Page 62 - CB1.3 Genetic Varation sciPAD

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62 CB 1.3 GENETIC VARIATION
GENETICS OF POPULATIONS
Hints for answering
these questions
Define 'genetic
variation'.
Consider what
genetic variation
means for the
ability of a species
to adapt to new or
changing conditions
(i.e climate
change, new
diseases,introduction
of predators, etc.).
How would this
apply to the takahē,
especially given its
limited population?
4. The takahē, a flightless bird endemic to New Zealand, is an
extraordinary creature with a captivating history. Once
believed to be extinct, this bird was rediscovered in
1948 in the remote Murchison Mountains, part of
Fiordland National Park. The takahē's vibrant blue and
green plumage and robust red beak make it easily
recognisable.
Despite its remarkable recovery, the takahē remains
endangered, with a current population of 475
individuals. Yet, its journey towards recovery has faced
significant setbacks. For example, the takahē population
dramatically plummeted from 400 to just 118 in 1982, largely
due to competition for food with wild deer and predation by stoats
and weasels.
In a bid to protect this vulnerable species, relocating birds to offshore islands has
become a crucial component of New Zealand's conservation strategy for the
takahē. Being flightless and having a limited population make the takahē particularly
susceptible to threats like predation and habitat loss. Offshore islands serve as
sanctuaries, generally free from mammalian predators like stoats and rats, and thus
offer a safer environment for the takahē to live and breed.
Explain how the concept of genetic variation is relevant to the conservation of the
takahē. In your answer,you should:
•
Discuss why a genetically diverse population is important for the long-term survival
of the takahē.
•
Describe the genetic implications of a population bottleneck in terms of takahē
conservation.
•
Describe the founder effect and discuss how this genetic principle could come
into play when conservationists are relocating takahē to offshore islands.























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