Suppose a starting population contained six individuals. Each pair of individual

Question

Suppose a starting population contained six individuals. Each pair of individuals had a different genetic makeup (genotype) from the others (genotypes: G-1, G-2, and G-3). The genotypes vary with respect to reproductive rate and offspring survival. Suppose G-1 has 8 offspring that survive to reproduce, G-2 produces only 4 surviving offspring over its lifespan, and G-3 leaves 12 surviving offspring.

a) If the average individual produces 8 offspring by the end of its lifespan, will the reproductive differences among genotypes alter the population growth rate?

b) How would the reproductive differences among genotypes alter the genetic composition of the population by T9? And by T500? (Assuming at T0 we start with one individual of each genotype.)

c) Suppose that the genotypes have the same birth rates as shown above at low density, but genotypes 1 and 3 experience greater effects of density dependence on birth rate than 2. What might happen to the relative frequency of this genotype by T500?

Explanation / Answer

Yes, the reproductive differences among genotypes alter the population growth rate. As the genetic make-up for each individual is not the same.

As the offspring survival rates are high for G-3, it is expected that there will be more population growth rate by T9.

Survival rates of G-3 will be very high when compared with G-1 and G-2. The relative frequency of G-3 by T500 will be high and dominated over other genotypes.

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