The in¯uence of selection and epistasis on inbreeding depression estimates (original) (raw)

Inbreeding depression estimates obtained by regression of the individual performance on the inbreeding were studied by stochastic simulation under various genetic models (solely additive, partial dominance, overdominance and epistasis), and mating strategies (random mating versus selection). In all models, inbreeding depression estimates based on the individual pedigree inbreeding coef®cients were compared with estimates based on the true level of autozygosity. For the model with partial dominance and selection, the estimates of inbreeding depression from pedigree information were more negative (lower) than those based on true inbreeding coef®cients whereas, in contrast, they were less negative (higher) for the models with overdominance and selection. The difference in the variation of true and pedigree individual inbreeding coef®cient indicated that biased estimates might occur even in random mating populations. The estimation of inbreeding depression was further complicated when epistatic effects were present. The sign and the magnitude of the inbreeding effect (depression) estimates might be rather heterogeneous if additive by dominance effects are present because they are strongly dependent on the gene frequency. It was also shown that inbreeding depression is possible in models with negative additive by dominance effects. In models with dominance by dominance inheritance it was dif®cult to assess the non-linear relationship between performance and inbreeding, while at the same time, non-linear estimates based on pedigree information were extremely biased. The results obtained indicate that new or additional methodologies are required if reliable conclusions about consequences of inbreeding depression are needed.

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