Inbreeding

Genotype frequencies under

inbreeding
The inbreeding coefficient, F
Prob(the two alleles within an
individual are IBD) -- identical by
descent
Hence, with probability F, both alleles
in an individual are identical, and
hence a homozygote
With probability 1-F, the alleles are
combined at random

Identity by descent
A1A2

A3A4
A1A3

A1A4
A1A1

These alleles are identical by descent

F is the probability that the two

alleles in an individual are identical
by descent
A1A2
A1A3

A1A4

F=?

A3A4
A2A4

A2A4

Alleles IBD

A1A1

F
p

A1

A2

Alleles IBD

q
1-F
1-F

A1A1
A1 A2

Random mating
p
A2 A1

A2 A2

A2A2

Genotype

Alleles IBD

Alleles not IBD

frequency

A 1A 1

Fp

(1-F)p2

p2 + Fpq

A2 A1

(1-F)2pq

(1-F)2pq

A2A2

Fq

(1-F)q2

q2 + Fpq

Inbreeding Depression and Fitness

traits

Inbred

Outbred

Why do traits associated with fitness

show inbreeding depression?
Two competing hypotheses:

Overdominance Hypothesis: Genetic variance for fitness is

caused by loci at which heterozygotes are more fit than
both homozygotes. Inbreeding decreases the frequency of
heterozygotes, increases the frequency of homozygotes, so
fitness is reduced.

Dominance Hypothesis: Genetic variance for fitness is

caused by rare deleterious alleles that are recessive or
partly recessive; such alleles persist in populations because
of recurrent mutation. Most copies of deleterious alleles in
the base population are in heterozygotes. Inbreeding
increases the frequency of homozygotes for deleterious
alleles, so fitness is reduced.

Agricultural importance of
heterosis
Crosses often show high-parent heterosis, wherein the
F1 not only beats the average of the two parents
(mid-parent heterosis), it exceeds the best parent.
Crop

% planted
as hybrids

% yield
advantage

Annual
added
yield: tons
55 x 106

Annual land
savings

15

Annual
added
yield: %
10

Maize

65

Sorghum

48

40

19

13 x 106

9 x 106 ha

Sunflower

60

50

30

7 x 106

6 x 106 ha

Rice

12

30

15 x 106

6 x 106 ha

13 x 106 ha

Pup survival relative to

Inbreeding
Inbreeding Coefficient Survival
< 0.19
75%
0.25-0.67
51%
> 0.67
25%

Survival

Survival of inbred vs. noninbred deer mice

1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

Inbred
Noninbred

10

Weeks after Release

Jimenez et al. 1994

THE END