Two populations of deer, one of them large and living in a mainland forest and the other small and inhabiting a forest on an island, regularly exchange members that migrate across a land bridge that connects the island to the mainland. If you compared the allele frequencies in the two populations, what would you expect to find?

Key Concepts

Allele Frequency

Allele frequency refers to how often a particular allele appears in a population compared to other alleles for the same gene. It is a key measure in population genetics, indicating genetic diversity and the potential for evolution. Changes in allele frequencies over time can signal evolutionary processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, or gene flow.

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material between populations through migration. In the context of the deer populations, the exchange of members across the land bridge allows for the mixing of alleles, which can lead to increased genetic diversity and potentially alter allele frequencies in both populations. This process can counteract the effects of genetic drift and local adaptation.

Population Structure

Population structure refers to the organization of a population in terms of genetic variation and the distribution of alleles. In this scenario, the mainland and island deer populations may exhibit different allele frequencies due to their distinct environments. However, regular migration between the two populations can lead to homogenization of allele frequencies, reducing differences over time.