BIO 280 Wk 5 Discussion: Zoo Animals and Hybrids

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students.

Due Thursday

Respond to the ONE of the three questions below with a minimum of 175 words. This response must be in your own original words and should also include one properly cited and referenced passage from a relevant source.

In Week Five we get an overview of the importance of genetic diversity and role it plays in managing ecosystems. We also learn about zoos and botanical gardens and how they relate to the overall goals of Conservation Biology.    Consider the reading and activities that you have completed this week.

1) Are animals in zoos or aquariums better off than their counterparts in the wild? Why or why not? Choose an animal species and discuss relative levels of competition, parasites, disease loads, predation threats, animal psychology, and social relations in the wild versus in a zoo or aquarium. How would you relate this example to concepts of biotic integrity, biodiversity, and sustainability?

2) What are some consequences to the genetic structure of a population and the ecosystem in which the population is found if that population hybridizes with domestic or released organisms? What can be done to limit the potential for hybridization?

3) There have been many population management plans in the past that have backfired.

Summarize and discuss the article listed in the link below, in detail, and discuss why this plan should be implemented, or avoided. Explain your reasoning.

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/07/21/538470321/to-shrink-the-mosquito-population-scientists-are-releasing-20-million-of-them

Due Monday

Reply to at least two (2) of your classmates with relevant responses of at least 100 words. Each of these responses should add to the information provided by your classmate by either providing your personal experience or providing additional information and/or a new perspective. Cited/referenced material is not required, but should be added when applicable to support your relevant talking points.  Always be constructive and professional in your responses.

Please note:  A response that has been found to be cut/pasted from the text, an outside source or another classmate will be considered plagiarism, which is a serious form of academic dishonesty. Any student found to be plagiarizing will be reported to the University immediately.