![]() These problems were reduced with outcrossing. The purebred rabbits took longer to attempt mating, and nursing behavior in mothers was not as effective. In a finding that may have implications for the Sumatran tigers, Elias’s purebred rabbits also had problems with their mating behavior. Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit via Wikimedia Commons Adjustments in other factors, such as the ambient temperature and birth timing, also had an impact. A small increase in genetic diversity increased both the number of babies born and the number that survived. Overall reproductive success improved when a few pygmy rabbits from another population were included. The offspring of purebred Columbia Basin rabbit pairs routinely suffered from a variety of fatal conditions. ![]() ![]() During a ten-year captive breeding program in which mating pairs were carefully selected for genetic diversity, the starting population was so low that inbreeding was basically unavoidable. Elias et al. faced a similar conundrum when breeding the incredibly rare Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit. ![]() With only 400 individuals left, inbreeding is a major risk.īecky A. These two tigers had been carefully chosen. A small increase in genetic diversity increased both the number of babies born and the number that survived.Įspecially for species with extremely low populations, the genetic match is the primary concern. ![]()
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