Breeding in the wild is the natural process of animal reproduction occurring in the natural habitat of a given species. This terminology is distinct from
animal husbandry or
captive breeding. Breeding locations are often chosen for very specific requirements of shelter and proximity to food; moreover, the
breeding season is a particular time window that has evolved for each species to suit species anatomical,
mating-ritual, or climatic and other ecological factors.
[M.F. Braby, 2004] Many species migrate considerable distances to reach the requisite breeding locations.
[M.L. Heinselman, 1996] Certain common characteristics apply to various
taxa within the animal kingdom, which traits are often sorted among amphibians, reptiles, mammals,
avafauna,
arthropods and lower life forms.
Amphibians
For many
, an annual breeding cycle applies, typically regulated by ambient temperature, precipitation, availability of surface water and food supply. This breeding season is accentuated in temperate regions,
[W.J. Sutherland, 1996] where prolonged
aestivation or
hibernation renders many amphibian species inactive for prolonged periods. Breeding
are typically ponds and streams.
Mammals
Annual breeding cycles sometimes apply to mammals, with regulating environmental effects including seasonal temperature variation and food availability. Migration patterns of a mammal may sometimes govern breeding times. Mammal breeding in the wild sometimes involves the use of
for birthing and protection of the young. The
polar bear is an example of a mammal who uses a maternity den, whose locations are influenced by migration movements of this species to the seasonal Arctic
. In particular, the polar bears who breed in Wapusk National Park need to migrate to the
Hudson Bay pack ice.
[C.M. Hogan, 2008]
Effects of inbreeding in wild populations
Keller and Waller
[Keller LF, Waller DM. Inbreeding effects in wild populations. (2002) Trends in Ecology & Evolution. May 17(5):230-41. doi:10.1016/S0169-5347(02)02489-8 ] reviewed the effects of inbreeding in wild-populations. Evidence from mammalian and bird populations indicated that inbreeding depression often significantly adversely affects birth weight, reproduction and survival, as well as resistance to environmental stress, disease and
predation. Plant studies have shown significant adverse inbreeding effects on seed set, germination, resistance to stress and survival. Inbreeding depression is considered to be largely due to the expression of recessive deleterious alleles.
See also
Line notes
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Michael F. Braby (2004) The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia, Published by CSIRO Publishing, 339 pages
-
Miron L. Heinselman (1996) The Boundary Waters Wilderness ecosystem, University of Minnesota Press,
-
C. Michael Hogan (2008) Polar Bear: Ursus maritimus, Globaltwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg
-
William J. Sutherland (1996) Ecological Census Techniques: A Handbook, Cambridge University Press, 336 pages
