Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
8 years ago

New study reveals inbreeding depression in mice linked to natural selection

Heredity
Analysis of inbreeding depression in the first litter size of mice in a long-term selection experiment with respect to the age of the inbreeding
Dirk Hinrichs, T.H.E. Meuwissen, Jørgen Ødegård, Marte Holt, O. Vangen, John Woolliams

Paper Summary

Related papers

Theme background image
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
4 years ago

Slow inbreeding purges harmful mutations, reducing genetic defects in fruit flies.

Population Genetics
Evolutionary Ecology
Pollinator Decline
1 view
Theme background image
Agricultural and Biological Sciences
8 years ago

Inbreeding in Stressful Environments Reduces Genetic Health Risks in Populations

Pollinator Decline
Population Genetics
Insect-Plant Interactions
Theme background image
Agricultural and Biological Sciences
8 years ago

Weak selection against inbreeding despite negative effects in song sparrows.

Evolutionary Ecology
Pollinator Decline
Avian Ecology

Inbreeding can cause problems in animals like mice. Scientists studied how inbreeding affects the first litter size of mice over time. They found that recent inbreeding causes more issues than older inbreeding. This difference is not due to how fast inbreeding happens. It suggests that natural selection and purging play a role in how much inbreeding affects mice.