Open AccessPopulation density and inbreeding effect on moose Alces alces reproduction
Author(s) -
Wallin Kjell,
Bergström Roger,
Vikberg Mats
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
wildlife biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.566
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1903-220X
pISSN - 0909-6396
DOI - 10.2981/wlb.1995.0027
Subject(s) - inbreeding , biology , population , reproduction , inbreeding avoidance , population density , density dependence , inbreeding depression , effective population size , zoology , ecology , demography , genetic variation , sociology
The relationship between reproduction, age‐structure, inbreeding and population density was analysed in an enclosed moose Alces alces population in Sweden. There was a strong negative relationship between the yearly average number of calves produced per cow and population density. Other variables, such as the average age of the cows and inbreeding also covaried with density. Taking these variables into account, a relationship remained between density and reproductive rate. An inbreeding index of three‐year‐old cows was negatively related to their calf production. Inbred, old (≥ 4 years) cows had a significantly lower calf production than old, outbred cows. Taking density into account, the effect of inbreeding remained. Even though inbreeding had a measurable effect at the individual level, the impact at population level was small and insignificant. During the early growth phase of the founder population, inbreeding remained low and had no negative effect on early population dynamics. The reason for this is that the first inbred individuals did not appear until the third generation. Therefore, a founder population can grow for a fairly long time and reach high population numbers before the effect of inbreeding appears. This means that the negative effects of inbreeding may increase in importance beyond our 12 years of study.