The Analysis of Czech Genetic Resources of Nutrias (Myocastor coypus)

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the effective population size and fertility in the Czech Genetic Resources of nutrias during the last ten years. This study includes three Czech colour types of nutrias: Czech Type of Standard (ST), Moravian Silver (MS), and Prestice Multicolour (PM). The effective population size of ST shows that this colour type is endangered, while MS and PM are critical. The average number of pregnancy was the highest (P ≤ 0.004) in ST (1.7 pregnancy) and the lowest in PM (1.3 pregnancy). ST and MS nutrias had the significantly biggest litter size (P ≤ 0.004). For the number of kits born per female in a year (P < 0.001) the significantly lowest value was in PM (5.1 kits). For weaned kits the highest value (P ≤ 0.006) was in ST (4.8 kits). The results showed that the population size of MS and PM is low and there is a risk of biodiversity loss in these colour types.