Q Review: Conceptual Analysis Biology - Remote Learning Plan
4. The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a species of mammal whose only wild population is native to the
isolated island of Tasmania, off the coast of Australia. Tasmanian devils have a very low level of genetic diversity
across the entire species. Researchers hypothesize this lack of diversity is the result of several genetic bottlenecks in
the species' history
In 1996 a new disease called devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) appeared in the wild Tasmanian devil population.
DFTD can spread from one animal to another and causes the death of most affected animals. The impact of DFTD
on the Tasmanian devil population has resulted in a decrease in the total population of more than 85% over the last
two decades.
(a) Describe the process that maintained a stable Tasmanian devil population size before the appearance of
DFTD in 1996.
(b) Explain how the huge reduction of the Tasmanian devil population since 1996 affects the susceptibility of
the current population to new diseases in comparison with the susceptibility of the population before 1996.
(c) Tasmanian devils are top predators and are considered a keystone species in their community. Predict the
effect of the rapid reduction of the Tasmanian devil population on the rest of the community.
(d) Justify the prediction of part (c).