population

Part 2 (200 points total)

This portion of the exam is comprehensive and will address topics discussed across the entire scope of the course. You will not be allowed to drop your score from this portion of the exam.

⦁ In and around 1979, there began a precipitous decline in wolf populations that might have otherwise not been predicted given the modest decline in moose populations several years earlier. It was found that one of the factors may have been decreased fitness of the wolf pack caused by spinal abnormalities in the sacral vertebrae, causing gross asymmetry in both the pelvis and spine and likely resulting in nerve damage to the hind legs. This image shown is a wolf skeleton showing this malformity between the S1 and S2 vertebrae and associated portions of the pelvis. This malformity is thought to be the consequence of inbreeding, whereby closely related members of a population (siblings, for example), breed and thus provide a greater likelihood that deleterious alleles will be expressed in the phenotype.

Given this background, go back and revisit the different species concepts we discussed at
the beginning of the course. With each of these species concepts, note that there is the premise that as long as a group of individuals in a population can either successfully reproduce (Biological), look close enough morphologically (Morphological) or share enough similarity in DNA sequences (Phylogenetic) that they can be classified as belonging to the same species.

Explain how a significantly inbred population, such as the Isle Royale wolf pack, would influence your use of each species concept in determining whether these wolves are, indeed, all members of the species Canis lupus (Gray Wolf)? (50 pts)

Your answer for Question 1 should take up no more than ½ a page
⦁ Would you expect the malformation described in the previous question to result in higher or lower evolutionary fitness of the Gray Wolf? Explain, linking to the idea of natural selection. (50 pts)

Your answer for Question 2 should take up no more than ½ a page

⦁ Describe the niche of both the Moose and the Gray Wolf from the perspectives of Grinnell AND Hutchinson. (50 pts)

Your answer for Question 3 should take up no more than ½ a page

⦁ Could the wolves be acclimated and/or adapted to eating moose on Isle Royale? Explain, connecting your answer to at least two different readings. (50 pts)

Your answer for Question 4 should take up no more than ½ a page