Inbreeding is associated with reduced fitness, a phenomenon known as inbreeding depression. I investigated direct and indirect effects of inbreeding on social traits associated with parental care in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides. This species breeds on small vertebrate carcasses and the parents provide care by maintaining the carcass and regurgitating food to begging larvae. I quantified the survival of outbred offspring produced by inbred and outbred parents. I found that inbred offspring had reduced survival compared to outbred offspring, and that outbred offspring produced by inbred parents survived less well. Such intergenerational effects of inbreeding suggests that inbreeding may affect the amount of parental care provided to offspring. I tested this by investigating the amount of care inbred and outbred male and female parents provided to outbred offspring. I found no reductions in the amount of care provided by inbred parents but found that parents provided more care when their partner was inbred. In addition, I investigated effects of inbreeding on parent-offspring communication, when either female parents or their offspring were inbred. I found that whilst inbred offspring begged less, parents provided inbred offspring with more care. The effects of inbreeding had significant consequences affecting biparental negotiation and parent-offspring communication. Next, I tested for the effects of inbreeding on the antimicrobial properties of secretions that both parents apply to the carcass during larval development. I found that the bactericidal activity of inbred male parents was reduced compared to outbred male parents during the dispersal stages and no evidence for the secretions of inbred and outbred female parents differing. Finally, to test whether the strong inbreeding depression found in this species influenced the mating decisions, I presented females with related or unrelated males, and found no evidence that females avoided inbreeding. These results show that to accurately estimate the fitness consequences of inbreeding the social effects on all individuals within a family must be accounted for.

Although sexual selection in nature has been studied intensively, much is still unknown about the evolution of mating systems in wild populations: for example, how male competition and female choice interact, or the effect of environmental heterogeneity on selection. Further, important questions remain about the consequences of sexual selection for genetic structuring and genetic variation within populations. In this thesis, I investigate the causes and consequences of sexual selection in a polygynous mammal, the red deer Cervus elaphus. This species is characterized by high male reproductive skew resulting from competition to defend harems of females. Here however, I present evidence for previously unappreciated complexity in the mating system, in terms of female mating behaviour and environmental influences on male-male competition. I then go on to investigate the consequences of non-random mating on co-ancestry and inbreeding in the population. Finally, I investigate methods for separating genetic and environmental sources of covariance between individuals. Specifically, I: (i) Show a surprising degree of female mobility during the breeding season (the 'rut‘). Around 40% of females change harem when in oestrus and almost half of these movements result in paternity for the novel male; however I show that these movements are unlikely to be explained by female choice for mates. (ii) Reveal that variance in male mating success is affected by variation in ecological parameters, in particular the interaction between the number of immigrant males in the rutting population and the temporal synchrony of females. (iii) Demonstrate substantial inter-individual differences in the plasticity of acoustic signals produced by rutting males with changes in social context. (iv) Reveal the existence in this population of three rarely reported mating behaviours in polygynous mammals. I find around a fifth of females mate with the same male in multiple years; female relatives frequently mate with the same male; and males rut in locations close to their relatives. Further, I show these behaviours are associated with higher co-ancestry and inbreeding in the population than expected under random mating. (v) Finally, I investigate how spatial associations between relatives upwardly bias estimates of heritability in four phenotypic traits. I do this by accounting for shared environment effects in animal models by i) inclusion of spatial autocorrelation parameters and ii) a novel multi-matrix approach.

Selon la théorie de la sélection de la parentèle, les individus peuvent transmettre des copies de leurs gènes à la génération suivante sans accéder eux-mêmes à la reproduction, mais en aidant des apparentés à augmenter leur propre succès reproductif. Ce concept reste aujourd'hui l'explication la plus probable pour justifier l'évolution de l’altruisme de reproduction dans le règne animal. Les coefficients de corrélations génétiques entre les membres d’un groupe ont une importance capitale, puisqu'ils influencent directement les bénéfices génétiques indirects associés au comportement altruiste. Trois principaux facteurs sont cependant connus pour influencer profondément l'architecture des sociétés: (i) le nombre de reines présentes dans un nid (polygynie), (ii) le nombre d'accouplements des reines (polyandrie), et (iii) l’accouplement entre apparentés (consanguinité). Nous avons étudié les stratégies de reproduction de cinq espèces de fourmis du genre Plagiolepis. Nous avons d’abord déterminé l’origine endogène des signaux de reconnaissance responsables de la fermeture des sociétés (I). Nous avons également identifié les causes proximales de la forte consanguinité observée chez P. pygmaea : une éviction par les ouvrières des mâles étrangers tentant de s’introduire dans leur société et une préférence des femelles vierges à s’accoupler avec des mâles apparentés (II). A l’aide de marqueurs génétiques, nous avons estimé le degré de polygynie, le taux de polyandrie des reines, et le niveau de consanguinité pour quatre espèces libres : P. pygmaea, P. taurica, P. schmitzii et P. maura (III; IV). Enfin, nous avons testé l’hypothèse d’une réversion du nombre d’accouplements vers la monandrie chez les espèces parasites, au travers de P. xene. (V).

<p>An unresolved problem in evolutionary biology is the nature of forces that maintain standing variation for quantitative traits. In this study we take advantage of newly developed genomic resources to understand how variation is maintained for flower size and fitness components in a natural population of annual Mimulus guttatus in the Oregon Cascades. Extensive inbreeding depression has been documented in this population for fertility and viability (Willis 1999 a,b), while previous biometric experiments have demonstrated that some of the floral variation in this site is due to common alleles perhaps maintained by balancing selection (Kelly and Willis 2001, Kelly 2003). Detailed comparison of the genetic architecture of these two categories of traits can clarify the relative contributions of mutation versus selection in maintaining trait variation within populations as well as the relevance of standing variation for trait diversification. </p><p>We present here the results from a large scale effort to dissect variation for flower size and a suite of genetically correlated traits. In 3 independent F2 mapping populations we mapped QTLs for floral morphology (flower width and length, pistil length, and stamen length), flowering time, and leaf size. We also mapped segregation distortion loci and QTLs for fertility components (pollen viability and seed set) that exhibit inbreeding depression. We compare the genetic architecture of these two sets of traits and find clear differences. Morphological traits and flowering time are polygenic and QTLs are generally additive. In contrast, deleterious QTLs associated with segregation distortion or fertility are partially recessive and include major QTLs. There is also little co-localization between morphological/flowering time and fertility QTLs. The analysis suggests that the genetic basis of segregating variation in morphology is fundamentally different from traits exhibiting inbreeding depression. Further, there is considerable variation in the extant of pleiotropy exhibited by QTLs for morphological traits as well as flowering time and we report that epistasis contributes to the standing variation for these traits. The analysis suggests that the standing variation is relevant for trait diversification and that the variation in floral allometry, plant form, and life history observed in the guttatus species complex could have readily evolved from the standing variation.</p> / Dissertation

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 142-144).

<p>Bryophytes, by their haploid dominant life cycle, possess several unique qualities ideal for study of mating patterns. In particular, the possibility of intragametophytic selfing in some species, and the vegetative propagation of gametes allow for a unique window into the haploid stage that is intractable in other groups. Despite these advantages, there have been relatively few studies on mating patterns bryophytes in natural populations. <italic>Sphagnum</italic> (peatmoss) is an excellent case study in the interactions between sexual condition, ecology, and mating patterns. In the first Chapter, we use microsatellites to characterize the genetic diversity and mating patterns in fourteen species of <italic>Sphagnum</italic>, diverse in sexual condition (separate vs combined sexes in the haploid stage) and ecology (microhabitat variance along the water table). We find that genetic diversity and mating patterns are related only in species with separate sexes, that sexual condition and ecology have interacting effects on inbreeding coefficients, and that inbreeding depression is not a common phenomenon in <italic>Sphagnum</italic>. In the second Chapter, we conduct an intensive survey of one population of <italic>Sphagnum</italic> macrophyllum, to detect whether variance in haploid fecundity and mating success is related to diploid fitness. We find a relationship between mating success and fecundity (a signal of sexual selection), and fitness of the diploid generation is connected to the parentage of the haploid generation. Finally, in Chapter 3 we use phylogenetic comparative methods to track the phylogenetic signal in microhabitat preference in <italic>Sphagnum</italic>. We find extremely fast rates of evolution along the micronutrient gradient, but high phylogenetic signal along a hydrological gradient. Given that <italic>Sphagnum</italic> species living high above the water table have reduced water availability, phylogenetic signal in the hydrological gradient has macroevolutionary implications for mating systems in <italic>Sphagnum</italic>.</p> / Dissertation

The Elsenburg Merino flock has been divergently selected for the ability of ewes to rear multiple offspring since 1986. Updated genetic trends for reproduction are reported for the Elsenburg Merino resource flock. The objective was to determine whether genetic trends estimated previously for the Elsenburg Merino Resource flock changed significantly with the introduction of genetic material from the industry to the high (H) line. All analyses included the full pedigree file, consisting of 6547 individuals. Heritability estimates were 0.08 ± 0.02 for number of lambs weaned and 0.11 ± 0.02 for corrected weight of lamb weaned. The ewe permanent environment variance was estimated at 0.09 ± 0.02 and 0.11 ± 0.02 for number of lambs weaned and for corrected weight of lamb weaned, respectively. Genetic trends for the H and low (L) lines were divergent (P < 0.05) for all reproduction traits during the period prior to the observed breakpoints. Progress for number of lambs weaned in the H line stabilised after 1999 while a decline in response for weight of lamb weaned in the H line occurred after 2003. The change points may result from reduced selection intensity during the formation of reciprocal crossbred lines, or the introduction of unrelated industry sires in the H line. The pedigree was analysed and inbreeding trends computed for the H and L lines with the aim to test the significance of inbreeding within the lines. The software packages used for the statistical analyses were ENDOG v4.8 and POPREP web analysis software. The average inbreeding coefficients (F) were 1.47% and 0.73% for the divergently selected H and L lines. The rate of inbreeding (ΔF) per generation was 0.5% for the H line and 0.6% in the L line. The overall rates of inbreeding per generation were different in the H and L lines but within acceptable levels. The L line, however, showed an unwanted recent increase in inbreeding that will need to be considered in future. Since 2003, part of the Elsenburg Merino breeding flock was subjected to structured reciprocal within-breed crossing. Lamb survival traits and ewe reproductive performance of purebred (H and L) and reciprocal crosses (HxL and LxH) were evaluated using least squares analyses. Levels of heterosis were also assessed. The mean survival of the two crossbred lines was notably superior to the midparent value in absolute terms, although the contrast did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.098). Further research is required to establish whether this within breed heterosis for lamb survival can be exploited to decrease lamb losses. Reproduction, number of lambs born (NLB) and number of lambs weaned (NLW) in the H line was higher than in the L line (P < 0.05) while the two crossbred lines were intermediate and different from both the H line and the L line (P < 0.05) from the analyses of annual reproduction and overall “lifetime” reproduction across three lambing opportunities. Individual heterosis for annual reproduction was estimated at 2.2% for NLB, 13.8% for NLW and 8.5% for corrected weight of lamb weaned (TWW), with the estimate for NLW reaching significance (P < 0.05). Corresponding estimates for total production over three lambing opportunities were 8.7% for TNLB, 19.1% for TNLW and 13.8% for TTWW, with the estimate for NLW reaching significance (P < 0.05). Ten RAPD markers were used to study molecular divergence between the H and L lines. Phenotypic data on the lifetime reproduction of ewes born in 1999 and 2000 indicated that reproduction in the H line ewes was markedly higher than that of L line contemporaries (P < 0.01). The RAPD assay, conducted on 15 ewes from each line, used eight primers and produced 87% polymorphic loci. The mean coefficient of genetic differentiation between lines (Gst) was estimated to be 0.25. In conclusion, the H and L lines were shown to be divergent for genetic trends and levels of inbreeding. The derived estimates of heterosis may also be used to infer divergence between the lines and significant molecular divergence proven using RAPD assays. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Thesis (PhD )--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2008. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Scott Creel. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-120).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1950. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Roberto Carvalheiro / Coorientador: Lucia Galvão de Albuquerque / Banca: Carlos Antonio Lopes de Oliveira / Banca: Humberto Tonhati / Resumo: Os programas de melhoramento em espécies aquícolas apresentam, no geral, um número restrito de famílias e um pequeno tamanho efetivo populacional, levando ao acasalamento de animais aparentados e, consequentemente, ao aumento da endogamia. Por sua vez, maiores níveis de endogamia tendem a ocasionar queda no desempenho dos animais causada pela depressão endogâmica. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar os níveis de endogamia e depressão endogâmica sobre as características de peso à despesca, comprimento à despesca e resistência a Piscirickettsia salmonis em uma população de salmão coho. A resistência a Piscirickettsia salmonis foi definida como o dia da morte de cada peixe após desafio conduzido em dois anos, com média de 42 dias em 2012 e 14 dias no ano de 2014. Foi utilizado um banco de dados composto por 53.504 observações, provenientes de nove gerações e 930 famílias. A estimação dos componentes de variância e endogamia foram obtidas utilizando o programa computacional AIREMLF90 e os valores de depressão endogâmica foram estimados a partir de um modelo animal. Os valores observados para o coeficiente de endogamia foram crescentes ao longo das gerações, com uma taxa média máxima de 8,75% no ano de 2014. A depressão endogâmica afetou em maior nível as características de peso à despesca e dia de morte, com redução de 6,4 e 9,2% no desempenho dos animais, respectivamente, para o nível máximo de endogamia observado (30%). Os resultados indicam a necessidade de uso de estratégias ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Aquaculture breeding programs present, in general, low number of families and reduced effective population size, resulting in mating of related animals and, consequently, increased level of inbreeding. High inbreeding coefficient may negatively impact the animals' performance due to inbreeding depression. The objective of this study was to estimate inbreeding coefficient and inbreeding depression on growth traits and resistance against Piscirickettsia salmonis in a coho salmon population. Resistance against P. salmonis was defined as days to death of each fish after being challenged in two different years, with an average of 42 days in 2012 and 14 days in 2014. Data of 53,504 animals from 930 families was analyzed. Variance components were estimated using the software AIREMLF90, and inbreeding depression was estimated under an animal model. An increasing rate of inbreeding was observed, attaining an average of 8.75% in 2014. Inbreeding depression was more pronounced for harvest weight (PD) and days to death (DM), in comparison with harvest length. At the highest observed inbreeding level (30%), the estimated reduction caused by inbreeding depression was equal to 6,4% for PD and 9,2% for DM. The results indicate the necessity to control inbreeding more effectively for the studied coho salmon population, to guarantee genetic progress in the long term. / Mestre