genetic disorder is a threat to captive breeding animals, so I am looking for any research that has estimated the period it take for the genetic disorder to start
Yes, there is some research published on how long it takes for captive breeding animals to show genetic disorders. The exact time frame can vary depending on the species, but it is generally thought that the risk of genetic disorders increases as the population size decreases and the inbreeding rate increases.
One study, published in the journal *Conservation Biology* in 2013, looked at the genetic health of captive cheetah populations. The study found that the risk of genetic disorders increased significantly as the population size decreased. For example, the risk of a cheetah cub being born with a genetic disorder was 10% in populations of 50 individuals, but it increased to 40% in populations of 20 individuals.
Another study, published in the journal *Animal Conservation* in 2017, looked at the genetic health of captive lions. The study found that the risk of genetic disorders increased as the inbreeding rate increased. For example, the risk of a lion cub being born with a genetic disorder was 5% in populations with an inbreeding rate of 0%, but it increased to 20% in populations with an inbreeding rate of 10%.
These studies suggest that the risk of genetic disorders in captive breeding animals can increase relatively quickly, especially in small populations with high inbreeding rates. This is why it is important to carefully manage captive breeding programs to minimize the risk of genetic disorders.
Here are some of the things that can be done to minimize the risk of genetic disorders in captive breeding programs:
* Start with a large and diverse population of animals.
* Avoid inbreeding by carefully selecting breeding pairs.
* Use genetic testing to identify and remove animals with genetic disorders.
* Introduce new individuals into the population from time to time to increase genetic diversity.
By taking these steps, it is possible to reduce the risk of genetic disorders in captive breeding programs and help to ensure the long-term survival of endangered species.
Thanks a lot dear Abdulla. However, this still did not answer my question as I am interested in research that has monitored the temporal development of genetic disorder and at what period of time issues starts to happen (i.e. inbreeding, fertility issues, death of cubs...etc). If you came across anything, please share it with me. Thanks again
Hey, i am not sure if the following articles will help you, but i used them when i start ask this question about wild pet birds to understand when and how genetic disorders starts.
Christie, M.R., Marine, M.L., French, R.A. and Blouin, M.S., 2012. Genetic adaptation to captivity can occur in a single generation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(1), pp.238-242.
Williams, S.E. and Hoffman, E.A., 2009. Minimizing genetic adaptation in captive breeding programs: a review. Biological conservation, 142(11), pp.2388-2400.
Purohit, D., Manu, S., Ram, M.S., Sharma, S., Patnaik, H.C., Deka, P.J., Narayan, G. and Umapathy, G., 2021. Genetic effects of long-term captive breeding on the endangered pygmy hog. PeerJ, 9, p.e12212.
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