Weird Wild Animal Facts

Sherry Seethaler

Condor Kissing Cousins

We know of the heroic efforts being made by zoologists and conservationists in rebuilding populations of certain animal species that are on the verge of becoming extinct. These populations are often rebuilt from very small numbers of individuals. What risks do these populations face as a result of this lack of genetic diversity? The rebuilding of the California condor population is a case in point. What effect is the lack of genetic diversity likely to have? Can genetic diversity ever evolve in such a case?

Genetic diversity enables populations to respond to the pressures posed by environmental changes. A variety of studies have shown that a reduction in genetic diversity has negative ...