The Common Reed Frog and Genetic Mutations
Genetic mutations within an organisms DNA can completely
change the chances of survival of the organism over time. This is because a
change in DNA could affect the phenotype or fitness it has in its environment.
The Common Reed Frog is a West African Frog that is very different from most
frog species. The Common Reed Frog can be found in subtropical or tropical dry
forests. Something this species is able to do that is very unique is to change
its sex in any single sex environment it is in in order to reproduce and keep
the population big enough to survive. This happened over many generations, due
to changes in its DNA structure; genetic mutations; allowing them to change
gender when the environment they were in made it difficult or impossible to
reproduce and keep the species fit for the environment. This could heavily
affect the population because it will allow them to survive longer, even when
there is only one sex in their population, because they could simply just
switch sexes and fix the issue.
Another mutation that helps the Common Reed Frog is that the
species has a large variety of colors. If the environment was to change, a
mutation in the DNA of the frog for its skin color could help the frog, or hurt
the frog in terms of camouflage. This possible mutation could help the species
hide more easily, or be much more visible to their predators. If the camouflage
is suited for the environment, then the species could grow and become much more
fit in the environment, and have no problem surviving. If the camouflage is
opposite of the environment, it could hurt their chances of survival, and make
it much more difficult, requiring them to work much harder for their survival.
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