Summary of Selection for Tuskless Elephants | HHMI BioInteractive Video

The video discusses the phenomenon of tusklessness in elephant populations, particularly in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, where researchers have observed a significant increase in tuskless female elephants as a consequence of historical poaching. The key scientific concepts and discoveries presented in the video include:

Tusk Characteristics

Tusks are elongated teeth that grow throughout an elephant's life.
elephants use their tusks for various purposes, including stripping bark from trees and digging for water and minerals.
Male elephants use tusks in contests for mating access, making tusks critical for male survival.

Impact of Poaching

During the civil war in Mozambique (1977-1992), over 90% of Gorongosa's elephants were killed for their ivory.
tuskless females had a higher survival rate during the war, leading to an increase in tuskless offspring.
In populations less affected by poaching, tuskless females make up only 2-6% of the total.

Genetic and Evolutionary Implications

Tusklessness is an inherited trait, similar to other physical characteristics.
Post-war surveys indicated that 33% of females aged 10 to 20 are tuskless, while no tuskless males have been found.
tuskless elephants are now at an advantage due to reduced poaching pressure targeting tusks.

Broader Ecological Changes

The ongoing demand for ivory is driving complex changes in elephant populations, including declining numbers and alterations in physical traits due to selective pressures.

Researchers and Sources Featured:

Joyce Pool
Gorongosa Restoration Project
Various unnamed local scientists and colleagues

Notable Quotes

— 05:44 — « In this day and age now, with all the poaching that's going on, actually the tuskless elephants are at an advantage because they are not being targeted for their tusks. »

— 05:59 — « The insatiable demand for Ivory is driving complex changes in elephant populations. »