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Restoration of an inbred adder population

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Madsen

    (School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney)

  • Richard Shine

    (Lund University)

  • Mats Olsson

    (Animal Ecology, University of Gothenburg)

  • Håkan Wittzell

    (Lund University)

Abstract

The negative effects of inbreeding on population size are well documented in captive animals1, but there is surprisingly little evidence that genetic factors cause a decline in wild populations2,3, apart from a reported correlation of low levels of genetic variability with a high incidence of malformed or stillborn offspring4. From the point of view of conservation strategies, it is not only the effect of genetic factors on population decline that needs to be considered, but also whether introducing novel genes can prevent or reverse such a decline. Here we show that the introduction of new genes into a severely inbred and isolated population of adders (Vipera berus) halted its precipitous decline towards extinction and expanded the population dramatically.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Madsen & Richard Shine & Mats Olsson & Håkan Wittzell, 1999. "Restoration of an inbred adder population," Nature, Nature, vol. 402(6757), pages 34-35, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:402:y:1999:i:6757:d:10.1038_46941
    DOI: 10.1038/46941
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    Cited by:

    1. Weesie, Peter & Andel, J. van, 2003. "On biodiversity and its valuation," CDS Research Reports 200218, University of Groningen, Centre for Development Studies (CDS).
    2. repec:dgr:rugcds:200218 is not listed on IDEAS

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