bottleneck effect
a reduction in the genetic diversity of a population caused by a reduction in its size
Bottleneck effect is a phenomenon that occurs when a large portion of a population is reduced to a small number of individuals, thus reducing the genetic diversity of the population. This can be caused by natural disasters, human activities, disease outbreaks or other factors that significantly reduce the size of a population.
As a result of the bottleneck effect, genetic drift occurs, which is the random fluctuation in the frequency of alleles (different forms of a gene) in a population. This can cause some alleles to become more common and others to disappear altogether, leading to a loss of genetic variation.
The bottleneck effect can have negative consequences for a population, as reduced genetic diversity can make it more difficult for the population to adapt to environmental changes or resist diseases. It can also increase the likelihood of inbreeding, which can lead to the expression of harmful recessive traits.
To prevent or mitigate the effects of the bottleneck effect, conservation efforts can be implemented, such as protecting habitats, implementing breeding programs, and reducing human activities that contribute to the reduction of populations.
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