Question

Consider three facts: (i) Loss of heterozygosity may be especially detrimental at MHC loci, because allelic variability at these loci enhances disease re- sistance; (ii) Microsatellite loci show that the gray wolves on Isle Royale, Michigan, are highly in- bred (Wayne et al. 1991); (iii) This wolf popula- tion crashed during an outbreak of canine parvo- virus during the 1980s. How might these facts be linked? What other hypotheses could explain the data? How could you test your ideas?

Answer 1

The gray wolf population crash on Isle Royale may be linked to inbreeding leading to loss of heterozygosity at critical MHC loci, reducing disease resistance and increasing susceptibility to the parvovirus outbreak.

Step-by-step explanation:

The facts you've provided are interconnected and can suggest several hypotheses about the gray wolf population crash on Isle Royale. Fact (i) alerts us to the importance of genetic diversity, particularly at MHC loci for disease resistance. Fact (ii) indicates the wolf population is highly inbred, leading to reduced genetic variation at these critical loci. Fact (iii) mentions an outbreak of canine parvovirus that coincided with the population crash.

Alternatives could include environmental changes or new predators increasing mortality or stress. Testing these hypotheses could involve analyzing genetic samples from the wolves for levels of genetic diversity, studying historical environmental data, or observing the presence of new threats to the wolves' survival.