This study tested for differences between genetic merits of sons and daughters of sires and for evidence of segregating quantitative trait loci on the X chromosomes of North American Holsteins. Son PTA adjusted for sire PTA was used as the dependent variable to test for biases and for genes that were passed from sire to daughter but not to son. The test of variability across sires of sons merel...

Estimates of covariances and sire expected progeny differences of additive and nonadditive direct and maternal genetic effects for birth and weaning weights were obtained using records from 1,581 straightbred and crossbred calves from the Angus-Brahman multibreed herd at the University of Florida. Covariances were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood, using a Generalized Expectation-Maxim...

Abstract Natural selection is expected to favor males that invest more in offspring they sire. We investigated the relationship between paternity and male behavior acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), a cooperative breeder lives family groups including remain on their natal territory, sometimes for years, cobreeders of both sexes. Regardless group composition, only one communal nest atte...

Dispersal is an inseparable feature of animal life and a major determinant species distributions range dynamics. However, the role genetic architecture dispersal behaviour, hence potential for its evolution in range-expanding species, poorly understood. Here, we aimed to determine heritability behaviour invasive dwarf spider, Mermessus trilobatus , which has undergone rapid expansion Europe las...

Genome-wide estimated breeding values can be computed from the simultaneous estimates of the effects of small intervals of DNA throughout the genome on a trait or traits of interest. Small intervals or segments of DNA can be created by the use of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) available in panels of 10, 25 and 50 thousand SNP. A simulation study was conducted to compare fact...

Here we present the strategy that achieves the lowest possible rate of inbreeding (DeltaF) for a population with unequal numbers of sires and dams with random mating. This new strategy results in a DeltaF as much as 10% lower than previously achieved. A simple and efficient approach to reducing inbreeding in small populations with sexes of unequal census number is to impose a breeding structure...

Nine Israeli Holstein sire families with 2978 daughters were analyzed for quantitative trait loci effects on chromosome 6 for five milk production traits by a daughter design. All animals were genotyped for 2 markers. The three families with significant effects were genotyped for up to 10 additional markers spanning positions 0-122 cM of BTA6. Two sires were segregating for a locus affecting pr...

About 1% of male mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) express melanic (mottled-black) body coloration, which differs dramatically from the wild-type, silvery-gray coloration. Here, I report on the genetic inheritance pattern of melanic coloration, which indicates Y-linkage, and at least one autosomal modifier. Phenotypic expression of melanism is also affected by temperature. Expression is constit...

Mating system variability is known to exist between and within species, often due to environmental influences. An open question is whether, vice versa, similar environmental conditions entail congruent mating behavior, for example in terms of multiple paternity, in species or populations sharing largely comparable breeding modes. This study employed microsatellite markers to investigate the inc...

Merit of service sires for Holstein cows designated as genetically elite for yield in January 1990 was calculated to determine the contribution of these cows to genetic progress. Service sires were determined from sires of registered female progeny because male progeny were selectively registered. Primary data were 1295 elite cows (top 1%) that had a daughter produced from a mating in the 6 mo ...