Inbreeding in reintroduced populations: the effects of early reintroduction history and contemporary processes |
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Authors: | Iris Biebach Lukas F Keller |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland |
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Abstract: | Maintaining genetic variation and minimizing inbreeding are central goals of conservation genetics. It is therefore crucial
to understand the important population parameters that affect inbreeding, particularly in reintroduction programs. Using data
from 41 reintroduced Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) populations we estimated inbreeding since the beginning of reintroductions using population-specific Fst, and inbreeding
over the last few generations with contemporary effective population sizes. Total levels of inbreeding since reintroduction
of ibex were, on average, close to that from one generation of half-sib mating. Contemporary effective population sizes did
not reflect total inbreeding since reintroduction, but 16% of variation in contemporary effective population sizes among populations
was due to variation in current population sizes. Substantial variation in inbreeding levels among populations was explained
by founder group sizes and the harmonic mean population sizes since founding. This study emphasizes that, in addition to founder
group sizes, early population growth rates are important parameters determining inbreeding levels in reintroduced populations. |
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