Migration

Migration is defined as the movement of individuals from one local population (deme) to another, resulting in the transfer of genetic information (alleles) between populations and directly altering their gene pools.

• When an organism migrates, it removes its genetic information from its original population and adds it to the new one.
• This movement directly alters the gene pool and allele frequencies of both populations, particularly if the migrating individual carries rare alleles.
• Even a minor extent of migration is sufficient to constantly change the gene pool, as long as alleles are continuously entering or leaving.

• Severe Inbreeding: Breeding between closely related individuals drastically reduces genetic diversity.
• This loss of genetic diversity puts many captive animal populations in zoos at high risk of extinction.
• Similarly, major domesticated crops (such as corn, wheat, and rice) face significant risks due to their reduced genetic diversity, making them highly vulnerable.

• Migration involves the movement of individuals between populations, directly altering the genetic makeup of both the origin and destination groups.
• The continuous transfer of individuals shifts allele frequencies and gene pools, particularly when rare genetic information is introduced.
• Even minimal levels of ongoing migration are sufficient to drive evolutionary change by exchanging alleles between populations.
• Restricted gene flow and severe inbreeding drastically reduce genetic diversity, endangering captive animal populations and modern domesticated crops.
• Gene banks are established to preserve the wild relatives of crops, securing essential genetic variety against future agricultural and environmental threats.