Why are the gene pools of a small population reduced compared to those of larger populations?
Bottleneck events
Lack of advantageous treats
Lack of suitable mates
In breeding
There are several reasons why the gene pools of a small population are reduced compared to those of larger populations. One reason is bottleneck events, which occur when a large proportion of the population is suddenly eliminated, resulting in a reduced genetic diversity. This can lead to the loss of advantageous traits and increase the prevalence of harmful genetic mutations.
Another reason is the lack of suitable mates in a small population, which can result in inbreeding. Inbreeding can lead to a decrease in genetic diversity and an increase in the frequency of harmful genetic traits.
Overall, small populations are more susceptible to genetic drift and genetic bottlenecks, which can result in a reduction in genetic diversity and the loss of beneficial traits. This can make small populations more vulnerable to environmental changes and disease outbreaks.