The conservation of endangered species often hinges on the avoidance of inbreeding depression or the retention of genetic variation. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance for conservation biology to understand and characterize inbreeding depression. In the proposed research, inbreeding depression in Drosophila melanogaster as a model for endangered species in which such experimentation would not be possible. The influence of inbreeding on all components of fitness will be examined. In addition, the effect of inbreeding in the normal laboratory environment and two stress environments will be examined to obtain a more realistic view of the impact of inbreeding on endangered species. In a second component of the study a computer simulation program will be developed to analyze pedigree populations. Both genetic linkage and natural selection will be incorporated. As a result, the effect of different rates of inbreeding on inbreeding depression and the conditions for purging a population of lethal alleles will be determined. Furthermore, this technique will be applied to known pedigrees of endangered species to determine the expected inbreeding depression.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
8923007
Program Officer
Gregory J. McCants
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1990-06-01
Budget End
1992-07-01
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
$87,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
University Park
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
16802