Pertoldi C, Kristensen T N, Andersen D H, Loeschcke V
Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Aarhus, Ny Munkegade, Building 540, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Heredity (Edinb). 2006 Feb;96(2):122-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.hdy.6800777.
To set conservation priorities, scientists should be able to assess the relative threats posed by the effects of loss of genetic variability, inbreeding and outbreeding as these can generate 'genetic stress'. Developmental instability (DI) has been suggested as an indicator of stress, possibly being more sensitive than other measures. However, there is controversy as to whether DI is an accurate and reliable tool for assessing the degree of genetic stress. After 50 years of the presentation of Lerner's conjecture, there are still several unresolved questions about the relationship between DI and genetic stress. Here, we review studies on mechanisms behind DI. The current status on the use of DI as an indicator of genetic stress is discussed, and suggestions are presented on how to obtain more knowledge on the potential of DI in an evolutionary context.
为了确定保护优先级，科学家们应该能够评估因遗传变异性丧失、近亲繁殖和远亲繁殖所产生的“遗传应激”影响所带来的相对威胁，因为这些情况会产生“遗传应激”。发育不稳定性（DI）已被提议作为应激的一个指标，可能比其他指标更为敏感。然而，关于发育不稳定性是否是评估遗传应激程度的准确可靠工具，仍存在争议。在勒纳的猜想提出50年后，关于发育不稳定性与遗传应激之间的关系仍有几个未解决的问题。在此，我们回顾了关于发育不稳定性背后机制的研究。讨论了将发育不稳定性用作遗传应激指标的现状，并就如何在进化背景下获取更多关于发育不稳定性潜力的知识提出了建议。
