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Quantitative Genetics

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Book cover Exploring Studbooks for Wildlife Management and Conservation

Part of the book series: Topics in Biodiversity and Conservation ((TOBC,volume 17))

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Abstract

Monitoring phenotypic variation in natural history traits that can be directly obtained from studbook data is explored in this chapter. Phenotypic variances in lifespan, age at first breeding, inter–birth interval, litter size, breeding season and fitness, as observed in the captive populations of Chinese and Nepalese red pandas, are explored. The components of phenotypic variance and concepts of heritability and repeatability are described. Repeatability in different traits of red crowned cranes, red pandas and snow leopards is presented and discussed. Mid–parent and single parent regressions to estimate heritability (h 2) are described and illustrated with parturition date in red panda subspecies. Methods to handle unequal family sizes in regression and to adjust for assortative matings are explained and illustrated with the trait “fitness” in red pandas. Assumptions in linear regression regarding independent data and normal distribution of trait data are discussed, as are effects of outliers on results. The Residual or Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) implementations of the “animal model” to estimate heritability are briefly described. Parturition date in Nepalese red pandas is used to demonstrate these methods. The last section explores the use of estimated breeding values (EBVs) in monitoring phenotypic variation. Litter size in maternal generation groups of African wild dogs is used as an example.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The modified algorithm by R. L. Quaas is used to compute inbreeding coefficients only.

  2. 2.

    The minimum reliability equals heritability when only a single record for an individual is available.

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  1. Population Management and Wildlife Conservation, East Rudham, Norfolk, UK

    F. P. G. Princée

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Princée, F.P.G. (2016). Quantitative Genetics. In: Exploring Studbooks for Wildlife Management and Conservation. Topics in Biodiversity and Conservation, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50032-4_16

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