A Note on Response to Selection in Non-Random Mating Populations

The selection theory proposed by Muralidharan and Jain (1992a, b; Biom. J. 34 , 147–152, 633–637) was re-examined. Although they concluded that the theory is appropriate for any system of mating, the author showed that it is not applicable to inbreeding populations, which is the most important type of non-random mating.     

Sustainability of the South China tiger: implications of inbreeding depression and introgression

The South China tiger (Panther tigris amoyensis) is critically endangered with 73 remaining individuals living in captivity, all derived from six wild founders since 1963. The population shows a low level of juvenile survivorship and reproductive difficulties, and faces a huge conservation challenge. In this study, inbreeding depression and genetic diversity decline were examined by using pedigree data and 17 microsatellites. The constant B, which is related to the number of lethal equivalents, was estimated to be 0 for the offspring of noninbred parents, but was >0 for the offspring of inbred parents and for all offspring. Percentage of successfully breeding tigers inversely correlated with inbreeding level (r = −0.626, α = 0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest the population is suffering from inbreeding depression in juvenile survivorship and fecundity. No significant correlation was detectable for the mean litter size with f of either dams (r = −0.305, α = 0.46) or kittens (r = 0.105, α = 0.71), indicating litter size was not strongly subject to inbreeding depression. The average number of alleles per locus was 4.24 ± 1.03 (SE), but effective number of alleles was only 2.53 ± 0.91. Twenty-one alleles carried by early breeders at 13 loci were absent in the present breeders and potential breeders. Multilocus heterozygosity was inversely correlated with inbreeding levels (r = −0.601, α = 0.004). These findings suggest rapid allelic diversity loss is occurring in this small captive population and that heterozygosity is being lost as it becomes more inbred. Our phylogenetic analysis supports past work indicating introgression from northern Indochinese tigers in the population. As no wild representatives of the South China tiger can be added to the captive population, we may consider the alternate scenario of further introgression in the interest of countering inbreeding depression and declining genetic diversity.     

REVERSING MOTHER'S CURSE: SELECTION ON MALE MITOCHONDRIAL FITNESS EFFECTS

Many essential organelles and endosymbionts exhibit a strict matrilineal pattern of inheritance. The absence of paternal transmission of such extranuclear components is thought to preclude a response to selection on their effects on male viability and fertility. We overturn this dogma by showing that two mechanisms, inbreeding and kin selection, allow mitochondria to respond to selection on both male viability and fertility. Even modest levels of inbreeding allow such a response to selection when there are direct fitness effects of mitochondria on male fertility because inbreeding associates male fertility traits with mitochondrial matrilines. Male viability effects of mitochondria are also selectable whenever there are indirect fitness effects of males on the fitness of their sisters. When either of these effects is sufficiently strong, we show that there are conditions that allow the spread of mitochondria with direct effects that are harmful to females, contrary to standard expectation. We discuss the implications of our findings for the evolution of organelles and endosymbionts and genomic conflict.     

The performance of microgametophytes is affected by inbreeding depression and hybrid vigor in the sporophytic generation

Inbreeding reduces the level of heterozygosity, thereby exposing deleterious recessives to selection and simultaneously reducing the number of loci expressing heterosis (overdominance). In contrast, hybridization increases the level of heterozygosity, thereby masking deleterious recessives and simultaneously increasing the number of loci expressing heterosis. Most studies of inbreeding depression/hybrid vigor have focused on sporophytic performance such as survivorship, vegetative growth rates, fruit and seed production and (rarely) pollen production. Because the genetic mechanisms that underlie inbreeding depression/hybrid vigor are relevant only to the diploid stage of the life cycle, most studies have tacitly assumed that they have no effects on pollen performance (pollen germination, pollen tube growth rate, ability to achieve fertilization under conditions of pollen competition). However, we reasoned that because pollen is dependent upon the sporophyte for the resources necessary to develop, germinate and initiate tube growth, the level of heterozygosity (vigor) in the pollen-producing parent can affect pollen performance by affecting the ability of the sporophyte to provision its pollen. In a series of studies conducted under field conditions over 7 years, we experimentally varied the level of heterozygosity in wild gourd (Cucurbita pepo) plants (four levels of inbreeding, f = 0.75, 0.50, 0.25, 0 and a zucchini × wild gourd F1). We found that sporophytic vigor (e.g., flower and fruit production) increased with the level of heterozygosity and that the level of heterozygosity of the sporophyte affects the in vitro and in vivo performance of the microgametophytes it produces. These findings are analogous to the ”maternal environmental effects” frequently observed in seeds. Received: 29 October 2000 / Accepted: 3 May 2001     

The Merino Rambouillet flock in the National Sheep Fold in France

This study is based on the demographic data of a closed Merino Rambouillet flock (1866–1983) founded between 1786 and 1801. Number of births registered annually has decreased from 270 in 1866 to slightly more than 90 in 1983. The number of effective breeding rams used each year has been decreasing from 19 in 1876 to 9–11 in the last decade. Number of offsprings per ram has been between 13.6 to 17.4. Generation interval on the sire side was between 2.2 and 4.1 yr, and on the dam side between 3.9 and 5.6 yr (during about 50 generations of inbreeding). Genetic analyses of the flock from data in the register using the method of random double ancestor lines, tracing back to the creation of the flock gave a mean coefficient of inbreeding (F) of 0.52 in 1983 over 49 generations. The recurrent method gave estimations in the range of 0.37–0.48. Heterozygosity found in the haemoglobin locus was 41%, 68% in the transferase locus. There was no association between fertility, prolificacy and birth weight, and rate of increase in inbreeding coefficient during the time 1927–1983. Actually, the values of these parameters increased. In the past, slight and unnoticable natural selection was probably sufficient to prevent effects of inbreeding depression resulting from a 1% per generation increase in F. This is a very important model for other sheep breeds because of its unusual 200 years of closed breeding and selection without any noticeable inbreeding depression.     

Some aspects of autotetraploid population dynamics

Summary Self-compatible autotetraploids are likely to set much of their seed by selfing. Formulae are presented for the frequencies in any generation of states of loci, from homozygous to quadri-allelic, considering the frequencies of selfing and of double reduction but not allowing for the effects of inbreeding depression on population structure. The changing structure of populations over generations is also explored by computer simulation, incorporating selection against inbreds but ignoring double reduction. The findings are discussed in relation to mass-selection programmes.     

The failure of the introduction of wild boar Sus scrofa in the island of Cyprus: a case study

Wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) were introduced in the island of Cyprus in 1990, when five animals were imported from Greece for game farming. In 1994, wild boars were illegally released in Lemesos (Limassol) Forest and in 1996 in the Troodos National Forest Park. Soon the population increased and dispersed throughout the park. In 1997, the government of Cyprus decided to eradicate wild boar because of the danger of transmitting diseases to livestock and to prevent possible environmental destruction. To control the wild boar, hunting was permitted and game wardens were instructed to eliminate the free-ranging animals. In 2004, no animals were observed in localities where they had been seen before. Surveys in September 2004 (Troodos National Park) and January/February 2005 (Troodos Forest, Pafos Forest, and Lemesos Forest) revealed no signs of recent wild boar presence. The reasons for the possible failure of wild boar to establish in Cyprus are discussed.     

Reproductive indicators in natural populations of Douglas-fir in Mexico

The reproductive capacity in nine Mexican Douglas-fir populations was determined by analyzing seed production traits from 144 trees collected in 2001. Significant variation was found for all traits among populations; they contributed between 21% and 43% of total phenotypic variation found in these traits, indicating broad differences in reproductive capacity for that particular year. Seed efficiency (filled seed/seed potential) varied from 14% to 42% among populations; all populations from Central Mexico had a seed efficiency below 25%. The proportion of developed that were empty seeds varied from 0.40 to 0.81 among populations, whereas seed size varied also from 0.88 to 1.21 g per 100 seeds among them. Average ratio of filled seed weight to cone weight (reproductive efficiency) was 29.6 mg g⁻¹, but it varied three-fold between populations with extreme values. Populations with larger cones had greater seed potential and heavier seed but not necessarily higher reproductive or seed efficiency. Most reproductive indicators were significantly correlated with latitude, with lower values in the marginal populations from Central Mexico, in the southern extreme of the species range. Given these results, the need for conservation of Douglas-fir populations in Central Mexico is discussed.     

Is self-compatibility the main breeding system in borage (Borago officinalis L.)?

The polygenic postzygotic self-incompatible system reported in borage (Borago officinalis L.) is refuted. The behaviour of pollen tubes after self- and cross-pollination, analysis of the crossability coefficient, seed set after continuous generations of self-pollination and the effects of inbreeding depression in borage were studied. Evidence of self-compatibility was established. The influence of protandry in a self-compatible system is also discussed. Received: 15 July 1999 / Accepted: 3 November 1999