Lowland gorillas heading for genetic meltdown

[Still Waters]

Eastern lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have endured dramatic population declines in recent decades, leading to a startling lack of genetic diversity and a slew of harmful mutations, according to new research.

By comparing the genomes of living eastern lowland gorillas, also known as Grauer’s gorillas, with genomes derived from museum samples, researchers from the Swedish Museum of Natural History (SMNH) and Uppsala University have shown that genetic diversity is declining in the species, while inbreeding is increasing. This double-whammy is due to declining populations, and it’s causing an effect known as “temporal genomic erosion,” whereby the lack of genetic diversity is introducing deleterious mutations in Grauer’s gorillas, including fertility problems and a reduced capacity to ward of infectious diseases. 

https://earther.gizmodo.com/eastern-lowland-gorillas-heading-towards-genetic-meltdo-1831338998

[bigjim36]

They do have webbed feet there though 

[Jenn8779]

Very sad about this... I love gorillas. To me they are one of the most precious species we still have 

[Imaginarynumber1]

There are less than 4000 eastern lowland gorillas left. Unfortunately, due to their location, they probably wont be around for too much longer unless poaching and civil wars suddenly cease in the region. And now with worrying levels of inbreeding leading to fertility problems... 

Edited December 30, 2018 by Imaginarynumber1

[paperdyer]

Are webbed  feet a mutation or de-evolution?  If evolution, maybe the Gorillas are getting ready for Waterworld when all the ice caps melt.  Nature does take care of its own.

[Imaginarynumber1]

1 hour ago, paperdyer said:

Are webbed  feet a mutation or de-evolution?  If evolution, maybe the Gorillas are getting ready for Waterworld when all the ice caps melt.  Nature does take care of its own.

In this case it is a result of a lack of genetic diversity in the remaining population of eastern lowland gorillas.

[hehuntsbeaver]

First they're living in mountains, now they have sister wives? Soon they'll be brewing some fine corn liquor.