Deciphering genetic mate choice: Not so simple in group-housed conservation breeding programs.

ABSTRACT: Incorporating mate choice into conservation breeding programs can improve reproduction and the retention of natural behaviors. However, different types of genetic-based mate choice can have varied consequences for genetic diversity management. As a result, it is important to examine mechanisms of mate choice in captivity to assess its costs and benefits. Most research in this area has focused on experimental pairing trials; however, this resource-intensive approach is not always feasible in captive settings and can interfere with other management constraints. We used generalized linear mixed models and permutation approaches to investigate overall breeding success in group-housed Tasmanian devils at three nonmutually exclusive mate choice hypotheses: (a) advantage of heterozygous individua

SUBMITTER: Farquharson KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7513713 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature