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dc.contributor.author | Becker, Penny A.![]() |
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dc.contributor.author | Miller, Philip S.![]() |
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dc.contributor.author | Gunther, Micaela Szykman![]() |
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dc.contributor.author | Somers, Michael J.![]() |
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dc.contributor.author | Wildt, David E.![]() |
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dc.contributor.author | Maldonado, Jesus E.![]() |
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dc.date.accessioned | 2012-06-06T11:36:57Z | |
dc.date.available | 2012-06-06T11:36:57Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2012-05-16 | |
dc.description.abstract | The conservation of many fragmented and small populations of endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) relies on understanding the natural processes affecting genetic diversity, demographics, and future viability. We used extensive behavioural, life-history, and genetic data from reintroduced African wild dogs in South Africa to (1) test for inbreeding avoidance via mate selection and (2) model the potential consequences of avoidance on population persistence. Results suggested that wild dogs avoided mating with kin. Inbreeding was rare in natal packs, after reproductive vacancies, and between sibling cohorts (observed on 0.8%, 12.5%, and 3.8% of occasions, respectively). Only one of the six (16.7%) breeding pairs confirmed as third-order (or closer) kin consisted of animals that were familiar with each other, while no other paired individuals had any prior association. Computer-simulated populations allowed to experience inbreeding had only a 1.6% probability of extinction within 100 years, whereas all populations avoiding incestuous matings became extinct due to the absence of unrelated mates. Populations that avoided mating with first-order relatives became extinct after 63 years compared with persistence of 37 and 19 years for those also prevented from second-order and third-order matings, respectively. Although stronger inbreeding avoidance maintains significantly more genetic variation, our results demonstrate the potentially severe demographic impacts of reduced numbers of suitable mates on the future viability of small, isolated wild dog populations. The rapid rate of population decline suggests that extinction may occur before inbreeding depression is observed. | en |
dc.description.librarian | nf2012 | en |
dc.description.sponsorship | This research was supported by the Smithsonian Institution Undersecretary for Science Endowment Fund, University of Pretoria, Rotterdam Zoo Thandiza Fund, Humboldt State University, Conservation Endowment Fund of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, Knowsley Safari Park, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Khaki Fever Work Wear, Pittsburgh Zoo Conservation Fund, and the Morris Animal Foundation. International travel was generously provided by British Airways. | en_US |
dc.description.uri | http://www.plosone.org | en_US |
dc.identifier.citation | Becker PA, Miller PS, Gunther MS, Somers MJ, Wildt DE, et al. (2012) Inbreeding Avoidance Influences the Viability of Reintroduced Populations of African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus). PLoS ONE 7(5): e37181. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037181 | en |
dc.identifier.issn | 1932-6203 | |
dc.identifier.other | 10.1371/journal.pone.0037181 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/19132 | |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | Public Library of Science | en_US |
dc.rights | This is an open-access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. | en_US |
dc.subject | Lycaon pictus | en |
dc.subject | Inbreeding avoidance | en |
dc.subject.lcsh | African wild dog -- Breeding | en |
dc.subject.lcsh | Lycaon -- Reintroduction | en |
dc.subject.lcsh | Endangered species | en |
dc.subject.lcsh | Wildlife conservation | en |
dc.title | Inbreeding avoidance influences the viability of reintroduced populations of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) | en |
dc.type | Article | en |