Trapped in the extinction vortex? Strong genetic effects in a declining vertebrate population.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity are expected to increase the extinction risk of small populations, but detailed tests in natural populations are scarce. We combine long-term population and fitness data with those from two types of molecular markers to examine the role of genetic effects in a declining metapopulation of southern dunlins Calidris alpina schinzii, an endangered shorebird.

Results

The decline is associated with increased pairings between related individuals, including close inbreeding (as revealed by both field observations of parentage and molecular markers). Furthermore, reduced genetic diversity seems to affect individual fitness at several life stages. Higher genetic similarity between mates correlates negatively with the pair's hatching

SUBMITTER: Blomqvist D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2824661 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature