The Natural History of Inbreeding and Outbreeding

The Natural History of Inbreeding and Outbreeding

Author: Nancy Wilmsen Thornhill

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 1993-08-15

Total Pages: 583

ISBN-13: 0226798550

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Inbreeding, the mating of close kin, and outbreeding, the mating of distant relatives or unrelated organisms, have long been important subjects to evolutionary biologists. Inbreeding reduces genetic diversity in a population, increasing the likelihood that genetic defects will become widespread and deprive a population of the diversity it may need to cope with its environment. Most plants and animals have evolved behavioral and morphological mechanisms to avoid inbreeding. However, today many endangered species exist only in small, very isolated populations where inbreeding is unavoidable, so it has become a concern for conservationists. In this volume, twenty-six experts in evolution, behavior, and genetics examine the causes and consequences of inbreeding. The authors ask whether inbreeding is as problematic as biologists have thought, under what ecological conditions inbreeding occurs, and whether organisms that inbreed have mechanisms to dampen the anticipated problems of reduced genetic variation. The studies, including theoretical and empirical work on wild and captive populations, demonstrate that many plants and animals inbreed to a greater extent than biologists have thought, with variable effects on individual fitness. Graduate students and researchers in evolutionary biology, animal behavior, ecology, and conservation biology will welcome this wide-ranging collection.


Consanguinity in Context

Consanguinity in Context

Author: Alan H. Bittles

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2012-05-24

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 1107376939

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An essential guide to this major contemporary issue, Consanguinity in Context is a uniquely comprehensive account of intra-familial marriage. Detailed information on past and present religious, social and legal practices and prohibitions is presented as a backdrop to the preferences and beliefs of the 1100+ million people in consanguineous unions. Chapters on population genetics, and the role of consanguinity in reproductive behaviour and genetic variation, set the scene for critical analyses of the influence of consanguinity on health in the early years of life. The discussion on consanguinity and disorders of adulthood is the first review of its kind and is particularly relevant given the ageing of the global population. Incest is treated as a separate issue, with historical and present-day examples examined. The final three chapters deal in detail with practical issues, including genetic testing, education and counselling, national and international legislation and imperatives, and the future of consanguineous marriage worldwide.


Analysis of Complex Disease Association Studies

Analysis of Complex Disease Association Studies

Author: Eleftheria Zeggini

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2010-11-17

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 0123751438

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According to the National Institute of Health, a genome-wide association study is defined as any study of genetic variation across the entire human genome that is designed to identify genetic associations with observable traits (such as blood pressure or weight), or the presence or absence of a disease or condition. Whole genome information, when combined with clinical and other phenotype data, offers the potential for increased understanding of basic biological processes affecting human health, improvement in the prediction of disease and patient care, and ultimately the realization of the promise of personalized medicine. In addition, rapid advances in understanding the patterns of human genetic variation and maturing high-throughput, cost-effective methods for genotyping are providing powerful research tools for identifying genetic variants that contribute to health and disease. This burgeoning science merges the principles of statistics and genetics studies to make sense of the vast amounts of information available with the mapping of genomes. In order to make the most of the information available, statistical tools must be tailored and translated for the analytical issues which are original to large-scale association studies. Analysis of Complex Disease Association Studies will provide researchers with advanced biological knowledge who are entering the field of genome-wide association studies with the groundwork to apply statistical analysis tools appropriately and effectively. With the use of consistent examples throughout the work, chapters will provide readers with best practice for getting started (design), analyzing, and interpreting data according to their research interests. Frequently used tests will be highlighted and a critical analysis of the advantages and disadvantage complimented by case studies for each will provide readers with the information they need to make the right choice for their research. Additional tools including links to analysis tools, tutorials, and references will be available electronically to ensure the latest information is available. - Easy access to key information including advantages and disadvantage of tests for particular applications, identification of databases, languages and their capabilities, data management risks, frequently used tests - Extensive list of references including links to tutorial websites - Case studies and Tips and Tricks


Introduction to Conservation Genetics

Introduction to Conservation Genetics

Author: Richard Frankham

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 643

ISBN-13: 0521878470

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This impressive author team brings the wealth of advances in conservation genetics into the new edition of this introductory text, including new chapters on population genomics and genetic issues in introduced and invasive species. They continue the strong learning features for students - main points in the margin, chapter summaries, vital support with the mathematics, and further reading - and now guide the reader to software and databases. Many new references reflect the expansion of this field. With examples from mammals, birds ...


Advances in the Study of Genetic Disorders

Advances in the Study of Genetic Disorders

Author: Kenji Ikehara

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2011-11-21

Total Pages: 488

ISBN-13: 9533073055

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The studies on genetic disorders have been rapidly advancing in recent years as to be able to understand the reasons why genetic disorders are caused. The first Section of this volume provides readers with background and several methodologies for understanding genetic disorders. Genetic defects, diagnoses and treatments of the respective unifactorial and multifactorial genetic disorders are reviewed in the second and third Sections. Certainly, it is quite difficult or almost impossible to cure a genetic disorder fundamentally at the present time. However, our knowledge of genetic functions has rapidly accumulated since the double-stranded structure of DNA was discovered by Watson and Crick in 1956. Therefore, nowadays it is possible to understand the reasons why genetic disorders are caused. It is probable that the knowledge of genetic disorders described in this book will lead to the discovery of an epoch of new medical treatment and relieve human beings from the genetic disorders of the future.


Encyclopedia of Rose Science

Encyclopedia of Rose Science

Author: Thomas Debener

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2003-10-27

Total Pages: 4142

ISBN-13: 0080917976

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The Encyclopedia of Rose Science brings together a wealth of information on the rose, long treasured for its captivating perfumes and splendid colors. Now, more than ever, science plays a central place in the production of this flower at the center of one of the world's biggest floricultural industries. A team of internationally renowned experts has contributed scores of articles, from the history of rose cultivation to discoveries in rose genetics. For researchers and students, as well as commercial rose growers and breeders, the Encyclopedia of Rose Science is an invaluable reference. The Encyclopedia of Rose Science is available online on ScienceDirect. The print edition price for this reference work does not include online access. For more information on pricing for access to the online edition, please review our Licensing Options. The richness and authority of Elsevier reference works is now lent valuable functionality and accessibility through the online launch of Elsevier Reference Works on ScienceDirect. Features: Extensive browsing and searching across subject, thematic, alphabetical, author and cited author indexes - as applicable to the work Basic and advanced search functionality within volumes, parts of volumes, or across the whole work Ability to build, save and re-run searches as well as combine saved searches Internal cross-referencing between articles in the work, plus dynamic linking to journal articles and abstract databases, making navigation flexible and easy All articles are available as full-text HTML files, and as PDF files that can be viewed, downloaded or printed out in their original print format A dedicated Reference Works navigation tab and homepage on ScienceDirect to enable easy linking from your OPAC or library website For more information about the Elsevier Reference Works on ScienceDirect Program, please visit: http://www.info.sciencedirect.com/reference_works. Presents complete, up-to-date information on over 35 subject areas of major importance to rose scientists Encyclopedic format provides for concise, readable entires, easy searches, and extensive cross-references Incorporates MODERN ROSES XI, published by the American Rose Society as International Cultivar Registration Authority for Roses, the most comprehensive list of roses of historical and botanical importance! High quality full-color production, with many figures and tables


Introduction to Theoretical Population Genetics

Introduction to Theoretical Population Genetics

Author: Thomas Nagylaki

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-03-12

Total Pages: 381

ISBN-13: 364276214X

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This book covers those areas of theoretical population genetics that can be investigated rigorously by elementary mathematical methods. I have tried to formulate the various models fairly generally and to state the biological as sumptions quite explicitly. I hope the choice and treatment of topics will en able the reader to understand and evaluate detailed analyses of many specific models and applications in the literature. Models in population genetics are highly idealized, often even over idealized, and their connection with observation is frequently remote. Further more, it is not practicable to measure the parameters and variables in these models with high accuracy. These regrettable circumstances amply justify the use of appropriate, lucid, and rigorous approximations in the analysis of our models, and such approximations are often illuminating even when exact solu tions are available. However, our empirical and theoretical limitations justify neither opaque, incomplete formulations nor unconvincing, inadequate analy ses, for these may produce uninterpretable, misleading, or erroneous results. Intuition is a principal source of ideas for the construction and investigation of models, but it can replace neither clear formulation nor careful analysis. Fisher (1930; 1958, pp. x, 23-24, 38) not only espoused similar ideas, but he recognized also that our concepts of intuition and rigor must evolve in time. The book is neither a review of the literature nor a compendium of results. The material is almost entirely self-contained. The first eight chapters are a thoroughly revised and greatly extended version of my published lecture notes (Nagylaki, 1977a).


Academic Inbreeding and Mobility in Higher Education

Academic Inbreeding and Mobility in Higher Education

Author: Maria Yudkevich

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Published: 2015-01-01

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 9781349498871

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Academic inbreeding - appointing one's own graduates for academic positions - is a controversial but surprisingly common practice internationally. This book is the first comparative analysis of the phenomenon - the causes, implications, and future of inbreeding.


Inbreeding, Incest, and the Incest Taboo

Inbreeding, Incest, and the Incest Taboo

Author: Arthur P. Wolf

Publisher: Stanford University Press

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 0804751412

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Why is incest widely prohibited? Why does the scope of the prohibition vary from society to society? Why does incest occur despite the prohibition? What are the consequences? To reexamine these questions, this book brings together contributions from the fields of genetics, behavioral biology, primatology, biological and social anthropology, philosophy, and psychiatry.