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How would they avoid inbreeding and genetic mutations if only a single bloodline existed there?
by blindriver 2y ago
How would they avoid inbreeding and genetic mutations if only a single bloodline existed there?
- AlbertCory 2y agoI think the grizzlies will take care of that on their own. Either some bears from the island will swim to the mainland, or vice versa. Note: don't ask for a link on that. I just suspect animals prefer not to mate with their siblings.
- pentamassiv 2y agoThe article says "As the first known female grizzly on Vancouver Island, she could be the progenitor of an entirely new, self-sustaining grizzly population—the first in as many as 12,500 years". They might be waiting for a long time for other bears to come
- AlbertCory 2y agoThe authorities could always bring over some other ones, if that's really what they want. In any case, the drive to mate is pretty powerful. I would think a female in heat would swim back to the mainland if that was the only way to find a male.
- fbarred 2y agoFrom the article: 'On Vancouver Island—about 10 times closer to the mainland—the genetic diversity of any future grizzly population shouldn’t be a problem. As we’ve seen, “there’ll be males coming over to mix up the genes,” McLellan says. And now, perhaps, the odd female too."'
- t-3 2y agoInbreeding tends to solve itself in cases of problems. If the offspring aren't viable, they'll die.
- goodcanadian 2y agoFrom the article, males swim over fairly frequently, but usually leave again when they find no females. So, there is a regular opportunity to add to the gene pool. What is newsworthy is that there is now at least one female there (sexes of the cubs are unknown). I think it is still a big leap to assume that a sustainable population is inevitable, however, as the occasional visiting male still has to find the female(s) and the resulting population will still be quite inbred.