Tree-fall gaps are small-scale disturbances whose formation, colonization, and role in forest dynamics are well documented, but whose effects on animal ecology are still greatly overlooked, except for studies comparing species richness of gaps 6+ months old to that in the closed canopy. Other factors associated with the invasion of fresh tree-fall gaps such as animal breeding adaptations have b...

This paper deals with Bayesian inferences of animal models using Gibbs sampling. First, we suggest a general and efficient method for updating additive genetic effects, in which the computational cost is independent of the pedigree depth and increases linearly only with the size of the pedigree. Second, we show how this approach can be used to draw inferences from a wide range of animal models ...

Genetic improvement is based on selecting genetically superior animals. From the phenotypic performance of an animal it is not known whether an animal is genetically superior or whether good performance is caused by favourable management or environmental effects. Genetic principles are applied in genetic evaluation programs like PIGBLUP to determine genetically superior animals which is express...

Environmental factors can determine which group size will maximize the fitness of group members. This is particularly important in cooperative breeders, where group members often serve different purposes. Experimental studies are yet lacking to check whether ecologically mediated need for help will change the propensity of dominant group members to accept immigrants. Here, we manipulated the pe...

New opportunities in animal breeding and production will be offered by methods for embryo production and the introduction of precise genetic changes in livestock species. A review of current procedures shows that they have been improved during the last 4 years, but still have significant limitations. In the light of experience over the past 50 years it seems likely that these methods will contr...

The selection of farm animals through breeding for human benefit has a very long history. In more recent times the practice of animal breeding has become highly sophisticated and the speed of change in 'production traits' such as rate of growth and milk yield has correspondingly increased dramatically. This narrow focus on production traits led to a number of well-documented examples of 'unfavo...

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