Genetic Diversity In Feeders?

[MrEMojo]

The debate over the importance of genetic diversity among captive Ts has been going on for quite a while. I on occasion notice strange looking specimens in my B. dubia colony that I would describe as geneticaly weak in appearance. I refer to them as runts. This among other things got me thinking that these 'runts' may be the product of inbreeding over a period of time. I don't believe that the percentage of 'runts' has risin in my colony considering I havn't added any new dubia into the gene pool :?

IS genetic diversity important to the long term health of
both your Colony as well as your pets?
Lets hear everyones thoughts!
Peace

 

[jbm150]

Pretty much any population, whether it has genetic diversity or not, is going to produce runts or weak individuals. Feeding these shouldn't harm your Ts as they're not utilizing the prey's genetic code, they're breaking it down into aminos. Unless of course one of your feeders develops a mutation that causes them to produce a nasty harmful chemical...but I should think that would be unlikely

 

[MIC]

I don't know if inbreeding in insects can arise problems to the colony. I only can say that during the last four years I am breading crickets, I haven't noticed any, even small, change in behavior, look, health and fertility in my colony. During this period I have never added insects from outside. Not only. Last year I could increase considerably the production (10.000 crickets / month) without having any counter-effect.

 

[MrEMojo]

thanks to both of you
a far as being detrimental to my Ts I was thinking along the lines of weak dubia(in my case) getting ill with something that may not be detected and could be transmitted to my Ts. Maybe Im a little unrealistic. Maybe not

 

[esotericman]

Ill from what? While pet keepers come from extremely diverse backgrounds and knowledge bases, it's pretty common for folks to know the sick get picked off by predators. I have not seen a report of cultivated insects passing viruses or bacteria on, which I suppose they might be more susceptible to if inbred for 10 years, but that's a stretch.

I'd relax and just keep them going. If you see an issue a few years down the line, reboot the colony. No big deal, and there is no risk to your pets.

 

[Travis K]

Another thought is that you could simple get some outside stock and throw them in with your old stock. I do that about once every year or so, but I can't say that it actually helps them stay 'strong and healthy'.