Number Of Founders Research Articles

Genealogical structure of the Colombian Romosinuano Creole cattle

The Romosinuano cattle breed is one of the most important Creole genetic resources in Colombia, and interesting traits like adaptation or reproductive efficiency have promoted its use in different countries in America. To consolidate the genealogical historical records, the review of very first yield records in this population was used to reconstruct the genealogy of the breed since the first animals incorporated to the in vivo germplasm bank and estimate different demographic parameters. The complete genealogy comprises 17,136 animals with 5.8 years of generation interval for two pathways. The estimated average inbreeding for the population and inbred animals was 2.53% and 6.32% respectively, with a progressive increase of inbred animals across the generations. Almost 48% of the total animals presented some level of consanguinity. Effective population size (Ne) based on the inbreeding rate estimated by regression in all generations was 120 animals whereas Ne estimated by equivalent generations was 69 animals. Effective number of founders (Fe), effective number of ancestors (Fa), and ancestors explaining 50% of variability were 75, 48, and 22, respectively. The relation between Fa/Fe of 64% indicates a genetic bottleneck effect in the population studied.

Population structure and genetic diversity of Boer goat breed in Brazil

Information about population structure of domestic breeds is essential to provide effective guidelines in order to increase productivity based on genetic improvement programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of Boer goat breed in Brazil. A pedigree data from 22,650 individuals born between 1980 and 2019 and recorded by the Brazilian Association of Goat Breeders was analyzed in terms of completeness, average generation interval, gene origin probability, average kinship coefficient, inbreeding coefficient, and genetic conservation index, using the software ENDOG 4.8. The ancestry was known for 84.06 %, 77.38 %, 72.43 %, 68.00 % and 59.34 % of samples in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth parentage, respectively. The average number of complete, equivalent and maximum generations over a 40-year period was equal to 2.79, 4.86 and 8.22, respectively. The mean interval between generations was 3.27 (+/−2.13). A total of 2013 founders and 1881 ancestors was determined, while the effective number of founders and ancestors were established in 262 and 68, respectively. The 44 main ancestors were responsible for 50.02 % of the total genetic variance in Boer breed. The average relationship coefficient was determined in 1.61 % while the average inbreeding coefficient was equal to 3.41 %. Both parameters were higher (2.09 and 4.96, respectively) in populations composed of two or more complete generations. The average genetic conservation index was 22.90, including seven animals with values above 100. The high quantity (75.31) of inbred individuals from two or more generations requires particular attention. On the other hand, the identification of animals that descend from a high quantity of founders in their pedigree indicate they can be used to keep or increase the genetic diversity in further generations.

Urban environment determines population genetics in the green toad, Bufotes viridis

Heavily urbanized areas can hinder dispersal and gene flow between amphibian populations. Given the growth potential of urbanization, it is important to examine how this specific environment shapes their genetic patterns at the local scale. The ability of the European green toad to successfully colonize large human settlements has been convincingly confirmed in the recent past, but little is known about its population genetics under these new conditions. In this study, we examined the effects of the environment on genetic variation, population structure, and the level of gene flow in populations of this amphibian in the city of Košice and the adjacent rural area (eastern Slovakia) using a set of neutral genetic markers. We found that urban populations had lower genetic variability than populations in adjacent rural areas; however, the degree of inbreeding was relatively low in all samples. Genetic differentiation was higher, and gene flow was more restricted in urban area, although geographic distances between sites were significantly less than in rural area (2–4 km versus 6–13 km). Our analyses suggested genetic isolation of urban populations at sites with less suitable habitat for green toads. In contrast, admixture of the population inhabiting the large city park, established on a former floodplain, with all rural populations was likely the result of an intense historical gene flow. The densely developed environment of the other urban sites likely presents a strong barrier to gene flow. The lack of suitable wetland habitat prior to development suggests that these sites were only recently colonized by a limited number of founders. Thus, we found differential effects of the city on the population structure of the green toad. Understanding current local genetic variation and structure is important for future conservation plans in urban environments.

The Origins of the Royal Spanish Surname Castilla: Genetics and Genealogy

In most Western European societies, surnames pass from generation to generation and in cases where surnames are shared by fathers to children, the Y chromosome passes down from fathers to male offspring in the same way as surnames do. The aim of this study was to ascertain the patrilineal relationship between individuals with the surname “Castilla” and their respective Y-chromosome haplotypes. The toponymic surname “Castilla” is part of the Spanish royal family. Genealogical studies of this surname have allowed the formulation of different hypotheses about its origin, most of which were centered in Burgos. To shed some light on the origin of the surname Castilla and to investigate the possible co-ancestry behind the living carriers of this surname, markers located in the Y chromosome-specific region were analyzed in a sample of 102 men whose paternal surname was Castilla. The study aimed to establish the minimum number of founders and the expansion time of the lineages from our sample. Two major haplogroups were identified: R1b and E1b1b-M81. The high frequency of the E1b1b-M81 haplogroup in comparison to that of the general Spanish population, its low haplotype diversity, and its young TMRCA (323+/− 255 years CE) are compatible with the historical timing of the obligation to use surnames. However, the coincidence of the most common haplogroup in the Castilla sample and the most frequent haplogroup in the Spanish general population, R1b, makes it difficult to identify founder haplotypes/haplogroups in the history of the Castilla surname.

Elucidating genetic diversity and population structure of Alpine x Beetal goats using pedigree analysis

Pedigree analysis is essential for effective management of the breeding program and to keep the inbreeding under acceptable limits. Alpine x Beetal is a crossbred population of goats, bred at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal for last five decades. This germplasm is adapted to the tropical climate and has high milk potential as well as prolificacy. Objective of this study was to elucidate the genetic diversity and population structure in the flock of the Alpine x Beetal goats. The data were collected from the Animal Genetics and Breeding Division of ICAR-NDRI, Karnal for 5656 animals from the year 1971–2021. Animals born between 2014 and 2017 were 283, considered as reference cohort. Results revealed that the average generation interval was 3.40 years for the complete pedigree. The average inbreeding coefficient and the average relatedness for the whole population were 4.77% and 7.84%, respectively, and 9.65% and 11.98% respectively, for the reference population. High inbreeding coefficient and average relatedness in the reference cohort demonstrated the impact of closed gene pool and demands immediate intervention for management of genetic diversity in the closed nucleus under study. Ancestors contributing 50% of the gene pool were 8 for the complete pedigree which illustrates that few ancestors were responsible for genetic diversity in the flock. This resulted in the decline of effective population size (51.39). Effective number of founders (fe), ancestors (fa), and founder genomes equivalents (fg) were 24, 12, and 4.17, respectively. The (fe/fa) ratio in the reference population was 2 indicating the occurrence of the bottleneck effect in the flock. To lessen inbreeding and augment genetic diversity in the flock, the use of sires with lower average relatedness and the use of appropriate mating strategies are recommended.

DENTAL VARIATION IN AN INVASIVE SPECIES AT THE DISPERSAL STAGE: <i>MICROTUS ROSSIAEMERIDIONALIS</i> (ARVICOLINAE, RODENTIA) IN THE IRKUTSK OBLAST’, SOUTHERN CIS-BAIKAL REGION

The East European vole is a facultative synanthropic species that actively spreads in the eastern part of northern Eurasia. The distribution area of the species in the Irkutsk Oblast’ has been known as a disjunct part of the range since the 1980s. Our dataset includes 98 individuals caught in 2016–2017 and 2021–2023 in the eastern segment of the species’ dispersal area, where the East European vole was first discovered in the early 2010s. Animals were caught in anthropogenically transformed areas spanning from the outskirts of the city of Irkutsk to kilometer 23 of the Goloustnensky Tract; trapping in natural biotopes revealed no M. rossiaemeridionalis. Species identification was based on molecular genetic markers. Morphological and fine structural characteristics of molar teeth were studied using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The complexity of the occlusal surface, the alternation patterns of the enamel cutting edges (occlusal regularity), and the presence or absence of atypical extra elements such as prismatic folds and prisms in places of the early cricetid dental features were assessed. The estimates of complexity and regularity patterns fell within the range of dental variability known for the continuous distribution area of the species. The atypical extra elements on molars were described for the first time in M. rossiaemeridionalis based on material coming from two trapping sites. The extra elements were confined to the posterior lobes of the lower molars, where an additional reentrant angle separated an extra prism in place of a hypoconid. Enamel walls of the extra prism showed an inversion of the enamel types (a thin layer of radial enamel on the anterior wall and a thick layer of lamellar plus radial enamel on the posterior wall) that was contrary to the evolutionary patterns and functional requirements known for Microtus. The local micropopulation studied is concluded to show phenotypic consequences of a reduced number of founders. Apparently, the species could have faced sequential establishment events in the study area. Our results indicate that dental features are useful for monitoring the arvicoline species, the distribution limits of which are subject to significant spatial changes in the relatively short time intervals available for observation.

The Relationship between Inbreeding and Fitness Is Different between Two Genetic Lines of European Bison

The pedigree data for European bison are published in the European Bison Pedigree Book, established one hundred years ago. The species passed a serious bottleneck and was kept in captivity for more than 30 years. After reintroduction, some individuals were captured and moved to enclosures, which caused gaps in pedigree data. To prevent the underestimation of inbreeding value, only animals with a fully known pedigree were used in the analysis. European bison were divided into two genetic lines, Lowland-Caucasian (LC) and Lowland (LB), with different numbers of founders (all 12 vs. 7 of them). The relation between inbreeding and survival up to one month of age, calculated using logistic regression, gave different results for every genetic line. In the LC line (N = 5441), the average inbreeding level was equal to 0.253 and the influence into survival was negative (exp(B) = 0.190), but in the LB line (N = 1227), the inbreeding level was much higher (0.410) but the influence into survival was positive (exp(B) = 6.596). It could be assumed that the difference between lines is a result of purging in the first period of species restitution.

When Theory Meets Practice: Balancing Genetic Diversity and Behaviour When Choosing Founders for a Recently Reintroduced Bison (Bison bison) Herd in Banff National Park, Canada

The tragic decline of plains bison (Bison bison bison) in North America is well known. By the turn of the 20th century, plains bison, once numbering in the tens of millions, were extirpated from the wild in Canada. Banff National Park, AB, Canada, is within the original range of bison in North America, and still contains suitable habitat for the species. In 2017, we used measures of genetic diversity, as well as age and reproductive status, to select 16 plains bison for reintroduction to an unoccupied corner of their former historic range in Banff National Park. However, five of the preferred founders from this genetically diverse group needed to be substituted for less ideal candidates when aggressive behavior was observed, which could have compromised animal welfare during translocation. The level of genetic diversity in the founding population was therefore lower than if all proposed founders had been used, although the difference was not substantial. As expected, adults in this small, reintroduced herd had lower observed heterozygosity and number of alleles than the larger source herd, but expected heterozygosity was higher, likely a result of preferentially choosing individuals with rare alleles. Another substantial contribution to genetic diversity was in unborn fetuses: sired by males that were not translocated, the calves born a few months later provided a boost to the genetic diversity of this small founder herd. Where opportunities allow, the inclusion of pregnant females can significantly increase the genetic diversity of small founder populations. When compared to other founded herds of bison, the techniques described here have ensured that the newly established Banff NP herd is one of the most diverse bison herds in Canada, despite its relatively small number of founders.

Extinct in the wild: The precarious state of Earth’s most threatened group of species

Extinct in the Wild (EW) species are placed at the highest risk of extinction under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, but the extent and variation in this risk have never been evaluated. Harnessing global databases of ex situ animal and plant holdings, we report on the perilous state of EW species. Most EW animal species-already compromised by their small number of founders-are maintained at population sizes far below the thresholds necessary to ensure demographic security. Most EW plant species depend on live propagation by a small number of botanic gardens, with a minority secured at seed bank institutions. Both extinctions and recoveries are possible fates for EW species. We urgently call for international effort to enable the latter.

Genetic Diversity and Trends of Ancestral and New Inbreeding in German Sheep Breeds by Pedigree Data.

In Germany, many autochthonous sheep breeds have developed, adapted to mountain, heath, moorland, or other marginal sites, but breeds imported from other countries have also contributed to the domestic breeds, particularly improving wool and meat quality. Selective breeding and the intense use of rams may risk losing genetic diversity and increasing rates of inbreeding. On the other hand, breeds with a low number of founder animals and only regional popularity may not leave their endangered status, as the number of breeders interested in the breed is limited. The objective of the present study was to determine demographic measures of genetic diversity and recent as well as ancestral trends of inbreeding in all autochthonous German sheep breeds and sheep of all breeding directions, including wool, meat, and milk. We used pedigree data from 1,435,562 sheep of 35 different breeds and a reference population of 981,093 sheep, born from 2010 to 2020. The mean number of equivalent generations, founders, effective founders, effective ancestors, and effective founder genomes were 5.77, 1669, 123.2, 63.5, and 33.0, respectively. Genetic drift accounted for 69% of the loss of genetic diversity, while loss due to unequal founder contributions was 31%. The mean inbreeding coefficient, individual rate of inbreeding (∆Fi), and realized effective population size across breeds were 0.031, 0.0074, and 91.4, respectively, with a significantly decreasing trend in ∆Fi in 11/35 breeds. New inbreeding, according to Kalinowski, contributed to 71.8% of individual inbreeding, but ancestral inbreeding coefficients showed an increasing trend in all breeds. In conclusion, in our study, all but one of the mountain-stone sheep breeds and the country sheep breed Wald were the most vulnerable populations, with Ne < 50. The next most endangered breeds are exotic, country, and heath breeds, with average Ne of 66, 83, and 89, respectively. The wool, meat, and milk breeds showed the highest genetic diversity, with average Ne of 158, 120, and 111, respectively. The results of our study should help strengthen conservation program efforts for the most endangered sheep breeds and maintain a high genetic diversity in all sheep breeds.

Population dynamics of a long-term selection experiment in White Plymouth Rock chickens selected for low or high body weight

The population dynamics of 2 lines of chickens from a long-term (59 generations) selection experiment were assessed based on pedigree data. These lines were propagated from phenotypic selection for low and high 8-wk BW in White Plymouth Rock chickens. Our objective was to determine whether the 2 lines maintained similar population structures over the selection horizon to allow meaningful comparisons of their performance data. A complete pedigree of 31,909 individuals, consisting of 102 founders, 1,064 from the parental generation, and 16,245 low weight (LWS) and 14,498 high weight (HWS) select chickens, was available. Inbreeding (F) and average relatedness (AR) coefficients were computed. Average F per generation and AR coefficients were 1.3 (SD 0.8) % and 0.53 (SD 0.001) for LWS, and 1.5 (SD 1.1) % and 0.66 (SD 0.001) for HWS. Mean F for the entire pedigree was 0.26 (0.16) and 0.33 (0.19), and maximum F was 0.64 and 0.63, in LWS and HWS, respectively. Based on Wright's fixation index, at generation 59, substantial genetic differences were established between lines. The effective population size was 39 in LWS and 33 in HWS. The effective number of founders was 17 and 15, effective number of ancestors were 12 and 8, and genome equivalents were 2.5 and 1.9 in LWS and HWS, respectively. About 30 founders explained the marginal contribution to both lines. By generation 59, only 7 male and 6 female founders contributed to both lines. Moderately high levels of inbreeding and low effective population sizes were inevitable, as this was a closed population. However, effects on the fitness of the population were expected to be less substantial because founders were a combination of 7 lines. The effective numbers of founders and ancestors were relatively low compared to the actual number of founders, as few ancestors contributed to descendants. Based on these evaluations, it can be inferred that LWS and HWS had similar population structures. Comparisons of selection responses in the 2 lines therefore should be reliable.

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE MOLARS OF THE JAPANESE MOUSE, &lt;i&gt;APODEMUS SPECIOSUS&lt;/i&gt; (RODENTIA, MURIDAE), FROM THE KUNASHIR ISLAND

Seven new characters were revealed in 722 molars of the Japanese mouse, Apodemus speciosus, from the Kunashir Island, Kuriles. The absence from the Kunashir population of characters previously identified for the Japanese mouse from the island of Honshu, Japan, both Recent and fossil (Holocene, Middle and Late Pleistocene), as well as the stabilization of new traits, indicates either the Kunashir population could have passed through sharp declines in numbers or a small number of founders, or a new type of nutrition. New features of the molars of the mice supplement the list of the morphological and morphometric characteristics of the Japanese mouse and can serve as the basis for clarifying the morphological features of A. s. ainu, as well as to continue the study of the populations from Hokkaido and the small islands adjacent to it.

Análise de informações genealógicas de bovinos Gir e Nelore da Costa Rica

ABSTRACT: The objectives were to analyze the genealogical information of Gyr (GY) and Nelore (NL) cattle from Costa Rica. Analyzed: pedigree integrity (GY, 13272; NL, 18153); number of complete, maximum traced and equivalent complete generations; inbreeding (FI); generation interval (GI) through four selection routes; average additive genetic ratio (AGR); effective number of founders (fe); effective number of ancestors (fa); effective population size (Ne). The analysis was performed with the ENDOG software. The maximum proportion of unknown parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents was 18.6%, 39.9%, and 59.3%, respectively. The average FI for NL was 8.87% and 2.85% in GY. The average consanguineous population (%) and FI was 53.9 and 16.5% in NL, 28.9 and 9.9% in GY. The average and maximum values of AGR for NL were 3.5 and 12.8, 1.4 and 5.6 in GY. The fe and fa for NL were 65.0 and 38.0, in GY 145.7 and 59.0. The Ne indicated increases in FI in the range of 1 to 2% in GY, for NL greater than 2%, with a status of care to monitor the evolution of F and AGR and their possible implications in genetic improvement. The GI ranged from 6.3 to 7.9 years with a general average of 6.9 years. These results show a summary of the genetic and reproductive management those breeders have carried out.

Resistance from a resident heterospecific affects establishment success of a globally invasive freshwater fish

Abstract The role of biotic resistance is a subject of debate in our understanding of invasions. We used a well‐known system in the Northern Range of Trinidad, where ephemeral conditions in small pool habitats lead to repeated colonisation by two native species (guppies, Poecilia reticulata, and killifish, Anablepsoides hartii), to ask questions about the role of biotic resistance and intraguild predation in natural, small‐water habitats. Using horticultural containers under forest cover, alongside constructed bankside mesocosms, we established populations of each species to test hypotheses concerning the conditions under which the guppy, a globally successful invasive species with the potential to establish populations from a single female, could be excluded by a resident intraguild predator, the killifish. Recruitment success of the guppy depended on founder numbers (propagule size) and introduction order (whether first or last to arrive in the habitat). Single founder guppies always failed to recruit in pools with resident killifish, which we posit is directly attributable to biotic resistance from the resident. However, increased propagule pressure (introduction attempts and propagule number) greatly increased the probability of successful invasion. Our results have two main implications. The first is that guppies are capable of being successful colonisers even in the presence of a resident intraguild predator. The second is to highlight the role that biotic resistance can play in preventing establishment in small‐water habitats, especially under circumstances of low propagule pressure. While previous studies have shown that guppies are strong colonisers outside of their native range, our findings suggest that this may not always be the case when there are other small‐bodied fish present. Accordingly, we argue that in small‐water habitats, biotic resistance and intraguild predation relationships should be important considerations when the ability to establish is being assessed for a taxon.

Which do second-generation heirs prefer in family firms: real investment or financial investment?

ABSTRACT In recent years, the financial investment level of enterprises particularly family firms has increased rapidly. This phenomenon has drawn intense attention from both government regulators and academia. In this study, we argue that the second-generation succession is an important reason for family firms’ preference for financial investment. Using 9,701 firm-year observations of Chinese family listed firms from 2007 to 2018, we find that the second-generation succession has a positive effect on financial investment in family firms, while successors with professional background have less preference for financial investment. Further, the positive effect exists mainly in both preparation and epistasis stages of second-generation succession. The number of family founders’ children will enhance successors' preference for financial investment. Finally, financial investment especially long-term one reduces real investment, and damages future performance.

Assessment of population structure and genetic diversity of German Angora rabbit through pedigree analysis.

The main goals of this investigation were to i) assess the population structure and genetic diversity and ii) determine the efficiency of the ongoing breeding program in a closed flock of Angora rabbits through pedigree analysis. The pedigree records of 6,145 animals, born between 1996 to 2020 at NTRS, ICAR-CSWRI, Garsa were analyzed using ENDOG version 4.8 software package. The genealogical information, genetic conservation index and parameters based on gene origin probabilities were estimated. Analysis revealed that, 99.09% of the kits had both parents recorded in the whole dataset. The completeness levels for the whole pedigree were 99.12%, 97.12%, 90.66%, 82.49%, and 74.11% for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th generations, respectively, reflecting well-maintained pedigree records. The maximum inbreeding, average inbreeding and relatedness were 36.96%, 8.07%, and 15.82%, respectively. The mean maximum, mean equivalent and mean completed generations were 10.28, 7.91, and 5.51 with 0.85%, 1.19%, and 1.85% increase in inbreeding, respectively. The effective population size estimated from maximum, equivalent and complete generations were 58.50, 27.05, and 42.08, respectively. Only 1.51% of total mating was highly inbred. The effective population size computed via the individual increase in inbreeding was 42.83. The effective numbers of founders (fe), ancestors (fa), founder genomes (fg) and non-founder genomes (fng) were 18, 16, 6.22, and 9.50, respectively. The fe/fa ratio was 1.12, indicating occasional bottlenecks had occurred in the population. The six most influential ancestors explained 50% of genes contributed to the gene pool. The average generation interval was 1.51 years and was longer for the sireoffspring pathway. The population lost 8% genetic diversity over time, however, considerable genetic variability still existed in the closed Angora population. This study provides important and practical insights to manage and maintain the genetic variability within the individual flock and the entire population.

Introduced, Mixed, and Peripheral: Conservation of Mitochondrial-DNA Lineages in the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) Population in the Urals

Translocations and introductions are important events that allow organisms to overcome natural barriers. The genetic background of colonization success and genetic consequences of the establishment of populations in new environments are of great interest for predicting species’ colonization success. The wild boar has been introduced into many parts of the world. We analyzed sequences of the mitochondrial-DNA control region in the wild boars introduced into the Ural region and compared them with sequences from founder populations (from Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Far East). We found that the introduced population has high genetic diversity. Haplotypes from all the major phylogenetic clades were detected in the analyzed group of the animals from the Urals. In this group, no haplotypes identical to Far Eastern sequences were detectable despite a large number of founders from that region. The contribution of lineages originating from Eastern Europe was greater than expected from the proportions (%) of European and Asian animals in the founder populations. This is the first study on the genetic diversity and structure of a wild boar population of mixed origin at the northern periphery of this species’ geographical range.

Inbreeding and pedigree analysis of the European red dairy cattle

BackgroundRed dairy cattle breeds have an important role in the European dairy sector because of their functional characteristics and good health. Extensive pedigree information is available for these breeds and provides a unique opportunity to examine their population structure, such as effective population size, depth of the pedigree, and effective number of founders and ancestors, and inbreeding levels. Animals with the highest genetic contributions were identified. Pedigree data included 9,073,403 animals that were born between 1900 and 2019 from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden, and covered 32 breeds. The numerically largest breeds were Red Dairy Cattle and Meuse-Rhine-Yssel.ResultsThe deepest average complete generation equivalent (9.39) was found for Red Dairy Cattle in 2017. Mean pedigree completeness ranged from 0.6 for Finncattle to 7.51 for Red Dairy Cattle. An effective population size of 166 animals was estimated for the total pedigree and ranged from 35 (Rotes Höhenvieh) to 226 (Red Dairy Cattle). Average generation intervals were between 5 and 7 years. The mean inbreeding coefficient for animals born between 1960 and 2018 was 1.5%, with the highest inbreeding coefficients observed for Traditional Angler (4.2%) and Rotes Höhenvieh (4.1%). The most influential animal was a Dutch Meuse-Rhine-Yssel bull born in 1960. The mean inbreeding level for animals born between 2016 and 2018 was 2% and highest for the Meuse-Rhine-Yssel (4.64%) and Rotes Hohenvieh breeds (3.80%).ConclusionsWe provide the first detailed analysis of the genetic diversity and inbreeding levels of the European red dairy cattle breeds. Rotes Höhenvieh and Traditional Angler have high inbreeding levels and are either close to or below the minimal recommended effective population size, thus it is necessary to implement tools to monitor the selection process in order to control inbreeding in these breeds. Red Dairy Cattle, Vorderwälder, Swedish Polled and Hinterwälder hold more genetic diversity. Regarding the Meuse-Rhine-Yssel breed, given its decreased population size, increased inbreeding and low effective population size, we recommend implementation of a breeding program to prevent further loss in its genetic diversity.

Broad-based Employee Ownership in Great Reset of capitalism

Purpose: the authors explore the Role of Employee Ownership in the context of the Great Reset of Capitalism.Methods: in contrast to the theory of stakeholder capitalism, this article discusses an alternative point of view on the reset of capitalism – through the Broad-based Employee Ownership of companies in the world and Russian economy. The article criticizes G. Dow's methodological approaches and the underestimation on the contribution of Labour-managed firms to the world economy. The criterion of "45 founders or more" is applied to the mass ownership of employees, with a minimum number of founders of a cooperative of 5 persons.Results: the article presets results of two empirical studies. The first is to verify the current assessment of the head of the National Center for Worker Ownership (NCEO) on the significant role of Employee Ownership. Since neither the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) nor its analogues are implemented in Russia, the second empirical study was conducted on an array of 15,086 agricultural cooperatives representing small and medium-sized businesses in the Russian Federation.Сonclusions and Relevance: it is concluded that the NCEO assessment was fully confirmed, and accordingly, G. Dow's assessment was refuted. The share of medium-sized enterprises-agricultural cooperatives with mass ownership of workers (45 founders or more) in the general database of enterprises-agricultural cooperatives is estimated to be an order of magnitude higher than the share of medium-sized enterprises in the total number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To improve the mechanism of state financial support in the long term, new directions havebeen identified: the organizational and legal the form of a small and medium-sized business entity, the ownership and Broad-based employee ownership (founders /co-owners) of companies.

Variabilidade genética do gado Guzerat criado no norte do Brasil, com base na análise do pedigree

ABSTRACT Genealogical data comprised 45,711 animals born between 1901 and 2016, with 48,127 animals in the pedigree file. Population structure was analyzed in terms of pedigree completeness, individual inbreeding coefficient (F), generation interval (L), rate of inbreeding (ΔF), effective population size (Ne), effective number of founders (ff), and effective number of ancestors (fa). The herd initially consisted of 13 bulls and 14 cows, and there were variations in the number of selected bulls and cows throughout the analyzed period, with 2,575 bulls, 13,691 cows, and 45,711 births recorded at the end of 2016. In total, 48.81% of the cows had only one progeny. Most dams (47.59%) were between three and seven years old, with a mean L in the population of 7.9 years. According to the results, 52.75% of the cows, 44.92% of the bulls, and 63.71% of the calves of the Guzerat breed in the northern region of Brazil showed some degree of inbreeding, with small-magnitude coefficients (0.56, 0.83, and 0.71% for cows, bulls, and calves, respectively). This fluctuation did not hinder the genetic evolution of the herd in the region. The effective population size does not seem to compromise the maintenance of genetic variability in the breed.