Genetic variability of Lizard canaries breed inferred from Pedigree Analysis

The genealogical data of 471 (whole population-WP) Lizard canaries of an Italian breeder were analysed to evaluate the genetic variability of the breed. The reference population (RP) comprised 346 living reproductive birds. Average generation interval was 1.61±0.718 for males and 1.72±0.863 for females. The average value of inbreeding (F) and relatedness (AR) in the RP were 15.83% and 22.63%, while the average increase in inbreeding was estimated to be 6.71% per generation (Ne =7.49). The results showed the need to reduce the level of inbreeding which would result in significant loss of genetic variation and in significant inbreeding depression.