Due to mutation and reproduction as well as ability of some organisms to survive, thrive and reproduce brought about changes in allele frequency as seen in the changes occurring at Locus 1048 and 1166.
<h3>Allele and allele frequency </h3>
- An allele is one of an alternate form of a gene.
- Allele frequency is the percentages of each of the different alleles of a particular gene in a population.
Changes in allele frequency that occur over time because of one or more evolutionary factors such as:
- genetic drift,
- gene flow,
- mutation,
- non-random mating,
- selection, etc.
The change in allele in the sea star wasting disease was due to genetic drift which are random change in allele frequencies that occurs in small populations occurring due to such factors as disease.
<h3>Evidence of allele frequency change in sea star wasting disease</h3>
1. Mutation and reproduction results in a variety of genes passed on and carries by individuals of a population.
- The changes that occcured at gene Locus 1048 and 1166 due to mutation helped the post-SSWD starfish to survive and reproduce giving rise to offspring with those changes.
2. Organisms who can survive, thrive, and reproduce will increase in number.
The about 20% post-SSWD starfish that survived due to the change in their allele were able to survive and reproduce rapidly giving rise to offspring such that the individuals in the population have almost risen to pre-SSWD numbers.
Therefore, due to mutation and reproduction as well as ability of some organisms to survive, thrive and reproduce brought about changes in allele frequency as seen in the changes occurring at Locus 1048 and 1166.
Learn more about mutation and evolution at: brainly.com/question/14438201
