Download Black-Footed Ferret Bottleneck Scenario

Black-Footed Ferret Bottleneck Scenario
Names of Team Members: Sayleana Donohue, Andrew
Hypothesis: If I observe a black footed ferret population for one year then, the
black footed ferret will survive.
Materials:
Procedures:
1. Recive a small amount of ‘genes’
2.
Data/Observations:
Key to Genetic Characteristics
Yellow
yellow
Black
black
Orange
orange
Pink
pink
Dark blue
dark blue
Green
green
Purple
purple
Red
Red
White
white
Camouflage
black ears and strips on hind legs
Precise Vision
color blind
Accurate sense of smell
no sense of smell
Strong claws and forearms
fragile claws
Healthy jaw formation
sharpened jaw bone
Agility
jumping
Acute hearing
sensitive hearing
Healthy rate of reproduction
excessive over population
Immunity to canine distemper
great immunity to cancer
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.
5
genes received / 9 original genes = .55___(decimal) x 100= _55___%
2. List the genetic characteristics (colors) that your population received through the
bottleneck.
Black
Orange
Pink
Green
White
3. List the genetic characteristics that your population lost when it came through the
bottleneck. (colors not received)
Yellow
Dark Blue
Purple
Red
4. Using the five environmental situations, write a prediction about what will happen
to your population during the coming year.
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?
Senario 7:
The black footed ferret population would survive the prairie dog epidemic
because they have the gene of accurate sense of smell, perfect vision, strong claws and
forearms and agility.
Senario 10:
The black footed ferret population would survive the great horned owl’s hunting
because they have the genes of, accurate sense of smell, perfect vision, strong claws and
forearms and agility.
Senario 12:
The black footed ferret population would survive because they have perfect
vision, agility and strong claws and forearms. And having more prairie dogs would mean
more food.
Senario 14:
The black footed ferrets would survive because they have the genes of strong
claws and forearms and agility thus they would be able to survive the strange ferret
infestation.
Senario 4:
The black footed ferrets would survive the new highway because they have
perfect vision thus with there ninja skills they would adapt to the new road.
Conclusion:
When observing a population of black footed ferrets for one year, I can conclude that the
ferrets would survive. Given the genetics of perfect vision, accurate smell, strong claws
and forearms, agility and immunity to canine distemper, the black footed ferret
population would be “fittest to survive.”
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: Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse
Reason for decline in population: Habitat- Deconstruction
Check your conclusion: The Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse is endangered because
its habitat is being threatened.
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.)
Senario 10:
With the resesive traits the Ferrets would survive because of the resesive trait of
incredibal jumping rate and sharpened jaw structure.