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Map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dBQxnI_rjCmLrG-KpEqUeuriPTgJP-An/view
Squirrel Image: https://mammalsandmore.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/squirrel-eating-acorn.jpg

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Due to habitat isolation, genetic bottleneck, and genetic drift, the Nimbus species has evolved from the Longu species. This was the result over many years and events that lowered the Nimbus' ability to survive and thrive. The Longu species was the original species that has been able to survive throughout these years. However, due to the changes in phenotypes and genotypes, the Nimbus and Longu do not mate together. This makes it much more difficult to find a way to save the Nimbus, but we will continue to look for a way to save them.

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The Unfortunate Tale of the Nimbus: A Field Study of the Evolution of the Nimbus Rodent

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The Unfortunate Tale of the Nimbus: A Field Study of the Evolution of the Nimbus Rodent

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Lauren Sun
Period 1B

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We've done it! We've figured it out! Genetic drift and adaptation are the answers to our questions.

Because of the tropical storm and resulting flood, there must have been a lack of prey and nutrients that the species needed to survive. A mutation must have occurred somewhere during that time which resulted in the Nimbus' ability to jump higher, run faster, reproduce faster and overall be more agile and nimble. This would increase their chances of survival. Because their genes mutated, genetic drift occurred and the frequency of the original genotype of the species on St. Kitts decreased in order to favor the new species of the Nimbus.

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Observations and Notes 3 - April 30 - 1969

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Observations and Notes 3 - April 30 - 1969

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We've traveled further inland on St. Kitts and have found many remnants of a tropical storm that the ecosystem has not recovered from. We've seen rotting logs, fallen trees, and more.

After much analysis and discussion, we have come to the conclusion that a genetic bottleneck has occurred that further reduced the ability of the Nimbus animals to survive. The tropical storm must have wiped out many resources that the rodent species needed to survive, such as food, shelter, and clean water. It also must have led to the deaths of many individuals since they are so small. The dramatic decrease in population size and the lack of resources previously relied on would also help explain why the Nimbus are not thriving.

The flood doesn't seem to have affected the island of Nevis, and therefore, the Longu population was not disturbed by the natural disaster like the Nimbus were.

This doesn't explain how the two species could have evolved from one though.

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The difference in habitats may have resulted in mutations that caused the creation of the two different species. My team and I will continue to explore this possibility through more observations.

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Observations and Notes 2 - April 17, 1969

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Observations and Notes 2 - April 17, 1969

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My team and I believe that we are correct in that the islands were connected by a small plot of land. We have visited both islands multiple times, and we have seen the same species of plants on the areas that are marked on the map.

This split between the islands has likely caused prezygotic reproductive isolation in the form of habitat isolation which contributed to the evolution of the two species. We believe that the Longu was the original species and the Nimbus evolved from them. After the islands split apart, it is highly likely that environment of the island of St. Kitts was not able to sustain as many members of the species. Thus, those on the St. Kitts island had lower chances of reproducing because they were isolated from their original homes. This lead to a smaller population.

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We believe the islands could have been connected at one point but are now separated. More thoughts on this theory later.

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Longu: animal from Nevis
Nimbus: animal from St. Kitts

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Observations and Notes 1 - April 2, 1969

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Observations and Notes 1 - April 2, 1969

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-The Longu and the Nimbus seem to be in the genus within the squirrel family.
-So far, there have been 240 attempts to bring the Longu to St. Kitts in order to save the population of the Nimbus.
-My team and I have spent the past few months observing these rodents
-Despite high hopes, the two species don't seem to be mating with each other as we expected.
-Physical attributes have been recorded to determine differences in the species for further understanding.

Signed,
Dr. Gerald