What is inbreeding?

Inbreeding refers to the mating of two individuals that are closely related genetically, such as siblings, cousins, or parent-offspring pairs. This practice can lead to a decrease in genetic diversity and may result in the expression of deleterious alleles, which can increase the likelihood of genetic disorders or reduced fitness in the offspring.

Inbreeding can have significant implications for small populations, where closely related individuals are more likely to breed due to limited mate availability. Over time, inbreeding can lead to a phenomenon known as inbreeding depression, where the health and viability of the population are compromised due to the accumulation of harmful genetic traits.

Understanding inbreeding is crucial in conservation biology because it can impact the survival of endangered species. Conservation efforts often focus on maintaining genetic diversity to ensure the resilience and adaptability of populations in changing environments.