Extreme gender bias appears to be a frequent symptom of inbreeding depression
when inbreeding becomes acute due to a large population crashing rapidly to a
small population. Such a sudden bottleneck can lead to a high percentage of
deleterious recessive genes normally not expressed suddenly becoming homozygous
and being expressed. Gender bias toward males almost claimed the last of the
Mauritius Kestrel some years ago, though determined intervention by Carl Jones
saved the thing. I'm sure there are mosre cases in birds. A few in mammals too.
David James,
Sydney
==============================
--- On Thu, 22/9/11, Glenn Ehmke <> wrote:
From: Glenn Ehmke <>
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] OBP article
To: "Debbie Lustig" <>, "birding-aus"
<>
Received: Thursday, 22 September, 2011, 4:03 PM
Good article Debbie.
As you point out the 100% breeding participation government agencies have been
so keen to publicise this year is tempered by the fact only 8 pairs bred. Of
course that obviously means there were only 8 females in the wild last year,
and a bit of simple maths tells you that (assuming there are actually 35 birds
left) there is a 400% male gender bias!
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of such a bias in any wild bird population,
certainly not one that’s manifested “overnight”!… anyone?
You are lucky indeed to have seen OBPs in the wild this year.
________________________________
From: Debbie Lustig <>
To: birding-aus <>
Sent: Tuesday, 20 September 2011 5:53 PM
Subject: [Birding-Aus] OBP article
Article written, immodestly enough, by me.Feedback?
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/rooted/2011/09/19/on-the-hunt-for-the-mysterious-orange-bellied-parrot-australias-most-endangered-bird/
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