Why is the cheetah gene pool small today? (1 point)
COURSE TOOLS
• inbreeding in zoos
O poor adaptability
• multiple bottleneck events
• lack of advantageous traits
The cheetah gene pool is small today due to multiple factors. One of the reasons is inbreeding in zoos, where cheetahs are often bred within a limited population, leading to a reduced gene pool. Inbreeding can result in a loss of genetic diversity and an increased risk of genetic disorders and diseases.
Furthermore, cheetahs have experienced multiple bottleneck events throughout their history. These events occur when the population size is greatly reduced, leading to a loss of genetic variation. Cheetahs have faced several population bottlenecks, including a major one around 10,000 years ago, which further reduced their genetic diversity.
Additionally, the cheetah gene pool is small today because of the lack of advantageous traits. Due to the reduced genetic diversity, cheetahs have a limited range of advantageous genetic variations that could help them adapt to changing environments. This low adaptive potential can further hinder their ability to survive and thrive in the face of environmental challenges.