a sudden reduction in a population’s genetic diversity due to a sudden decrease in a population
bottlenecking
A sudden reduction in a population’s genetic diversity due to a sudden decrease in population is known as a genetic bottleneck. It happens when a population is suddenly faced with a catastrophic event such as a drought, disease outbreak, or natural disaster that significantly reduces the population size.
During this event, only a small subset of the population survives, and as a result, the remaining population’s genetic diversity drastically decreases. This genetic bottleneck can have long-term negative effects on the population, as the reduced genetic diversity reduces the population’s ability to adapt to future environmental changes or other challenges.
In addition, the loss of genetic diversity during a genetic bottleneck can lead to a higher incidence of genetic diseases and reduced reproductive fitness due to inbreeding. Thus, genetic bottlenecks can pose a significant threat to the long-term survival of a population, and it is crucial to take steps to prevent or mitigate their occurrence.
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