Problem:
What you're doing:
Writing a short paper on how the extinction vortex and genetic drift impact your course project species (African Wild Ass).
Why you're doing it:
This assignment draws from the Frankham chapter and will directly support Section 2 of your course project.
What you need to know:
The extinction vortex is a concept (and unfortunate fact) that is an important part of conservation genetics for small populations. Although the Frankham chapter we read this week didn't explicitly go into the implications for zoo populations, there are strong similarities between captive populations and small populations in the wild. You can relate what Frankham said in this week's chapter directly to the ideas presented by Lacy from last week's readings. Need Assignment Help?
Instructions:
Write a short 250-500 word paper on how the extinction vortex and genetic drift can impact the species (African Wild Ass) you have selected for your final assignment, both in the wild and in captivity. You should hit on at least three interconnected points from the Frankham chapter (e.g. the relationship between the loss of genetic diversity and extinction or the relationship between inbreeding and the loss of genetic diversity) and submit as a pdf.
Provide at least one citation of a peer reviewed source. This can include the Frankham chapter.