Retention of genetic diversity and demographic sustainability are the cornerstones of conservation breeding success. In theory, monogamous breeding with equal reproductive output will retain genetic diversity in insurance populations more effectively than group housing which allows mate choice or intrasexual competition. However, the ecological relevance of group housing to a species can outweigh the theoretical benefits of forced monogamy. Here we investigated the influence of different types of captive housing (group (mate choice) versus intensive (forced monogamy)) on reproductive success, litter size and genetic diversity in the endangered Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). For male Tasmanian devils, the proportion of individuals that failed to reproduce was significantly greater in group (maximum 10 individuals) than intensive housing. This suggests greater genetic diversity is retained when devils are bred in intensive housing. For male devils, body weight predicted reproductive success in group housing, suggesting certain individuals are dominant due to a larger body size, leading to unequal genetic contribution. We then used simulation models to predict rates of decline in genetic diversity and inbreeding accumulation over time comparing group and intensive housing. When managed independently, empirically observed reproductive outputs were predicted to result in large accumulations in inbreeding and loss of gene diversity in both housing types, although these effects were greater in group housing. Transferring individuals between the housing facilities decreased inbreeding accumulation and increased gene diversity in both housing types highlighting the importance of managing independent zoo populations collectively. If conservation programs wish to provide mate choice opportunities through group housing, the impact intrasexual competition will have on dominance and sequential reproductive opportunities needs to be understood prior to commencement. Group housing is becoming increasingly topical as it provides potential ecological benefits, may decrease mate incompatibilities and increase offspring fitness, however it can also result in the loss of genetic diversity in already genetically depauperate species.

中文翻译：

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集体住房与密集住房对保险人群遗传多样性保留的影响

遗传多样性的保留和人口的可持续性是保护育种成功的基石。从理论上讲，具有同等生殖产量的一夫一妻制育种比群体住房更有效地保留了保险人群的遗传多样性，而群体住房允许选择伴侣或进行内部竞争。但是，团体住房与某个物种的生态相关性可能超过强迫一夫一妻制的理论收益。在这里，我们调查了不同类型的圈养房屋（群体（伴侣选择）与集约化（强迫一夫一妻制））对濒临灭绝的塔斯马尼亚恶魔（Sarcophilus harrisii）繁殖成功，窝产仔数和遗传多样性的影响。对于塔斯马尼亚雄性雄性魔鬼来说，繁殖失败的个体比例（最多10人）明显大于密集的住房。这表明当在密集的住房中繁殖魔鬼时，可以保留更大的遗传多样性。对于雄性魔鬼，体重可预测其在集体住房中的繁殖成功，这表明某些个体由于体型较大而占主导地位，从而导致不平等的遗传贡献。然后，我们使用模拟模型来预测群体和集约化住房在一段时间内遗传多样性下降和近亲繁殖的速率。当独立管理时，根据经验观察到的生殖产出预计会导致近亲繁殖的大量积累和两种住房类型的基因多样性的丧失，尽管这些影响在集体住房中更大。在住房设施之间转移个人减少了两种住房类型的近亲繁殖和基因多样性的增加，突出了对集体管理独立动物园种群的重要性。如果保护计划希望通过团体住房提供伴侣选择的机会，那么性竞争将对优势地位产生影响，并且在开始之前需要了解顺序的生殖机会。团体住房日益成为热门话题，因为它提供了潜在的生态效益，可以减少配偶的不兼容性并提高后代的适应能力，但是，它也可能导致已经丧失基因的物种失去遗传多样性。在开始之前，必须了解性竞争对优势地位的影响，并需要了解连续的生殖机会。团体住房日益成为热门话题，因为它提供了潜在的生态效益，可以减少配偶的不兼容性并提高后代的适应能力，但是，它也可能导致已经丧失基因的物种失去遗传多样性。在开始之前，必须了解性竞争对优势地位的影响，并需要了解连续的生殖机会。团体住房日益成为热门话题，因为它提供了潜在的生态效益，可以减少配偶的不兼容性并提高后代的适应能力，但是，它也可能导致已经丧失基因的物种失去遗传多样性。