Question

Define inbreeding depression.

Answer 1

Inbreeding depression (IBD) is the effect of inbreeding measured as the reduction in mean phenotypic performance with increasing levels of inbreeding within a population. It refers to reduced biological fitness in a given population as a result of inbreeding, or breeding of related individuals. Population biological fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and perpetuate its genetic material. Inbreeding depression is often the result of a population bottleneck.