Riders on the Storm 3104
Riders on the Storm
Genetic variation is the framework upon which evolution is based. Very simply, we all have genes that determine our every characteristic. Within any given population there should be a number of possible different genes that any one individual can have for any one characteristic. Let's say we are talking about eyelashes. The kind of eyelashes you have will be determined by the genes that you have that determine their characteristics. Long, short, thick, thin, dark, light and many other combinations, are all genetically determined. When changes occur in nature that might favor long eyelashes, those individuals with long eyelashes will survive more easily, while those with short eyelashes may not. It's an oversimplification, but it serves a purpose, so stick with me. Sometimes a species reaches a point where there is little genetic variation for a characteristic. In that case, all of the animals will have long eyelashes. When this occurs for many of that particular animal's genes it can be called a "genetic bottleneck." So what happens tomorrow if changes in nature make long eyelashes undesirable or downright deadly? That animal species, not having any other options because of a lack of variation in the gene, will die out, and quite possibly go extinct. So it's nothing to bat your eyelashes at!
Such is the plight of the fastest terrestrial animal in the world, the Cheetah. They may be fast but they can't outrun the trouble that is hidden in their genes. About 10,000 years ago a calamity caused the death of a major portion of the cheetah population. Those that survived all derived from a small group, leaving them with very little genetic variation. All cheetahs are so closely related that you can transplant skin from one cheetah to another without risk of rejection. Although it might seem to be a good thing, it really isn't. They are all at risk of the same diseases, and carry the same faulty traits. Male sperm quality is very poor making it harder for them to reproduce. 100 years ago there were over 100,000 cheetahs. Today, they number only about 12,000, and over half of cubs born to any given mother will not survive their first year. Add to that the problems associated with habitat loss, loss of potential prey, and losses due to hunting and the future for one of our favorite big cats isn't looking to rosy.
A mother cheetah and her fully grown cub cuddle in an area that has recently undergone a controlled Serengeti burn. It is dusk, light is low, and a large storm clouds have engulfed the area, swallowing up the remaining light. Rain is starting to fall, and clouds diffuse the evening sunset glow giving the skies an eerie, almost sinister look. The evening storm approaches quickly. They can't outrun it even with their great speed, just as they cannot outrun their lack of genetic diversity. Bigger storms lie ahead for the cheetah. Science and research may be their only savior. #iLoveNature #iloveWildlife #Wildlife in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Cheetahs #DrDADBooks #Canon #WildlifeConservation
Riders on the Storm 3104
Riders on the Storm
Genetic variation is the framework upon which evolution is based. Very simply, we all have genes that determine our every characteristic. Within any given population there should be a number of possible different genes that any one individual can have for any one characteristic. Let's say we are talking about eyelashes. The kind of eyelashes you have will be determined by the genes that you have that determine their characteristics. Long, short, thick, thin, dark, light and many other combinations, are all genetically determined. When changes occur in nature that might favor long eyelashes, those individuals with long eyelashes will survive more easily, while those with short eyelashes may not. It's an oversimplification, but it serves a purpose, so stick with me. Sometimes a species reaches a point where there is little genetic variation for a characteristic. In that case, all of the animals will have long eyelashes. When this occurs for many of that particular animal's genes it can be called a "genetic bottleneck." So what happens tomorrow if changes in nature make long eyelashes undesirable or downright deadly? That animal species, not having any other options because of a lack of variation in the gene, will die out, and quite possibly go extinct. So it's nothing to bat your eyelashes at!
Such is the plight of the fastest terrestrial animal in the world, the Cheetah. They may be fast but they can't outrun the trouble that is hidden in their genes. About 10,000 years ago a calamity caused the death of a major portion of the cheetah population. Those that survived all derived from a small group, leaving them with very little genetic variation. All cheetahs are so closely related that you can transplant skin from one cheetah to another without risk of rejection. Although it might seem to be a good thing, it really isn't. They are all at risk of the same diseases, and carry the same faulty traits. Male sperm quality is very poor making it harder for them to reproduce. 100 years ago there were over 100,000 cheetahs. Today, they number only about 12,000, and over half of cubs born to any given mother will not survive their first year. Add to that the problems associated with habitat loss, loss of potential prey, and losses due to hunting and the future for one of our favorite big cats isn't looking to rosy.
A mother cheetah and her fully grown cub cuddle in an area that has recently undergone a controlled Serengeti burn. It is dusk, light is low, and a large storm clouds have engulfed the area, swallowing up the remaining light. Rain is starting to fall, and clouds diffuse the evening sunset glow giving the skies an eerie, almost sinister look. The evening storm approaches quickly. They can't outrun it even with their great speed, just as they cannot outrun their lack of genetic diversity. Bigger storms lie ahead for the cheetah. Science and research may be their only savior. #iLoveNature #iloveWildlife #Wildlife in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Cheetahs #DrDADBooks #Canon #WildlifeConservation