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Backcrossing as a species restoration technique.

Dan Wharton1,2

  • 1Conservation Science (Emeritus), Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois, USA.

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|March 27, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Hybridization and backcrossing in mice restored fertility and nearly restored species traits within seven generations. This suggests backcrossing is a viable conservation tool for species restoration and genetic rescue.

Keywords:
C57BL/6JMus domesticusMus spretusbackcrossingcaptive breedingde-extinctionex situ conservationgenetic rescuehybridsspecies recovery

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Zoology
  • Conservation Biology

Background:

  • Hybridization between species can lead to novel genetic combinations.
  • Backcrossing is a technique used to introgress specific traits from one species into another.
  • Understanding the phenotypic and genetic outcomes of hybridization and backcrossing is crucial for evolutionary and conservation studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phenotypic results of mouse hybridization and seven generations of backcrossing between Mus spretus and Mus domesticus.
  • To assess the feasibility of using backcrossing as a tool for species restoration and genetic rescue in conservation.

Main Methods:

  • Reciprocal crosses were made between Mus spretus and Mus domesticus C57BL/6J.
  • F1 hybrids and subsequent backcross generations (up to FBC7) were analyzed for body characteristics, pelage coloration, behaviors, and reproductive success (litter size).
  • Phenotypic data were compared between backcross generations and pure control specimens.

Main Results:

  • Fertility was reduced in F1 hybrids but restored or improved in backcross generations.
  • By the fourth backcross generation (FBC4), backcrossed mice largely conformed to control phenotypes.
  • By the seventh backcross generation (FBC7), specimens were nearly indistinguishable from controls, with only minor pelage variations in a few individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Conservation-oriented backcrossing is a practical technique for species/subspecies restoration.
  • Backcrossing can facilitate genetic rescue with minimal gene flow, especially in ex situ settings.
  • This method is particularly applicable when one sex of a taxon is lost or when inbreeding depression threatens a population.