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The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a species of mammal whose only wild population is native to the isolated island of Tasmania, off the coast of Australia. Tasmanian devils have a very low level of genetic diversity across the entire species. Researchers hypothesize this lack of diversity is the result of several genetic bottlenecks in the species’ history. In 1996 a new disease called devil facial tumor disease (DFTDDFTD) appeared in the wild Tasmanian devil population. DFTDDFTD can spread from one animal to another and causes the death of most affected animals. The impact of DFTDDFTD on the Tasmanian devil population has resulted in a decrease in the total population of more than 85% over the last two decades. (a) Describe the process that maintained a stable Tasmanian devil population size before the appearance of DFTDDFTD in 1996. (b) Explain how the huge reduction of the Tasmanian devil population since 1996 affects the susceptibility of the current population to new diseases in comparison with the susceptibility of the population before 1996. (c) Tasmanian devils are top predators and are considered a keystone species in their community. Predict the effect of the rapid reduction of the Tasmanian devil population on the rest of the community. (d) Justify the prediction of Part c
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a species of mammal whose only wild population is native to the isolated island of Tasmania, off the coast of Australia. Tasmanian devils have a very low level of genetic diversity across the entire species. Researchers hypothesize this lack of diversity is the result of several genetic bottlenecks in the species’ history. In 1996 a new disease called devil facial tumor disease (DFTDDFTD) appeared in the wild Tasmanian devil population. DFTDDFTD can spread from one animal to another and causes the death of most affected animals. The impact of DFTDDFTD on the Tasmanian devil population has resulted in a decrease in the total population of more than 85% over the last two decades. (a) Describe the process that maintained a stable Tasmanian devil population size before the appearance of DFTDDFTD in 1996. (b) Explain how the huge reduction of the Tasmanian devil population since 1996 affects the susceptibility of the current population to new diseases in comparison with the susceptibility of the population before 1996. (c) Tasmanian devils are top predators and are considered a keystone species in their community. Predict the effect of the rapid reduction of the Tasmanian devil population on the rest of the community. (d) Justify the prediction of Part c
(a) The stable population size of Tasmanian devils before the appearance of Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) in 1996 was likely maintained by a balance between birth rates and death rates within the population.Tasmanian devils are known to have adapted to their environment on the island of Tasmania, where they functioned as apex predators, controlling the populations of smaller animals.(b) The huge reduction in the Tasmanian devil population since 1996 significantly affects the susceptibility of the current population to new diseases compared to the population before 1996. The severe reduction in population size has led to a loss of genetic diversity due to genetic bottlenecks, making the current population more genetically homogeneous.(c) The rapid reduction of the Tasmanian devil population, a keystone species in their community, is likely to cause ecological disruptions. As top predators, Tasmanian devils played a significant role in regulating the population sizes of their prey species.(d) The prediction in Part c is justified because keystone species, such as Tasmanian devils, have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystems. Their decline can cause imbalances in population dynamics and disrupt the trophic structure, leading to a chain reaction of ecological changes throughout the community....