Sexual selection matters in genetic rescue, but productivity benefits fade over time: A multi-generation experiment to inform conservation

Globally, many species are threatened by population decline because of anthropogenic changes leading to population fragmentation, genetic isolation, and inbreeding depression. Genetic rescue, the controlled introduction of genetic variation, is a method used to relieve such effects in small populations. However, without understanding how the characteristics of rescuers impact rescue attempts interventions run the risk of being sub-optimal, or even counterproductive. We use the Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum) to test the impact of rescuer sex, and sexual selection background, on population productivity. We record the impact of genetic rescue on population productivity in 24 and 36 replicated populations for ten generations following intervention. We find little or no impact of rescuer sex on the efficacy of rescue but show that a background of elevated sexual selection makes individuals more effective rescuers. In both experiments, rescue effects diminish 6-10 generations after th..., Husbandry
T. castaneum were kept in a controlled environment at 30°C and 60% humidity with a 12:12 light-dark cycle. Populations were kept on standard fodder consisting of 90% organic white flour, 10% brewer’s yeast and a layer of oats for traction unless otherwise stated. During the husbandry cycle, 2mm and 850µm sieves were used to remove pupae and adults from fodder. The following cycle was started by a set number of adults (line dependent, see below) being placed into containers with fresh standard fodder. The oviposition phase: populations were given seven days to mate and lay eggs before adults were removed by sieving to prevent overlapping generations. The fodder containing eggs was returned to the container. The development phase: eggs were kept in the containers for 35 days to allow the eggs to develop into mature adults. Around day 21 of the development phase, pupae were collected to obtain known-sex virgin individuals which were then used to start the next generation. The pup..., , # Sexual selection matters in genetic rescue, but productivity benefits fade over time: A multi-generation experiment to inform conservation

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.g1jwstr1f](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.g1jwstr1f)

## Description of the data and file structure

Test of sex and, sexual selection background, of genetic rescuers on the fitness of an inbred population.

Null entries in the data sets were not included in that or any future generations.

### Abbreviations

KSS - Krakow Super Strain, Outbred ancestral population.

C - Control treatment, Inbred populations that received no rescue.

F - Female rescue treatment, Inbred populations that received rescue by a female KSS.

M - Male rescue treatment, Inbred populations that received rescue by a male KSS.

Control - Control treatment, Inbred populations that received no rescue.

Mo - Monogamy rescue treatment, Inbred populations that received rescue by a monogamous beetle.

Po - Polyandry rescue treatment, Inbred populations...

全球范围内，诸多物种种群因人为活动引发的种群片段化、遗传隔离与近交衰退而面临种群衰退的威胁。遗传拯救（genetic rescue）指通过可控方式引入遗传变异，是缓解小型种群上述遗传困境的有效手段。然而，若未能明晰拯救者的特征对拯救干预的影响机制，相关操作可能存在效果欠佳甚至适得其反的风险。
本研究以赤拟谷盗（Tribolium castaneum）为实验对象，探究拯救者的性别与性选择背景对种群生产力的影响。我们在干预后的10个世代中，分别对24个和36个重复种群开展监测，以记录遗传拯救对种群生产力的作用效果。研究发现，拯救者性别对拯救效能几乎无显著影响，但经历过强化性选择的个体作为拯救者时，其拯救效果更为显著。在两项实验中，拯救效应在干预后6至10个世代逐渐减弱……

## 饲养管理
赤拟谷盗均在可控环境中饲养：温度设置为30℃、相对湿度60%，光暗周期为12:12。除特殊说明外，种群均以标准饲料饲养，配方为90%有机白面粉、10%啤酒酵母，并铺设一层燕麦以提供爬行基质。饲养流程中，使用孔径2mm与850μm的筛网分离蛹与成虫。后续饲养循环以固定数量的成虫（品系不同，数量见下文）接种至装有新鲜标准饲料的容器中启动。
产卵阶段：种群置于饲料中7天以完成交配与产卵，随后通过筛网移除成虫以避免世代重叠。含卵饲料被重新放回容器中。发育阶段：卵在容器中静置35天以发育为成熟成虫。在发育阶段的第21天左右，收集蛹以获取已知性别的未交配个体，用于启动下一代饲养。

# 性选择对遗传拯救至关重要，但生产力增益随世代逐渐衰减：一项指导物种保护的多世代实验
[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.g1jwstr1f]

## 数据与文件结构描述
本数据集用于检验遗传拯救者的性别与性选择背景对内近交种群适合度的影响。
数据集中的空值未纳入本代及后续世代的分析。

### 缩写说明
KSS：克拉科夫超级品系（Krakow Super Strain），为远交祖先种群。
C：对照组（Control treatment），指未接受遗传拯救的近交种群。
F：雌性拯救组（Female rescue treatment），指通过雌性KSS个体实施遗传拯救的近交种群。
M：雄性拯救组（Male rescue treatment），指通过雄性KSS个体实施遗传拯救的近交种群。
Control：对照组，指未接受遗传拯救的近交种群（同上述C组）。
Mo：单配制拯救组（Monogamy rescue treatment），指通过单配制甲虫实施遗传拯救的近交种群。
Po：多配制拯救组（Polyandry rescue treatment），指通过多配制甲虫实施遗传拯救的近交种群……