Neutral variant of feather color in snow geese | Homework Help

Question: A neutral variant of feather color in snow geese, called “blue phase,” is caused by an unknown genetic variant. The less common blue phase results from a single dominant gene while the common white phase is homozygous recessive. When choosing a mate, young birds will most often select a mate that resembles their parents’ coloring; if the birds were hatched by a mixed pair, they will mate with either color phase. Imagine you figured out which gene controls white/blue plumage color, and label variants as bb (for white) and BB, Bb (both blue). You are able to sample from a large population making a migration stop at Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (near Roberts), and find 5 BB, 2 Bb, and 35 bb individuals. Test for HW equilibrium and draw conclusions about forces acting on the population.