Abstract
To estimate genetic load, offspring mortality at birth was measured for random and full-sib matings of the S and F strains in the guppy Poecilia reticulata. Offspring mortality was 1.9% and 2.4% in the random mating of the S and F strains, respectively. On the other hand, the offspring mortality in the full-sib mating was 12.0% in the S strain and 25.4% in F strain. Higher values in the full-sib mating indicate the inbreeding depression which is known as a consequence of homozygosis for a recessive lethal gene and mildly deleterious recessive genes. The remarkable difference in offspring mortality between random and full-sib matings suggests a large amount of mildly deleterious recessive genes as a lethal equivalent in the guppy population. When the full-sib mating was practiced in successive generations, the offspring mortality decreased. This suggests that selection during inbreeding was successful in the reduction of deleterious recessive genes with the approach of homozygosis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
