Inbreeding
Genotype frequencies under
inbreeding
The inbreeding coefficient, F
Prob(the two alleles within an
individual are IBD) -- identical by
descent
Hence, with probability F, both alleles
in an individual are identical, and
hence a homozygote
With probability 1-F, the alleles are
combined at random
Identity by descent
A1A2
A3A4
A1A3
A1A4
A1A1
These alleles are identical by descent
F is the probability that the two
alleles in an individual are identical
by descent
A1A2
A1A3
A1A4
F=?
A3A4
A2A4
A2A4
Alleles IBD
A1A1
F
p
A1
A2
Alleles IBD
q
1-F
1-F
A1A1
A1 A2
Random mating
p
A2 A1
A2 A2
A2A2
Genotype
Alleles IBD
Alleles not IBD
frequency
A 1A 1
Fp
(1-F)p2
p2 + Fpq
A2 A1
(1-F)2pq
(1-F)2pq
A2A2
Fq
(1-F)q2
q2 + Fpq
Inbreeding Depression and Fitness
traits
Inbred
Outbred
Why do traits associated with fitness
show inbreeding depression?
Two competing hypotheses:
Overdominance Hypothesis: Genetic variance for fitness is
caused by loci at which heterozygotes are more fit than
both homozygotes. Inbreeding decreases the frequency of
heterozygotes, increases the frequency of homozygotes, so
fitness is reduced.
Dominance Hypothesis: Genetic variance for fitness is
caused by rare deleterious alleles that are recessive or
partly recessive; such alleles persist in populations because
of recurrent mutation. Most copies of deleterious alleles in
the base population are in heterozygotes. Inbreeding
increases the frequency of homozygotes for deleterious
alleles, so fitness is reduced.
Agricultural importance of
heterosis
Crosses often show high-parent heterosis, wherein the
F1 not only beats the average of the two parents
(mid-parent heterosis), it exceeds the best parent.
Crop
% planted
as hybrids
% yield
advantage
Annual
added
yield: tons
55 x 106
Annual land
savings
15
Annual
added
yield: %
10
Maize
65
Sorghum
48
40
19
13 x 106
9 x 106 ha
Sunflower
60
50
30
7 x 106
6 x 106 ha
Rice
12
30
15 x 106
6 x 106 ha
13 x 106 ha
Pup survival relative to
Inbreeding
Inbreeding Coefficient Survival
< 0.19
75%
0.25-0.67
51%
> 0.67
25%
Survival
Survival of inbred vs. noninbred deer mice
1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
Inbred
Noninbred
10
Weeks after Release
Jimenez et al. 1994
THE END