The Barton Springs salamander is an endangered species found only in three adjacent springs in the city of Austin, Texas. There is growing concern that a chemical spill on a nearby freeway could pollute the spring and wipe out the species. To provide a source of salamanders to repopulate the spring in the event of such a catastrophe, a proposal has been made to establish a captive breeding population of the salamander in a local zoo. You are asked to provide a plan for the establishment of this captive breeding population, with the goal of maintaining as much of the genetic variation of the species as possible. What factors might cause loss of genetic variation in the establishment of the captive population? How could loss of such variation be prevented? With the assumption that only a limited number of salamanders can be maintained in captivity, what procedures should be instituted to ensure the long-term maintenance of as much variation as possible?

Question

Aditya Potter

Biology

25 July, 00:17

The Barton Springs salamander is an endangered species found only in three adjacent springs in the city of Austin, Texas. There is growing concern that a chemical spill on a nearby freeway could pollute the spring and wipe out the species. To provide a source of salamanders to repopulate the spring in the event of such a catastrophe, a proposal has been made to establish a captive breeding population of the salamander in a local zoo. You are asked to provide a plan for the establishment of this captive breeding population, with the goal of maintaining as much of the genetic variation of the species as possible. What factors might cause loss of genetic variation in the establishment of the captive population? How could loss of such variation be prevented? With the assumption that only a limited number of salamanders can be maintained in captivity, what procedures should be instituted to ensure the long-term maintenance of as much variation as possible?

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Arthur Caldwell · Answer 1

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Genetic variation loss occurs when a new population is made up of a small number of individuals belonging to a large group.

This is because there are fewer variations in a small group.

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Regular mating is needed so as to prevent the loss of genetic variation in a small group of individuals.

Mating involves meiosis and produces new combinations.