Biology ( includes abstract, intro, results, dissections ) - Lab Report Example

It was found from the comparison that the on average the northern population of Crotalus atrox has much greater heterozygosity than the southern population. Thus it can be considered that the northern population has more genetic variation than the southern population. Various reasons can be accounted for this genetic variation such as mutation in migration because of changed habitat, inbreeding within the southern population, as well as the genetic mechanisms such as genetic drift and gene flow bringing in forces like founder effect and population bottleneck.

Therefore it can be concluded that the highway construction has impacted the genetic variations of the populations of Crotalus atrox. Crotalus atrox is an eminent species in semiarid communities, deserts of North America and reside in various regions. Although this specific rattlesnake’s species are not regarded as endangered, however, investigating this species will aid in the development of better protection and conservation practices (Brennan, 2008). The heterozygosity of Crotalus atrox, the Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake’s two populations has been explored in order to ascertain if any change has occurred within the microsatellite diversity amongst the chosen two populations of Crotalus atrox.

Investigation of microsatellite diversity leads to better comprehension of genetic fitness and variation within the species. It also provides an opportunity to penetrate on ways of conservation to prevent endangerment caused by the human made (anthropogenic) barriers, which are introduced into the natural habitats. There have been various studies done to explore the influence of anthropogenic barriers on the lives of various organisms. Landscape genetics reveals the way landscape features may impact the population structure by associating genetic discontinuities with environmental or landscape features.

These features include climatic, edaphic, biotic and other