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Posted by Rick Staub on January 04, 1999 at 14:16:38:
In Reply to: Re: linebreeding and inbreeding posted by Rainshadow on January 04, 1999 at 02:29:12:
As far as I know, inbreeding depression has never been shown in reptiles. It is quite possible that inbreeding occurs naturally in many wild populations such as restricted islands (Saint Estabon chuckwallas) and restricted microhabitats (L. zonata and L. pyromelana) populations. In fact, the large number of snake species in captivity that have originated from only a few wild caught founder animals (ie Pueblen milksnakes) and all the recessive mutations (ie albinism) that have been exploited through inbreeding suggest that inbreeding is not a big problem in reptiles. A breeder in S. Cal has backcrossed (offspring to parent) Cal kings for probably 10 generations by now and has not seen any inbreeding depression (offspring are just as hardy as original crosses). The difficulty with accessing inbreeding depression is that it is difficult to differentiate it from poor husbandry. I remember when everyone used to claim that Dumerils boas were inbred and that was why they were so difficult to keep and breed. Hard to say that now since they are everywhere and everyone is breeding them. I still think it is wiser to outcross animals when possible but I do think that much to big a deal has been made over inbreeding. Statistically it takes about 500 animals to maintain an outbred group. Rick Staub
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: Well,almost. Line breeding is a term that refers to breeding within the same bloodline,usually sibling to sibling,as the practice of breeding offspring back to parents,is refered to as,backcrossing. One could refer to this as inbreeding,quite simply because it is. When animal breeders refer to inbreeding in a negative way,they are usually refering to a condition known as "inbreeding depression" which can occur as a result of excessive,and,repetative inbreeding,without the introduction of unrelated animals of the same species,into the project,or,"outbreeding". Inbreeding depression can manifest in a variety of ways,but,basicly represents a breakdown,or,weakening of an organism geneticly,through physical anomolies. Of course this is just my opinion....I could be wrong... R...
