As a result of habitat fragmentation, a small population of leopards becomes isolated from the larger original population. As time progresses, are allele frequencies and genetic variation expected to differ between the original population and the isolated population? If so, describe how and why they will differ.
Answer: Yes. The allele frequencies would differ.
Explanation:
It is given that a small group of leopards was isolated from its main population due to habitat fragmentation. This small group contains limited genetic variation (compared to the main group) and undergoes inbreeding. This small group serves as the 'founder group' for the entire leopard population in the new habitat. This group may be subjected to differential selection pressure compared to the main group as they both inhabit different areas. So, the small group would accumulate new mutations and may exhibit new traits over the course of evolution.
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