SuppiluliumaX t1_iu3e6en wrote
Possible, yes, likely, no. It would be technically possible to get a viable population out of four, especially since the four could be entirely unrelated and very genetically diverse. However, it's likely that they were not as genetically diverse as possible and that there would be a risk of inbreeding. In order to assess this you ideally would analyse the genome of a sample of, say 1000 moose in order to get an idea of the diversity in the group.
perta1234 t1_iu3nxrh wrote
1000 is not needed. Well sampled 50 is very good already, if the idea is to know about past and influential things. And even no genome is needed. Maybe couple of thousands of SNPs is enough.
So you are sure noone studied it yet? Check the case for Swedish wolves if you want to know of a similar thing.
perta1234 t1_iu3q63l wrote
Suggests it could be https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-294X.1999.00695.x
Inbreeding quicker than in recent past increases the RISK of deleterious genetic syndromes. Moreover, adaptive potential might be lower.
Species can adapt to inbreeding to some extent. More outbred the species is, more damaging the inbreeding is.
Loose_Ad8430 t1_iu4pdll wrote
I mean you say that but this is exactly what happened. Originally 2 were brought over but that didn’t work so they brought 4 over and now there is thousands.
TedW t1_iu5gwj2 wrote
Do we know that the original 2 died, and that exactly 0 have immigrated since then?
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