Download Black-Footed Ferret Bottleneck Scenario

Black-Footed Ferret Bottleneck Scenario
Names of Team Members:
Hypothesis: (Scenario 3.) Since the ferrets have lots of prairie dogs to feed off of,
and have lots of camouflage, it will become easier to hunt the prairie dogs, And
because of great vision, the ferrets will have no problem seeing the prairie dogs, as
well as a strong jaw to help them consume the prairie dogs. The ferrets will survive.
(Scenario 13) Without the use of strong claws and forelegs, it might make
catching the prairie dogs much harder, therefore reducing the food availability. But
with strong jaws and keen vision, as well as camouflage, they will survive, but not
flourish.
(Scenario 2) The ferrets have lots of camouflage, and great eyesight, so I
predict the ferrets will be able to avoid the eagles and survive.
(Scenario 1.) With a limited food source, and weak legs and claws,
catching the few prairie dogs that still survive there would be difficult, but with
keen vision and lots of camouflage, the ferret population will diminish, but a few
may survive.
(Scenario 7.) With weak claws and fore les, catching prairie dogs would
be difficult, so I predict the ferret population will become extinct, or at least severely
diminish. If the ferrets realize there is no mood, they might migrate to a new area,
and in doing so survive.
Materials: Scenario, genes (buttons and M&Ms of different colors), work sheet.
Procedures: Obtain genes. Make hypothesis. Then make an analysis.
Data/Observations:
Key to Genetic Characteristics
Yellow
yellow
Black
black
Orange
orange
Pink
pink
Dark blue
dark blue
Green
green
Purple
purple
Red
red
Camouflage
spots
Precise Vision
loss of eyesight at ate 15
Accurate sense of smell
Super sense of smell
Strong claws and forearms
muscles of iron
Healthy jaw formation
Sharper teeth
Agility
Arthoritis at age 14
Acute hearing
born deaf
Healthy rate of reproduction
Exceled birth rate
White
white
Immunity to canine distemper
Immune to all disease.
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 (heterozygosis) of your population.
Nine genes (colors) represent 100 percent genetic diversity in the original
population.
___5___ genes received / 9 original genes = 0.5555(decimal) x 100= 55%
2. List the genetic characteristics (colors) that your population received through the
bottleneck.
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.
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:
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:
Reason for decline in population:
Check your conclusion:
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 6. I think that even with loss of eyesight, I believe that the original population
would survive, because the have much sharper teeth, and a great population.