Question

Applications of Evolution to Real Life

Cheetahs are currently listed on the endangered species list, and by some estimates, there are less than 100 animals left in the wild. Perhaps the greatest problem with preserving the cheetah species is that these animals are now almost genetically identical to one another (due to the bottleneck effect).

A) What are the problems associated with having such low genetic diversity?

B) Because of this problem, many biologists think that cheetahs are doomed to go extinct in the near future. Do you agree, why or why not?

C) If you think cheetahs can be saved, what conservation efforts will be necessary to save them?

D) Is there any way to increase genetic diversity in a local cheetah population? (For example, consider just the population of captive cheetahs in North American zoos.) How about in the global cheetah population?

Phylogenetics

What do phylogenetic trees tell us? What does the field of phylogenetics set out to learn?

Answer 1

A. Cheetahs with low genetic diversity have low sperm quality, health of a species is affected and are prone to diseases .

B. Cheetahs are doomed to be extinct in near future if proper comservation management efforts are not undertaken to improve the gene pool /genetic diversity of cheetah species.

C. Cheetahs can be saved if proper conservation measures will be taken. Reinforcement of rules and regulation related to anti poaching laws, accommodating them in a new environment away from hatms,continuous monitoring of cheetahs in a non invasive manner, educate people regarding the importance of cheetah in maintaining ecological balance and preventing human-cheetah conflicts can go a long way in managing and conserving cheetahs.

D. Ability to understand cheetah biology and genetics for mating can be utilised to improve genetic diverdity.For ex: if 1 cheetah is made to mate 3-4 different cheetahs on a scientific basis, gene pool can improve. If cheetahs are made captive/monitored well in the wild using radio telemetry or camera trap and proper nutritive diet and treatment is provided , lifespan can be increased to 17 years. Cryopreservation of sperm of healthy infivifualican also be done to improve their population in near future.

Global cheetah population is around 10000-12000 mainly in Africa and if proper conservation efforts are taken to manage their gene pool, their population will be managed.

Phylogenetics is study of evolutionary relationship amongst organisms /species utilising DNA sequences. It improves our understanding of how genes and genomes evolved amongst various species.It plays a vital role in conservation as to pinpoint which species are in position of becoming extinct.