A sea otter pup was found in a fishing net, and the fishermen contacted the authorities to rescue it. The first task is to find the population from which the pup originated. The population from where the pup originated has been well studied, and there is genetic data on most of the otters there. Using the genotypes provided below, determine who the mother of the pup is so the pup can be returned to her.

[tex]
\[
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
& \text{Mas7} & \text{MN187} & \text{tutas3} \\
\hline
\text{Pup} & 185/201 & 222/270 & 120/150 \\
\hline
\multicolumn{4}{|l|}{\text{Females}} \\
\hline
8129 & 200/230 & 222/222 & 120/140 \\
\hline
0205 & 185/207 & 250/222 & 133/140 \\
\hline
1297 & 167/185 & 270/270 & 133/150 \\
\hline
3306 & 185/230 & 222/270 & 133/133 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\]
[/tex]

Options:
- Female #306
- Female #129
- Female #1297
- Female #1205

Select the correct mother from the options above.

To determine the mother of the sea otter pup, we compare the pup's genotypes with those of the candidate female otters. For the pup to match a female, at least one allele of the pup's genotype must match with an allele from the female's genotype for each genetic marker.

Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. Identify the Genotypes of the Pup:
- Mas7: 185/201
- MN187: 222/270
- tutas3: 120/150

2. Check Each Female's Genotypes:

Female 8129:
- Mas7: 200/230
- MN187: 222/222
- tutas3: 120/140

- Mas7 does not match (185 or 201 are not in 200/230).
- MN187 matches (222 is common).
- tutas3 matches (120 is common).

Since Mas7 doesn't match, 8129 cannot be the mother.

Female 0205:
- Mas7: 185/207
- MN187: 250/222
- tutas3: 133/140

- Mas7 matches (185 is common).
- MN187 matches (222 is common).
- tutas3 does not match (neither 120 nor 150).

Since tutas3 doesn't match, 0205 cannot be the mother.

Female 1297:
- Mas7: 167/185
- MN187: 270/270
- tutas3: 133/150

- Mas7 matches (185 is common).
- MN187 matches (270 is common).
- tutas3 matches (150 is common).

All three loci match, indicating that 1297 could be the mother.

Female 3306:
- Mas7: 185/230
- MN187: 222/270
- tutas3: 133/133

- Mas7 matches (185 is common).
- MN187 matches (222 and 270 are common).
- tutas3 does not match (neither 120 nor 150).

Since tutas3 doesn't match, 3306 cannot be the mother.

3. Conclusion:
Based on the genotypes, Female 1297 is the candidate where all the alleles necessary for a match exist at each locus. Therefore, Female 1297 is the mother of the otter pup.