Single large or several small? Population fragmentation in the captive management of endangered species
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1998)17:63.3.CO;2-V Captive populations of endangered species are typically maintained effectively as single random-mating populations by translocating individuals between institutions. Genetic, disease, and cost considerations, however, suggest that this may not be the optimal management strategy. Genetic theory predicts that a pooled population derived from several small isolated populations will have greater genetic diversity, less […]
Minimizing kinship in captive breeding programs
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1997)16:53.3.CO;2-3 Captive populations of endangered species are managed to preserve genetic diversity and retain reproductive fitness. Minimizing kinship (MK) has been predicted to maximize the retention of gene diversity in pedigreed populations with unequal founder representation. MK was compared with maximum avoidance of inbreeding (MAI) and random choice of parents (RAND) using Drosophila melanogaster. […]
Modeling problems in conservation genetics using captive Drosophila populations: Consequences of equalizing founder representation
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430110504.abs Equalizing founder representation is a recommended practice for maintaining captive populations. However, this procedure has not been subject to controlled experimental evaluation. The effects on inbreeding, genetic variation, and reproductive fitness of maintaining small captive populations by equalizing founder representation (EFR) versus randomly choosing parents (RC) were compared. Ten replicate lines were created […]
Modeling problems in conservation genetics using captive Drosophila populations: Rapid genetic adaptation to captivity
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430110505.abs Long-term captive breeding programs for endangered species generally aim to preserve the option of release back into the wild. However, the success of re-release programs will be jeopardized if there is significant genetic adaptation to the captive environment. Since it is difficult to study this problem in rare and endangered species, a convenient […]