Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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In this video, we look at genetic bottlenecks and the founder effect. First we explore what is meant by genetic drift and how the effects of genetic drift are particularly strong in small populations. We then look at how genetic bottlenecks and the founder effect can create small populations with limited genetic diversity.

Image credits:

Starling
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toulouse_-_Sturnus_vulgaris_-_2012-02-26_-_1.jpg
PierreSelim, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

White-tailed eagle
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_tailed_eagle_raftsund_square_crop.jpg
Christoph Müller (http://www.christophmueller.org), CC BY 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Desert
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acacia_in_Ein_Khadra_Desert_Oasis_00_(87).jpg
لا روسا, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rabbit with myxomatosis
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit_with_Myomatosis.jpg
Colin grice, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cheetah
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NorthWest_African_Cheetah_(14846381095).jpg
Steve Wilson - over 6 million views Thanks !! from Chester, UK, CC BY 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Northern elephant seal
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Elephant_Seal,_San_Simeon2.jpg
"Mike" Michael L. Baird, CC BY 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons