Skip to main content
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Español
  • Site Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • BioInteractive Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

The Genetics of Tusklessness in Elephants

Topic

  • Genetics
  • Genomics
  • Evolution
  • Population Genetics
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Science as a Social Process

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Scientists at Work

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:05:14
View corresponding transcript
Saved By
17 Users
Share This

Description

This video follows scientists working in Gorongosa National Park as they try to determine the genes responsible for tusk development in elephants.

Normally, more than 90% of female African elephants have tusks. But in Gorongosa National Park, which has a history of heavy poaching, over 50% of the elephants are tuskless. To study this striking phenomenon, scientists are trying to determine the genes involved in tusk development and how variations in these genes can lead to tusklessness. In this video, biologist Shane Campbell-Staton walks through the steps of collecting DNA samples from elephants in Gorongosa and how he plans to analyze their DNA sequences. 

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.

Key Terms

Africa, DNA sequence, genome, Gorongosa, microevolution, natural selection, poaching, teeth, tusks

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Video files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 02.04.21

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS3.B, HS-LS4.B, HS-LS4.C

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.E, EVO-1.F, EVO-3.A

IB Biology (2016)

5.2, C.3

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.1, 2.6, 9.10

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC5

Materials

Transcript (PDF) 246 KB
Film 1080p (M4V) 530 MB
Film 1080p (WMV) 202 MB
Film 720p (M4V) 84 MB
Film 720p (WMV) 257 MB

Use This Resource With

Interactive Media Resource
Interactive Video Builder

Related Science News

Why no tusks? Poaching tips scales of elephant evolution

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About Elephants

Showing of
A herd of elephants, none of which have tusks
Scientists at Work
Selection for Tuskless Elephants
Image from the film of elephants by a body of water
Scientists at Work
The Great Elephant Census
Photo of elephant without tusks
Phenomenal Images
Mystery of the Missing Tusks
Image from the film of a survey plane flying over land.
Click & Learn
Survey Methods
Image from the interactive of poached elephant tusks
Click & Learn
CSI Wildlife
Image from the activity
Data Points
Using Genetic Evidence to Identify Ivory Poaching Hotspots
Image from the interactive showing outlines of two elephants.
Click & Learn
How Animals Use Sound to Communicate
Photo of elephants in the wild
Lessons
Using Data to Investigate Elephant Evolution
Bar graph taken from the resource
Lessons
Analyzing Data on Tuskless Elephants
Photo of an elephant
Lessons
Developing an Explanation for Tuskless Elephants
Photo of an elephant
Interactive Videos
Interactive Case Study for Studying Elephant Communication
Image from the film of a group of elephants
Scientists at Work
Studying Elephant Communication

Other Resources About Gorongosa

Showing of
Image from the interactive
Animations
Gorongosa's Water Cycle
Image of a researcher working at his computer from the film
Scientists at Work
Think Like a Scientist: Gorongosa
Close-up photo of an ant from the video
Scientists at Work
Surveying Ant Diversity in Gorongosa National Park
Illustration of a termite mound from the video
Animations
How Termites Enrich Ecosystems
Image of EO Wilson and Tonga Torcida from the film
Short Films
The Guide: A Biologist in Gorongosa
Image of Rob Pringle holding a tracking antenna
Scientists at Work
Niche Partitioning and Species Coexistence
Image of researcher writing an equation
Scientists at Work
Analyzing Patterns in the Savanna Landscape
Image of E.O. Wilson from the film
Film Activities
Activity for The Guide: A Biologist in Gorongosa
Image of an animal drinking from a watering hole
Lessons
Building Ecological Pyramids
Photo of a lion taken from a trail camera
Click & Learn
WildCam Lab
Photo of animals drinking from a watering hole
Lessons
Biodiversity Studies in Gorongosa
Sable antelope
Lessons
Scientific Inquiry and Data Analysis Using WildCam Gorongosa
Graph from the activity
Lessons
Exploring Biomes in Gorongosa National Park
Trail camera image of a lion
Click & Learn
WildCam Gorongosa
Varias cebras sobre un pastizal.
Card Activities
Creating Chains and Webs to Model Ecological Relationships
Image of a map from the interactive.
Click & Learn
Gorongosa National Park Interactive Map
Image of the timeline from the interactive
Click & Learn
Gorongosa Timeline
Image of a researcher touching blades of grass
Scientists at Work
Surveying Gorongosa's Biodiversity

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Image of Howie
3D Models
Howie
Photo montage of the scientists from the activity.
Skill Builders
Scientist Role Models
Diagram from the activity
Card Activities
Color Variation Over Time in Rock Pocket Mouse Populations
Image of a glass of milk with a smiley face superimposed
Animations
Natural Selection for Lactose Tolerance
Image of a researcher working at his computer from the film
Scientists at Work
Think Like a Scientist: Gorongosa
Illustration showing a mock science newspaper and science headlines appearing on a cell phone.
Skill Builders
Evaluating Science in the News
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
Are You a Morning or an Evening Person?
Image from the activity
Data Points
Identifying Autism Genes by Tracking Gene Mutations
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
Using DNA to Trace Human Migration
Photo of Charles Sawyers from the video
Clips
DNA Sequence Technology Improves Cancer Treatment
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility