Variation between and within Populations of Mink: I. Weight and Skin Length

Abstract

Abstract Genetic and non-genetic sources of variation were estimated within and between populations in a progeny testing scheme with approximately 200 paternal progeny groups of mink. Animals from several populations were housed at a central test station and corresponding full-sibs were kept at the farm of origin. Body weight was recorded in the production period, and the length of the dried skins was measured after pelting. Significant environmental and genetic population differences were found accounting for 20–30% of the total variation. Environmental and genetic differences were on average up to 1.9 and 1.6 phenotypic standard deviations, indicating a potential for improved breeding schemes. Most heritability estimates varied between 0.2 and 0.4, lower than earlier estimates within populations. Maternal effects accounted for 10–40% of the variation in most cases. There was a large difference between sexes, and males and females were found to react differently to environmental effects. Furthermore, an ...