Genetic substructure and admixture as important factors in linkage disequilibrium-based estimation of effective number of breeders in recovering wildlife populations.

摘要: The number of effective breeders (Nb ) and population size (Ne are parameters reflective evolutionary potential, susceptibility to stochasticity, viability. We have estimated these using the linkage disequilibrium-based approach with LDNE through latest phase recovery brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Finland (1993-2010; N = 621). This was recently documented be associated major changes genetic composition. In particular, differentiation between northern southern cluster declined rapidly within 1.5 generations. Based on this, we studied effects changing structure Nb Ne , by comparing estimates for whole two clusters. expected a potentially strong relationship estimate sizes differentiation, which should disappear as recovers clusters merge. Consistent our were lower than sum both approaches produced similar end. Notably, also found that admixed genotypes strongly increased estimates. all analyses, larger likely region northwestern Russia. Conclusively, find neglecting substructure may lead massive underestimation . Our results suggest need further empirical analysis focusing individuals their potential high influence