Inbreeding?
- Thread starter tryme
- Start date
Eric Adrignola
Avid Member
Yes they do. But the problems are nearly 100% a result of the context, not the actualy inbreeding.
In the wild, there is very little preventing offspring from mating with each other, or their parents. There may be some dispersal mechanisims, like babies moving non-stop for a few days before settling down.
The thing about inbreeding, is that it results, in long term, in a more homogenous mix of genes. This in and of itself is not always a bad thing, but it can result in more frequent expression of deleterious phenotypes (ok, sometimes, when discussing genetics, my true nature as a raving science nerd comes out). Basically, inbreeding can result in more problems for the babies in the long run.
In the wild, this is of virtually no consequence, due to very tough selective forces. Most of a non-inbred clutch will die before reproducing, the same happens to an in-bred clutch. Any deformities, or genetic flaws are likely to be of little consequence, as those babies are not goign to make it.
The end result is that healthy ones live, less-fit individuals do not - inbred or not.
In captivity, in breeding can be very dangerous. If someone were to be very selective, and ensure that only the strong were to breed (virtually impossible if they sell any of the weaker ones - and who is going to cull 80-90% of their valuable clutch?), then it woudln't be a problem.
But with most babies surviving to be bred, regardless of their zise, strenght, color and general fitness, we weaken the gene pool.
Most captive breeding is "bad" for the species, in that just breed what we have, not really selectivng for quality animals. Some breeders make efforts to only breed animals that are very strong and colorful, with good size and overall fitness. Others just breed all of the animals they have, and the result is often animals of inconsistent quality, health and coloration. Check the proces online - there is a reason some people sell off veileds for $15 each, and others are selling them for $85.00 each.
In the wild, there is very little preventing offspring from mating with each other, or their parents. There may be some dispersal mechanisims, like babies moving non-stop for a few days before settling down.
The thing about inbreeding, is that it results, in long term, in a more homogenous mix of genes. This in and of itself is not always a bad thing, but it can result in more frequent expression of deleterious phenotypes (ok, sometimes, when discussing genetics, my true nature as a raving science nerd comes out). Basically, inbreeding can result in more problems for the babies in the long run.
In the wild, this is of virtually no consequence, due to very tough selective forces. Most of a non-inbred clutch will die before reproducing, the same happens to an in-bred clutch. Any deformities, or genetic flaws are likely to be of little consequence, as those babies are not goign to make it.
The end result is that healthy ones live, less-fit individuals do not - inbred or not.
In captivity, in breeding can be very dangerous. If someone were to be very selective, and ensure that only the strong were to breed (virtually impossible if they sell any of the weaker ones - and who is going to cull 80-90% of their valuable clutch?), then it woudln't be a problem.
But with most babies surviving to be bred, regardless of their zise, strenght, color and general fitness, we weaken the gene pool.
Most captive breeding is "bad" for the species, in that just breed what we have, not really selectivng for quality animals. Some breeders make efforts to only breed animals that are very strong and colorful, with good size and overall fitness. Others just breed all of the animals they have, and the result is often animals of inconsistent quality, health and coloration. Check the proces online - there is a reason some people sell off veileds for $15 each, and others are selling them for $85.00 each.
