What is the effect seen when the population of Mexican gray wolves decreased to a few individuals?

The situation described with the population of Mexican gray wolves refers to the bottleneck effect. This phenomenon occurs when a population's size is significantly reduced for at least one generation, leading to a loss of genetic diversity. When the Mexican gray wolves faced a dramatic decrease in their numbers, the reduced population resulted in a limited gene pool. Subsequently, this can lead to inbreeding, reduced genetic variation, and increased vulnerability to diseases and environmental changes.

The bottleneck effect has long-lasting impacts on the population, making it less adaptable in the face of environmental pressures. With only a few individuals left, the traits that are present in the remaining population become more common, which can affect the long-term survival and health of the population as a whole. In this context, the Mexican gray wolves exemplify how drastic declines in population sizes can significantly alter genetic and ecological dynamics.