Accounting for cryptic population substructure enhances detection of inbreeding depression with genomic inbreeding coefficients: an example from a critically endangered marsupial

• DOI: 10.1111/mec.15540
• Publication Date: 2020-07-06T08:11:00Z
• Authors: Joseph P Zilko; Dan Harley; Birgita Hansen; Alexandra Pavlova; Paul Sunnucks
• Keywords: Genetic load

Abstract Characterizing inbreeding depression in wildlife populations can be critical to their conservation. Coefficients of individual estimated from genome‐wide marker data. The degree which sensitivity coefficients population genetic substructure alters estimates wild is not well understood. Using generalized linear models, we tested the power two frequently used that are calculated SNP markers, F H and F^ III , predict four fitness traits over decades an isolated critically endangered Leadbeater's possum. as excess observed homozygotes relative equilibrium expectations, whereas quantifies allelic similarity between gametes formed individual, upweights rare homozygotes. We 1,575 loci individuals with trait data ( N = 179–237 per trait), computed revised coefficients, by group IIIby adjusted for calculating them separately within different groups identified population. or was detected survival sexual maturity, longevity whether bred during lifetime. (but ) additionally revealed significant lifetime reproductive output (total offspring assigned each individual). Estimates numbers lethal equivalents indicated substantial load, but differing estimators. Inbreeding depression, declining size, low diversity suggest rescue may assist preventing extinction this unique possum