Data from: Unexpected positive and negative effects of continuing inbreeding in one of the world’s most inbred wild animals

Weiser, Emily L., Kansas State University, University of Otago

Grueber, Catherine E., University of Sydney, University of Otago

Kennedy, Euan S., Department of Conservation

Jamieson, Ian G., University of Otago

Published Dec 10, 2015 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.81tg6

Cite this dataset

Weiser, Emily L.; Grueber, Catherine E.; Kennedy, Euan S.; Jamieson, Ian G. (2015). Data from: Unexpected positive and negative effects of continuing inbreeding in one of the world’s most inbred wild animals [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.81tg6

Abstract

Inbreeding depression, the reduced fitness of offspring of related individuals, is a central theme in evolutionary biology. Inbreeding effects are influenced by the genetic makeup of a population, which is driven by any history of genetic bottlenecks and genetic drift. The Chatham Island black robin represents a case of extreme inbreeding following two severe population bottlenecks. We tested whether inbreeding measured by a 20-year pedigree predicted variation in fitness among individuals, despite the high mean level of inbreeding and low genetic diversity in this species. We found that paternal and maternal inbreeding reduced fledgling survival and individual inbreeding reduced juvenile survival, indicating that inbreeding depression affects even this highly inbred population. Close inbreeding also reduced survival for fledglings with less-inbred mothers, but unexpectedly improved survival for fledglings with highly inbred mothers. This counterintuitive interaction could not be explained by various potentially confounding variables. We propose a genetic mechanism, whereby a highly inbred chick with a highly inbred parent inherits a “proven” genotype and thus experiences a fitness advantage, which could explain the interaction. The positive and negative effects we found emphasize that continuing inbreeding can have important effects on individual fitness, even in populations that are already highly inbred.

Usage notes

Black robin individual data

Individual data (parentage, sex, hatch date, population, inbreeding coefficient, etc.) of Chatham Island black robins, as used in analyses by Weiser et al. (Evolution). Data were collected in wild populations in 1990-2001. One line per individual. Individual ID is the number from the first metal band applied to the individual. "Rim_layer" column indicates whether the individual ever laid eggs on the rim of the nest; relevant for females only.

Weiser et al_DatasetS1.csv

Black robin breeding data

Breeding data (breeding pair IDs, kinship, location of nest in UTMs, distance to nearest neighbor's nest, number of offspring) for Chatham Island black robins, as used in analyses by Weiser et al. (Evolution). Data were collected in three wild subpopulations (Mangere Island, and Woolshed Bush and Top Bush on Rangatira Island) in 1990-2001. The file shows one line per clutch; some breeding pairs had multiple clutches in some years. Female and male IDs are the numbers from the first metal bands applied to each parent, and can be cross-referenced with the "individual data" file from this publication. "Independent young" are those that reach nutritional independence from parents, after fledging from the nest and being fed on the parents' territory for a month or two.

Weiser et al_DatasetS2.csv

Location

New Zealand

Chatham Islands