The Inbreeding Paradox: Is Inbreeding Avoidance Inevitable? - A Case
Study of Moose in the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China
Abstract
Genetic diversity is an important factor reflecting the resistance
stability and resilience of species. The prevailing view in population
genetics is that species attempt to adopt various strategies to avoid
the harms of inbreeding. We speculate that sometimes individuals do not
reject mating requests from relatives when choosing mates. Moose (Alces
alces cameloides) in the Greater Khingan Mountains (GKM) of China is a
first-class key protected species. It represents the southernmost
distribution of moose globally and serves as a thermosensitive species
of global significance. Based on the state of moose in China, we used a
non-invasive sampling method to conduct a series of studies on genetic
diversity and inbreeding. The mitochondrial and nuclear genetic
diversity of moose in this area are at a moderately high level
worldwide, with good individual genetic quality, a high level of overall
genotype heterozygosity. The Bayesian gene flow level indicates gene
exchange between local populations. Molecular pedigrees revealed
instances where individuals mated with their offspring or even
grandchildren. The correlation coefficients between moose mating pairs
were significantly higher than those of random mating. Therefore, there
is no evidence that individuals in the GKM avoid inbreeding, and under
these circumstances, there has not been a negative impact on genetic
diversity of the moose population, as well as the genetic quality and
genotype heterozygosity of offspring. In the context of future climate
change and human activities, we need to closely monitor the long-term
impact of this mating choice on the survival of the GKM moose population
and promptly develop corresponding conservation and management
strategies.