The wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is a small, long-lived turtle that is endangered through much of its range in North America. As their populations shrink in size, it becomes even more difficult for turtles to find mates, and small populations have steadily become smaller. What best describes what the wood turtles in small populations are experiencing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The wood turtles in small populations are experiencing an extinction vortex, which is a feedback loop where a small population size leads to decreased genetic variability and reproductive fitness, which in turn leads to further decline in population size and genetic diversity. As populations get smaller, it becomes harder for individuals to find mates, increasing the risk of inbreeding and the expression of deleterious genetic traits.

The Wood Turtle (Glyptemys Insculpta) Is a Small, Long-Lived Turtle