The Influence of Inbreeding Depression and Hybrid Superiority on Wood Property and Tree Growth of Eucalypt

With F1 of self pollinated Eucalyptus urophylla, F1 of inter tree pollinated E.urophylla, F1of open pollinated E.urophylla and F1 of E.urophylla×grandis as materials,inbreeding depression and hybrid superiority in growth and wood traits are analyzed and discussed.The results are as follows.①There was a regularity for E.urophylla that F1 of self pollinated was subjected to more intense depression than F1 of open pollinated,and growth traits showed more signifcant depression than wood traits.②As to F1 of self pollinated E.urophylla, height,DBH and volume showed significant or extremely significant depression,while water content of green wood,wood density and bark thickness showed no significant depression.③As to F1 of open pollinated E.urophylla, height,DBH and volume showed depression to a certain degree,but not significant;Here again,water content of green wood,wood density and bark thickness showed no significant depression.④F1 of E.urophylla×grandis showed significant hybrid superiority in height,DBH and volume,but the hybrid superiority percentage of different cross pairs varied greatly;It showed no hybrid superiority in water content of green wood,wood density and fiber length;Its bark thickness and content of 1% NaOH extractives decreased evidently.

Genetic basis of heterosis and inbreeding depression in rice （Oryza sativa L.）

The genetic basis of heterosis was studied through mid-parent, standard variety and better parent for 11 quantitative traits in 17 parental lines and their 10 selected hybrids in rice (Oryza sativa L.).The characters were plant height,days to flag leaf initiation, days to first panicle initiation, days to 100% flowering, panicle length,flag leaf length, days to maturity, number of fertile spikelet/panicle, number of effective tillers/hill, grain yield/10-hill, and 1000-grain weight.In general the hybrids performed significantly better than the respective parents.Significant heterosis was observed for most of the studied characters. Among the 10 hybrids, four hybrids viz., 17A×45R,25A×37R,27A×39R,31A×47R,and 35A×47R showed highest heterosis in 10-hill grain yield/10-hill. Inbreeding depression of F2 progeny was also studied for 11 characters of 10 hybrids.Both positive and negative inbreeding depression were found in many crosses for the studied characters,but none was found significant. Selection of good parents was found to be the most important for developing high yielding hybrid rice varieties.

The Quadraplex Tetraploids Hybrids and Duplex Tetraploids Hybrids Are Responsible for Heterosis and Inbreeding Depression in Maize

The maize quadraplex tetraploids and duplex tetraploids were developed using Kato’s protocols. The phenotype ofheterosis and inbreeding depression over generations in their parents and progenies of F1, F2 and F3 were investigated.The results indicated that different duplex tetraploids have different genetic backgrounds, but they acquire maximumheterosis at same traits, such as the leaf length, leaf width, culm circumference and days to flowering. P.N. rises muchfaster from the F2 to F3 segment than the A.W. does for the plant height in duplex tetraploids. In comparing duplex andquadraplex over a generation the quadriplex is showing the greatest heterosis in plant height, leaf height, leaf width anddays to flowering. Most of the examples achieve the maximum heterosis at Qu F2, with the exception of culm circumference,which achieves greatest heterosis at PNAW F1. Meanwhile, this experiment shows that quadraplex tetraploids has distinctadditional favorable alleles that are not contained in duplex tetraploid, this is demonstrated by the heterosis found incrosses between the two duplex tetraploid. This finding helps explain quadraploids superiority and unique breedingbehavior, in which, the progressive heterosis and inbreeding depression in maize are due mainly to linkage disequilibrium.The severe inbreeding depression in duplex tetraploids is due mainly to the rapid loss of complementary chromosomes orgenes interactions in the first few generation of inbreeding. Correspondingly, the progressive heterosis in quadraplextetraploids is due mainly to a progressive increase in complementarities of homologous chromosomes or genes interactions.Greater complementarities of homologous chromosomes or genes interactions in tetraploids maize alse helps explainrecent molecular biology research indicating that some of traits in quadraplex tetraploids are more responsive to geneticdiversity than in duplex tetraploids. In addition, the dosage effect of polyploid in relation to the genetic basis of heterosisand inbreeding depression were discussed also.

Inbreeding and Inbreeding Depression in a Deciduous Shrub, Magnolia salicifolia, in the Understory of a Japanese Beech Forest

Authors conducted pollination experiments and genetic analyses using microsatellite loci for a natural population of a shrub species,Magnolia salicifolia,in a secondary Japanese beech forest in Hakkoda mountains,northern Japan,to analyze inbreeding and inbreeding depression that involve sexual reproduction and population genetic structure of the species.The pollination experiments revealed that self-fertilization through geitonogamy is possible and that the magnitude of inbreeding depression(δ)at the embryonic stage is substantial(δ=0.42),suggesting that the inbreeding depression due to self-fertilization decreases seed production of the natural population.The genetic analyses showed discrepancy in the level of inbreeding between life history stages:the inbreeding coefficient for the juvenile and adult stage was 0.17 and 0.01,respectively,implying that most of inbred progenies cannot grow to the adult stage in the population,since the cumulative inbreeding depression is severe.These results are consistent with the hypothesis that explains mechanisms causing stable maintenance of severe inbreeding depression in partially inbred populations by focusing on the selective interference among deleterious mutations.It is suggested that some reproductive traits facilitating outcrossing in the species would be attributed to the severe cumulative inbreeding depression.

Heterosis and Inbreeding Depression in Sunflower

Information on heterosis and inbreeding depression for yield and agronomic characters is essential for sunflower （Helianthus annuus L.） breeding programs. This research was conducted to evaluate heterosis and inbreeding depression for yield and agronomic characters of hybrids involving eight sunflower inbred lines. These inbred lines were crossed in 8×8 half diallel to obtain 28 F The 28 hybrids were self-pollinated to produce the F2 generation. The 8 parents, 28 F1 hybrids and 28 F2 populations hybrids were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications at two locations in Nakhon Ratchasima （SUT Farm and National Corn and Sorghum Research Center） in 2009. Mid-parent heterosis and inbreeding depression were estimated for yield, head diamete oil content, 1,000-seed weight and plant height. Significant differences were found among the parents, F1 hybrids and F2 populations for all traits. F1 hybrid means were significantly higher than the parental means for all traits. In addition, F1 hybrids considerable heterosis and heterobeltiosis when compared with the mid-parent and better parents, respectively. Yield, showed oil content and plant height showed highly positive heterosis in F1 hybrids, ranging from 14.48 to 49.45%, 8.88 to 33.22% and 9.51 to 29 respectively. Similarly, heterobeltiosis were positive significant for yield （19.22 to 49.04%）, oil content （8.65 to 28.30%） and height （2,83 to 27.61%）. However, 1,000-seed weight showed a low level of heterosis in F1 hybrids （-9.36 to 8,07%） oil content, 1,000-seed weight and plant height in F2 populations were lower than their respective Fi hybrids the F2 populations was comparatively high for yield, oil content and plant height. The cross of lines 5A×for yield （49.45%） and 1,000 seed-weight （8.07%） but low 25%, plant Means for yield, Inbreeding depression in 2A gave the highest heterosis inbreeding depression for yield （10.06%）. Based on the mean performance and heterotic effects for seed yield, 1,000-seed weight and oil content, the inbred lines 2A and 5A are suggested for the development o hybrids,

The genetic basis and process of inbreeding depression in an elite hybrid rice

Inbreeding depression refers to the reduced performance arising from increased homozygosity,a phenomenon that is the reverse of heterosis and exists among plants and animals.As a natural self-pollinated crop with strong heterosis,the mechanism of inbreeding depression in rice is largely unknown.To understand the genetic basis of inbreeding depression,we constructed a successive inbreeding population from the F_(2)to F_(4)generation and observed inbreeding depression of all heterotic traits in the progeny along with the decay of heterozygosity in each generation.The expected depression effect was largely explained by 13 QTLs showing dominant effects for spikelets per panicle,11 for primary branches,and 12 for secondary branches,and these loci constitute the main correlation between heterosis and inbreeding depression.However,the genetic basis of inbreeding depression is also distinct from that of heterosis,such that a biased transmission ratio of alleles for QTLs with either dominant or additive effects in four segregation distortion regions would result in minor effects in expected depression.Noticeably,two-locus interactions may change the extent and direction of the depression effects of the target loci,and overall interactions would promote inbreeding depression among generations.Using an F_(2:3)variation population,the actual performance of the loci showing expected depression was evaluated considering the heterozygosity decay in the background after inbreeding.We found inconsistent or various degrees of background depression from the F_(2)to F_(3)generation assuming different genotypes of the target locus,which may affect the actual depression effect of the locus due to epistasis.The results suggest that the genetic architecture of inbreeding depression and heterosis is closely linked but also differs in their intrinsic mechanisms,which expand our understanding of the whole-genome architecture of inbreeding depression.

Breeding Biology of Isolated Captive Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) at the Shanghai Zoo, China

The breeding biology of a captive, isolated population of Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) at theShanghaiZoo,China, was studied from 2007 to 2019. The breeding age of the Dalmatian Pelicans was estimated at three to four years old, and they started breeding in late October or early November. The clutch size varied between one and two eggs per nest, and the eggs were 83.2 ±4.8 mmin length, 55.6 ±2.9 mmin breadth and 136.1 ±21.5 gin weight. The fertility fluctuated slightly, with an average rate of 38.7% ± 9.7%, but remained consistently low. The survival rate of chicks fluctuated substantially from 0% to 100%, with an average survival rate of 68.6% ± 27.6%. The averaged values of observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity and polymorphism information content were 0.468, 0.465 and 0.446, respectively. It indicated that the population had a low heterozygosity and genetic diversity. There was a significant change in the breeding index compared to that recorded 40 years ago, which indicates that inbreeding depression has occurred in this small, isolated, captive population of Dalmatian Pelicans. These results can be used to improve management of Dalmatian Pelicans in captivity.

Effects of effective population size on the F_2 growth and survival of bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck)

In 2002, six cohorts ofbroodstock bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians （Ne=1, 2, 10, 30, 50 and control） were randomly chosen from a population of bay scallop to produce offspring. After one year rearing, with the progeny matured, the similar experiment was done to produce the F2 generation. To determine the magnitude of Ne effects, the growth and survival rates in larvae and adult of six F2 groups were compared. Results showed that inbreeding depression existed not only in the Ne=1 group but also in the Ne=2 group. The growth and survival rates of the two groups were significantly lower than those of the other groups （Ne=10, 30, 50, control）, and there were no significant differences among the latter （P〉0.05）. At the same time, the amount of depression in the Ne=1 group was significantly higher than that of the Ne=2 group （P〈0.05）. These results indicated that the low effective population size （Ne）, which increases the possibility of inbreeding, could lead to some harmful effects on the offspring. So it is essential to maintain a high level of Ne in commercial seed production. Fta＇thermore, as the high fecundity of bay scallop might lead to increased inbreeding, selecting broodstock from different growout sites is recommended.

Breeding system and its consequence on fruit set of a rare sand dune shrub Eremosparton songoricum(Fabaceae:Papilionoideae):implications for conservation

The breeding system and its consequence on fruit set of Eremosparton songoricum（Litv.） Vass.,a rare shrubby legume occurring in moving or semi-fixed sand dunes of Central Asian deserts,were examined by manipulative experiments and observational studies in natural populations during the period of 2007-2009.The results showed that E.songoricum exhibits a mixed mating system.It is self-compatible,but depends strictly on pollinators to set fruits.Only two effective pollinators were detected and they triggered the specialized pollination mechanism（a ＇brush type＇ and ＇tripping mechanism＇）.Geitonogamy becomes predominant in natural populations,because（74.5±1.3）% of visiting activity happened within or between inflorescences and（24.3±1.4）% occurred between ramets.As a result,inbreeding depression caused by geitonogamous selfing inevitably happened under natural conditions,showing 2.36 times less fruit set than was achieved by hand cross-pollination.The results explained the rarity of the species due to its breeding system,and will assist to develop suitable conservation strategies in severe desert environments.

Gold: A Unique Pigmentation Defective Laboratory Strain of the Lady Beetle

A laboratory colony of Coleomegilla maculata (De Geer) was selected for a novel phenotypic color trait. The phenotype was paler in color than the wild type, although not as pale as a previously described mutant strain, yellow (ye), and retained dark pigmentation in the eyes. This selected strain was named gold. Mendelian breeding experiments indicate a recessive biallelic inheritance. The strain has decreased fitness characteristics based on measurements of egg production and pupa size.

No correlation between neonatal fitness and heterozygosity in a reintroduced population of P^re David＇s deer

Considering the severe impacts of genetic bottlenecks and small numbers of founders in populations of reintroduced animals, it is necessary to study inbreeding and its effect on fitness in species of conservation concern. Pere David＇s deer is one of few large mammal species extinct in the wild but safely preserved in captivity. Its specific background gives us the opportunity to study the relationships between heterozygosity and neonatal fitness in relocated populations. We employed five microsatellite loci to explore heterozygosity-fitness correlations in a population of Pere David＇s deer at the Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center. We observed associations between microsatellite-based variables sMLH, IR, MD^2 and HL, and two components of fitness ex- pressed early in life （birth weight and the neonatal mortality of 123 Pere David＇s deer calves born over six consecutive years）. We found that neonatal mortality was 19.1% - 7.6%, not higher than the 19% or 18% reported in other ungulates. The heterozygosity of calves was not associated with neonatal mortality, nor birth weight. Our study implies that low genetic variability of microsa- l：ellite loci has no overt effect on birth weight and neonatal mortality in reintroduced populations of P^re David＇s deer [Current Zoology 59 （2）： 249-256, 2013].

Heterosis in age-specific selected populations of a seed beetle： Sex differences in longevity and reproductive behavior

We tested mutation accumulation hypothesis for the evolution of senescence using short-lived and long-lived populations of the seed-feeding beetle, Acanthoscelides obtectus （Say）, obtained by selection on early- and late-life for many generations. The expected consequence of the mutation accumulation hypothesis is that in short-lived pop- ulations, where the force of natural selection is the strongest early in life, the late-life fitness traits should decline due to genetic drift which increases the frequency of mutations with deleterious effects in later adult stages. Since it is unlikely that identical deleterious mutations will increase in several independent populations, hybrid vigor for late-life fit- ness is expected in offspring obtained in crosses among populations selected for early-life fitness traits. We tested longevity of both sexes, female fecundity and male reproductive behavior for hybrid vigor by comparing hybrid and nonhybrid short-lived populations. Hybrid vigor was confirmed for male virility, mating speed and copulation duration, and longevity of both sexes at late ages. In contrast to males, the results on female fecundity in short-lived populations did not support mutation accumulation as a genetic mechanism for the evolution of this trait. Contrary to the prediction of this hypothesis, male mating ability indices and female fecundity in long-lived populations exhibited hybrid vigor at all assayed age classes. We demonstrate that nonhybrid long-lived populations diverged randomly regarding female and male reproductive fitness, indicating that sexually antag- onistic selection, when accompanied with genetic drift for female fecundity and male virility, might be responsible for overriding natural selection in the independently evolving long-lived populations.

Differences in floral traits and flower visitation rates in mating systems in Prunella vulgaris(Lamiaceae)

Floral traits and the number of visitors are expected to change with different mating systems.We tested this hypothesis by comparing flowers of Prunella vulgaris(Lamiaceae)with inserted and exserted styles across a strongly exserted style biased,an exserted style biased,and a strongly inserted style biased subalpine population.We examined flowering phenology,floral morphology,flower visitation rate,capacity for autonomous selfpollination and visitor contribution to seed production for each style type and in each population.We also examined inbreeding depression(ID)by comparing the relative performance of progeny from self-and crosspollination.Exserted style plants had larger and more open flowers,increased pollen production,higher amounts of nectar rewards and higher visitation and outcrossing rates than inserted style plants.Similarly on the population level,the visitation rates were higher in the exserted style-biased populations than in the inserted style-biased population.Inserted style plants provided a stronger reproductive assurance(RA)through autonomous selfing than exserted style plants.RA and outcrossing rates did not differ among populations,showing low visitation rates may be sufficient for adequate seed production in P.vulgaris.Although inserted style plants had a lower ID level than exserted style plants,the ID of both was less than 0.5,suggesting that an ID should not counteract the evolution of selfing in this species.Inserted style plants provide RA through autonomous selfing,and exserted style plants ensure outcrossing through pollinator services,supporting a stable mixed mating system in this subalpine plant.

The effect of pollen source on seed traits and dispersability in the heterocarpic annual Crepis sancta

Aims The evolution and expression of dispersal-related traits are intertwined with those of other life-history functions and are manifested within various physiological constraints.Such a relationship is predicted between inbreeding levels and dispersability,which may be anatomically and ontogenetically linked so that the selection pressures on one may affect the other.While both the effect of inbreeding on reproductive success and on dispersal strategies received much attention,only a few studies considered both simultaneously.Furthermore,such studies often rely on two dichotomic representations of breeding and dispersal:using selfing versus outcrossing as a representation of breeding level,and dispersal ratio as the sole representation of dispersal strategy.Methods Here,we used pollination experiments in the heterocarpic Crepis sancta(Asteraceae)to expand in two different manners on the common practice of using dichotomic representations of breeding and dispersal.First,we used pollination treatments that represent a continuum from selfing through pollination by kin to pollination by a distant neighbor.Second,we measured a whole set of continuous morphological and dispersal-related traits,in addition to measurements of reproductive success and dispersal ratio.Important Findings The proportion of developed capitula and the number of both dispersed and non-dispersed achenes were significantly lower in the self-pollination treatment in comparison to the outcrossed treatments.The effect of pollen sources on dispersal ratio was not statistically significant,though self-pollinated plants rarely produced non-dispersing seeds.Achene's biomass increased with distance between parent plants,but pappus width did not,leading to a nonsignificant effect of pollination on falling velocity.Overall,pollen source affected mainly traits that were associated with reproductive output,but it had no clear effect on predominately dispersal-related traits.Such differences in the response of reproduction and dispersal traits to variation in pollen source suggest that dispersal-related selection is probably weak and/or masked by other forces.