Genetic parameters for Finnish blue fox population: litter size, age at first insemination and pelt size
Peura, Jussi; Strandén, Ismo; Mäntysaari, Esa A (2007)
Peura, Jussi
Strandén, Ismo
Mäntysaari, Esa A
Julkaisusarja
Agricultural and Food Science
Volyymi
16
Numero
2
Sivut
136-146
MTT Agrifood Research Finland The Scientific Agricultural Society of Finland
2007
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2015090311300
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2015090311300
Tiivistelmä
Pelt size has increased rapidly in the Finnish blue fox population during the last decade. However, average number of pups per mated female has slightly decreased after the mid-1990 s. In this study we estimated genetic parameters of litter size in the first two parturitions, age of female at first insemination, and pelt size with a linear multitrait animal model. Heritability of litter size in first and second parturition was 0.06 and 0.10, respectively. Heritability estimate for age at first insemination was 0.15 and for pelt size 0.29. Genetic correlation between pelt size and first litter size was 0.30, between first and second litter size 0.76, and between second litter size and age at first insemination 0.70. Thus, genetic correlation between fertility and pelt size was unfavorable.