Question

The Etosha population is located in a National Park. Explain why the lions in this population may be genetically similar. (Consider how a population in a park is different than a wild population.)

a) Limited genetic diversity due to isolation.
b) High genetic diversity due to park breeding.
c) Natural selection leading to diversity.
d) Human intervention in breeding.

Answer 1

Lions in the Etosha population within a National Park may have limited genetic diversity due to isolation and the constraints of the park's boundaries, often leading to similar genetics within the population.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lions in the Etosha population located in a National Park may be genetically similar due to limited genetic diversity as a result of isolation. Unlike wild populations, the lions within a national park are confined to a limited space and have a restricted gene pool. This means that over time, due to a lack of new genes entering from outside, the genetic variation within the population may decrease. Additionally, national parks are often subjected to human intervention, which can include planned breeding programs. While these breeding programs aim to maintain the population, they can sometimes result in reduced genetic variance within the population, especially if the genetic pool is not carefully managed to avoid inbreeding.