Lulu the Lioness Review

It has all the genetic information for the males, females and cubs for four different genes. Using this information you can figure out that the actual parents had to contribute 1 allele each to the cub to prove a genetic possibility

Researchers found out that not all the cubs belong to the same mother and that lions can move among different prides frequently.

Many females in a pride raise their cubs communally, so genetic testing is necessary in order to determine who the exact parents are because many of the lions would have similar genetic traits showing high relatedness. Also, prides can relocate to other prides and breed with lions there.

There is an evolutionary advantage to raising the young together because this ensures that Lulu's genetic information will be passed along. Her cub is one of many cubs, so there is a safety in numbers. With more cubs, they have more help hunting.

Protection, group hunting, communal cub raising

Knowing parentage is important in zoo populations and endangered species. Zoologists and scientists are always trying to maximize the gene pools (the amount of genes available in a population) of zoo animals and endangered animals to prevent inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity. Diversity of genes gives more variation and therefore can sometimes help the species survive better. Zoos often work together within a network to achieve this.

An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.

Different forms of a gene

Non-living things that are found in the ecosystem such as rivers and mountains.

living things, such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material that carries information about an organism and is passed from parent to offspring.

A biological community of interacting living organisms and their nonliving physical environment.

unselfish regard for the welfare of others

Behavior by two or more individuals that leads to mutual benefit

An inherited characteristic that improves an individual's ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

A picture of all the chromosomes in a cell arranged in pairs.

the identity and origins of one's parents