INTERMITTENT BREEDING AND CONSTRAINTS ON LITTER SIZE: CONSEQUENCES FOR EFFECTIVE POPULATION SIZE PER GENERATION (Ne) AND PER REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE (Nb)

摘要: In iteroparous species, it is easier to estimate Nb (effective number of breeders in one reproductive cycle) than Ne population size per generation). can be used as a proxy for and also provide crucial insights into eco-evolutionary processes that occur during reproduction. We analytical numerical methods evaluate effects intermittent breeding litter/clutch on inbreeding . Fixed or random litter sizes ≥ 3 have little effect either effective-size parameter; however, species (e.g., many large mammals) which females produce only offspring cycle, female  = ∞ overall 4Nb (male) Intermittent reduces the pool breeders, both ; reductions are larger high-fecundity with high juvenile mortality increase when multiple cycles skipped. Simulated data six model showed litter-size constraints , but slightly. show how quantitatively account these effects, important consider (1) using (2) drawing inferences about male success based estimates