Exam paper for second semester (Supplementary Exam

King, P., Prof.

Teske, P., Prof.

Van Vuuren, B., Prof.

Name not available

 
 
 
 
 
FACULTY OF SCIENCE 
 
 
 
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY 
 
  
 MODULE   CONSERVATION GENETICS (ZOO 0098) 
       
            CAMPUS          APK 
 
            EXAM              SUPPLEMENTARY EXAM 2015 
 
 
 
 
DATE: 3 DECEMBER 2015      SESSION: 8:30   
 
ASSESSOR(S)                           Prof B van Vuuren 
 
INTERNAL MODERATOR      Prof P Teske 
 
EXTERNAL MODERATOR      Prof P King 
 
DURATION 3 HOURS                MARKS    100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NUMBER OF PAGES:  2 PAGES 
 
 
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS:   Answer all the questions. 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Question 1 
 
The Karkloof blue butterfly is one of South Africa's more endangered butterfly species. The species 
occurs as a few fragmented and small populations in the Pietermaritzburg region. A genetic study 
indicates that these population fragments are genetically distinct from one another (i.e., the 
populations are genetically differentiated).  
 
You have secured a small piece of land and wish to establish a new population of Karkloof blue 
butterfly. You could either take a few individuals from each population fragment to establish the 
new population, or draw all the individuals from the same source population. Critically discuss the 
advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and fully motivate which one you believe to be 
the better choice. 
(30) 
 
 
Question 2 
 
The majority of species today exist as small isolated populations. Explain in detail how fragmented 
populations should be managed to ensure long-term survival. In your discussion, include any 
possible alternative approaches, and include the advantages and disadvantages of these. 
(30) 
 
Question 3 
 
One of the first analyses a conservation biologist performs in assessing the conservation need and 
appropriate management strategy of potentially threatened populations is to determine whether 
populations are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.  
 
What does this test tell us about population dynamics, and what processes / events influence the 
outcome of this test? How important do you believe each of these processes / events are to 
potentially threatened populations? 
 (20) 
 
Question 4 
 
Genetic rescue is a controversial topic which should only be considered as a last resort.  
 
Explain in detail what you understand by the term genetic rescue, when you would deem it an 
appropriate conservation tool, and discuss the possible positive and negative effects of genetic 
rescue. Provide an example of genetic rescue in nature, and detail the positive and negative 
outcomes of this action in the wild population (i.e., in your example). 
(20) 
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Conservation Genetics

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Conservation Genetics

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