Download Black-Footed Ferret Bottleneck Scenario

Black-Footed Ferret Bottleneck Scenario
Names of Team Members:
Hypothesis: If I observe the black-footed ferret population for one year, then they
will adapt and survive.
Materials: Buttons and M&M’s
Procedures:
1. Received a few genes out of the gene pool.
2. Designated the genes received.
3.
Data/Observations:
Key to Genetic Characteristics
Yellow
Black
Orange
Pink
Dark blue
Green
Purple
Red
White
Camouflage
Precise Vision
Accurate sense of smell
Strong claws and forearms
Healthy jaw formation
Agility
Acute hearing
Healthy rate of reproduction
Immunity to canine distemper
On your Key to Genetic Characteristics, Highlight the COLORS and GENES that your
population received through the bottleneck.
Analysis:
1. Calculate the percentage of genetic diversity (heterozygosity) of your population.
Nine genes (colors) represent 100 percent genetic diversity in the original
population.
_4_ genes received / 9 original genes = __.4__(decimal) x 100= __40__%
2. List the genetic characteristics (colors) that your population received through the
bottleneck.
Red
Black
Yellow
White
3. List the genetic characteristics that your population lost when it came through the
bottleneck. (colors not received)
4. Using the five environmental situations, write a prediction about what will happen
to your population during the coming year.
7. I believe that the population will die down to very few and slowly reproduce itself.
The population is equipped to rebuild itself with a healthy rate of reproduction, good
eyesight, and great at hiding.
A low diversity level lowers the chances of reproduction.
Changes such as weather can affect the population.
10. Our population is well equipped to be able to go out at night because we have a
camouflage gene that makes it easier to hide from predators.
A low diversity level lowers the chances of reproduction.
If the moon was shining bright then predators can see them better.
2. Our population has the gene of great eyesight, which will help increase the chances
of survival.
A low diversity level lowers the chances of reproduction.
Multiple hawks could affect the chances of survival.
11. Our population doesn’t have an acute hearing gene, which will increase the
chance of being attacked.
A low diversity level lowers the chances of reproduction.
Multiple badgers can affect the chances of survival.
9. Our population doesn’t have the necessary gene to catch a prairie dog and take its
home for shelter.
A low diversity level lowers the chances of reproduction.
If there aren’t enough homes to try and take.
Is the population genetically equipped to survive in its environment? How well or
how poorly? How does a high or low percentage of genetic diversity affect the
population’s survival? How do random changes in the environment affect the
population?
Conclusion:
The genes that we had such as camouflage, great eyesight, high health rate of
reproduction, and immunities to canine dysfunction can overall help survival. But the
canine dysfunction will definitely affect the chances of survival. Our hypothesis was true.
Extension:
Research a threatened species found in our area. You can determine whether genetic
diversity within the species had an effect on its depletion. You should also examine
whether the species was placed on the threatened list because of degradation or loss of
habitat. Check your conclusions with the state’s natural resources agency or a local
office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Species: The Grizzly Bear
Reason for decline in population: Hunting and Poaching
Check your conclusion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly_bear
Honors Class:
Discuss the impact of dominant versus recessive traits. Recessive traits have a much
lower probability of becoming evident in the population unless the population becomes
small enough to interbreed and bring forth those recessive traits, or unless that trait makes
the animal better able to survive in its environment. Repeat the activity using two colors
for each genetic characteristic (to represent dominant and recessive traits). For instance,
dark blue beads could represent healthy jaw formation and light blue beads could
represent a jaw malformation or deformity. Also use separate containers for each
characteristic, and have students pick two beads form each of those containers. If the
group receives only recessive color beads for a characteristic, then the recessive trait will
be expressed. If the group receives only dominant color beads or if it receives a mix of
dominant and recessive color beads for that characteristic, then the dominant trait will be
expressed. (If the color selection of beads is limited, another token, such as colored paper
squares, may be used.)
Dark yellow
Green
Fire Orange
Hot Pink
Blue
Lime Green
Dark purple
Light Red
Gray
5.
white patch
color blind
can only smell tree bark
weak
cavities
hurt ankle
deaf
poor rate of reproduction
canine distemper