The Serengeti region of Africa contains a population of cheetahs and a population of lions studies have shown that the cheetah population has very low genetic diversity, while the genetic diversity of the lion population is quite high. The cheetah population is also much smaller than the lion population both populations are vulnerable to infection with a particular virus that can be fatal in both species what is most likely the outcome if both populations are infected with this virus?

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Lizeth

Biology

16 November, 03:43

The Serengeti region of Africa contains a population of cheetahs and a population of lions studies have shown that the cheetah population has very low genetic diversity, while the genetic diversity of the lion population is quite high. The cheetah population is also much smaller than the lion population both populations are vulnerable to infection with a particular virus that can be fatal in both species what is most likely the outcome if both populations are infected with this virus?

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Ronan Kane · Answer 1

High genetic diversity and a large population can protect the lion population from being wiped out completely. Those lions whose genetics offer them protection from the virus may be immune. The small genetic diversity and low population of the cheetahs could leave the cheetah population with only a handful of immune individuals.