Here are the questions from the "SZL B404: Population Genetics, PBL Scenario 2" along with
their
answers:
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1. Calculate the Genotypic and Allelic Frequencies Before and After the Arrival of the Beakbeak.
Answer:
Genotypic Frequency: The proportion of individuals with a particular genotype in the population.
Allelic Frequency: The proportion of each allele in the population.
Use the allele counting method to calculate these values.
Formulae:
Allele frequency of dominant allele (A):
p = \frac{(2 \times \text{AA individuals}) + (\text{Aa individuals})}{2 \times \text{total individuals}}
q=1-p
To complete this, you'd need to fill in the table with hypothetical population data and apply the
formulae. Let me know if you need help with sample calculations.
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2. Calculate the Absolute Fitness (W) for Each Caterpillar Colour Variation.
Answer:
Absolute fitness (W) represents the average number of offspring an individual of a specific phenotype
produces.
Formula:
W = \text{Survival Rate} \times \text{Reproductive Rate}
A higher W means the colour variation has better survival and reproduction.
A lower W means the variation is being selected against.
You’ll need survival and reproductive rate data from your table to calculate W for each caterpillar type.
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3. Calculate the Relative Fitness (w) for Each Caterpillar Colour Variation.
Answer:
Relative fitness (w) compares each phenotype’s fitness to the most successful phenotype.
Formula:
w = \frac{W}{W_{\max}}
The colour with w = 1 has the highest fitness.
Colours with w < 1 are less fit in the given environment.
This helps determine which phenotype is favored by natural selection.
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4. Analyse the Data and Explain the Population Shift.
Answer:
Since Beakbeaks prefer bright yellow caterpillars, they are being eaten more frequently.
This means the green caterpillars survive better and reproduce more, leading to an increase in their
numbers.
This is an example of natural selection, specifically directional selection, where one trait is favored over
another.
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5. Predict the Long-Term Evolutionary Trajectory of the Caterpillar Population.
Answer:
If predation pressure remains the same, green caterpillars will become dominant over generations.
If mutation or other factors allow yellow caterpillars to develop better camouflage or defenses, they
may persist.
If there is a cost to being green (e.g., reduced mating success), polymorphism (both colours coexisting)
might remain.
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6. Consider Other Factors Affecting Fitness Besides Predation.
Answer:
Food Availability: If certain colours are better at finding food, they might gain an advantage.
Climate: Different temperatures may favor different colours for thermoregulation.
Mate Selection: If mates prefer bright colours, yellow caterpillars could persist despite predation.
Parasites/Diseases: If a certain colour is more prone to disease, its numbers may drop.
These factors interact with predation to shape evolutionary outcomes.
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7. Design an Experiment to Test One of These Hypotheses.
Answer:
Hypothesis: Green caterpillars survive better due to predation pressure.
Experimental Design:
Set up two enclosures, one with Beakbeaks and one without.
Introduce equal numbers of yellow and green caterpillars.
After a set time, count the surviving caterpillars.
Predicted Result:
In the Beakbeak enclosure, green caterpillars will survive more.
In the no-predator enclosure, both colours may survive equally.
This experiment would confirm whether predation is the main driver of colour evolution.
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Would you like assistance with the calculations, or do you need further explanations?