| Sumario: | In this study, linear mixed model analyses was conducted to assess inbreeding depression, purging and founder heterogeneity in relation to fitness traits (survival traits and litter size) in captive populations of North Persian leopard and Mhorr gazelle. “Old” and “new”, ancestral, partial and partial ancestral inbreeding coefficients were included in the models as finer scale
measurements in addition to the classical inbreeding coefficient. In North Persian leopard, possible inbreeding depression for survival at days 7 and 30 after birth and weaning age (90 days) is associated with individual/ litter
classical inbreeding, further attributed mainly to “old” inbreeding. However, a sign of purging can be observed because increased dam inbreeding corresponds with an increased probability for survival of the offspring.
Detailed analyses revealed that this effect is significantly associated with the “new” inbreeding of the dam. Inbreeding depression is also expressed as litter size reduction. Ancestral inbreeding significantly reduces litter size but has no effect on survival traits. Therefore, no purging could be detected using ancestral inbreeding coefficients. On the other hand, individual classical and “new” inbreeding increases the mortality of Mhorr gazelle at weaning (day 180). Sire inbreeding significantly increases mortality at days 7, 30 and 180
which is further associated with “old” and “new” inbreeding. In both species, there is unbalanced founder contribution of alleles causing inbreeding depression and purging in fitness traits as shown in the results from the
analyses including partial and partial ancestral inbreeding coefficients. The study shows that the magnitude of response to inbreeding differs between species and fitness traits.
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