Nothing like a good debate!!!


I like the key words "not disturbed". That would be great...I wish it would only happen that way.McEve wrote:Given the slow reproduction rate of the Zebra I can't see how they would manage to replenish the numbers in only 2-3 years. That's only one generation. Surely it would take at least 3-4 generations before they have reestablished any consiberable amount of fish, so we're talking 10 years rather than 2-3, if they are left alone and not disturbed in any way?
This is given the best possible scenario, with no fatalities and optimal conditions (no preying fish, no disease, in short - no fatalities at all)Des wrote:McEve,
Doesnt numbers in 2 years depend on whats left now.The more that are left, the quicker they will replenish.
If (and thats a big IF) each pair have 2 clutches per season of approx 15 youngsters per brood ie 30 per pair. After a year if there have been no fatalities, there will be 15 times more zebras.
If (just for the sake of this calculation)there are a 1000 adults left ( half of each sex) , theoretically you get 15000 after a year.
However if there are a 100 left or 50 pairs,you get 1500 after a year, so the more that are removed at this time the worse it gets.
These figures are dependent on the calculation above and of course will vary on the numbers in each brood and the number of broods per season.
If for example there is only one brood per season and only 10 survive this gives you 5 times more zebras after a year.
Theoretically this number will double the following year.The year after that, the babies born 2 years previously will be learning about the birds and the bees, and help boost the numbers yet again.
Regards,
Des.