WGS of Western Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea)

We use whole genome resequencing to optimize assisted breeding efforts in a highly inbred population of Western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in northern California. Our main aim was to produce the most genetically diverse offspring by analyzing levels of inbreeding across the genome of potential parents and pairing individuals with contrasting runs of homozygosity. To evaluate the short-term success of our strategy, we monitored genetic diversity across multiple generations and collected data on reproductive success, brood size and offspring size. To evaluate long-term success, we measured a telomere length, a genetic tool that is increasingly being used as a proxy for long-term fitness, but has not yet been used in the context of assisted breeding programmes. Our findings have important implications for assisted breeding programmes not only for Western burrowing owls but for other species as well.