The Dunkers are a religious group that moved from Germany to Pennsylvania in the mid-1700s. They do not marry with members outside their own immediate community. Today, the Dunkers are genetically unique and differ in gene frequencies, at many loci, from all other populations including those in their original homeland. Which of the following mechanisms likely explains the genetic uniqueness of this population?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The genetic uniqueness of the Dunkers is likely due to the founder effect, as they originated from a specific group of individuals with a limited gene pool. Genetic drift also played a role as chance events could have led to certain alleles becoming fixed in the population over time.

The Dunkers Are a Religious Group That Moved from Germany