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  • © 2009

Adaptation and Fitness in Animal Populations

Evolutionary and Breeding Perspectives on Genetic Resource Management

  • A unique exchange between leading animal breeders and evolutionary geneticists
  • Review and discussion of the key principles important to maintain fitness in breeding populations
  • A comprehensive overview of how to explore fitness in breeding programs
  • Strategies and approaches to manage genetic diversity
  • Understand the value of genetic diversity to preserve fitness

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XII
  2. Modelling Fitness

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Defining Fitness in Natural and Domesticated Populations

      • James S.F. (Stuart) Barker
      Pages 3-14
    3. Fitness Traits in Animal Breeding Programs

      • Michael Goddard
      Pages 41-52
    4. Discussion

      • John W. James
      Pages 53-55
  3. Maintaining Fitness

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 57-57
    2. Maintaining Genetic Variation in Fitness

      • William G. Hill, Xu-Sheng Zhang
      Pages 59-81
    3. Discussion

      • Michael Goddard
      Pages 125-127
  4. The Genetic Basis of Adaptation

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 129-129
    2. Discussion

      • Keith Hammond
      Pages 183-188
  5. Strategies for Managing Diversity

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 189-189
    2. Strategies to Exploit Genetic Variation While Maintaining Diversity

      • Brian P. Kinghorn, Robert Banks, Cedric Gondro, Valentin D. Kremer, Susan A. Meszaros, Scott Newman et al.
      Pages 191-200

About this book

Fitness and adaptation are fundamental characteristics of plant and animal species, enabling them to survive in their environment and to adapt to the inevitable changes in this environment. This is true for both the genetic resources of natural ecosystems as well as those used in agricultural production.

Extensive genetic variation exists between varieties/breeds in a species and amongst individuals within breeds. This variation has developed over very long periods of time. A major ongoing challenge is how to best utilize this variation to meet short-term demands whilst also conserving it for longer-term possible use.

Many animal breeding programs have led to increased performance for production traits but this has often been accompanied by reduced fitness. In addition, the global use of genetic resources prompts the question whether introduced genotypes are adapted to local production systems. Understanding the genetic nature of fitness and adaptation will enable us to better manage genetic resources allowing us to make efficient and sustainable decisions for the improvement or breeding of these resources.

This book had an ambitious goal in bringing together a sample of the world’s leading scientists in animal breeding and evolutionary genetics to exchange knowledge to advance our understanding of these vital issues.

Editors and Affiliations

  • School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale 2351, Australia

    Julius Werf

  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, University of New England, Armidale, Australia

    Hans-Ulrich Graser

  • Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia

    Richard Frankham

  • Australian Museum, Sydney 2010, Australia

    Richard Frankham

  • The Institute for Genetics and Bioinformatics, University of New England, Armidale 2351, Australia

    Cedric Gondro

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access