Inbreeding depression in morphological and growth traits of wild barn owls ( Tyto alba )
Anna Hewett·Jérôme Goudet·Anne‐Lyse Ducrest·Céline Simon·Alexandre Roulin·Eléonore Lavanchy·Tristan Cumer·Bettina Almasi·Alexandros Topaloudis
Abstract Despite its detrimental effects, inbreeding depression in wild populations is relatively under-explored. Here, we use whole-genome sequence data from more than 2700 wild barn owls (Tyto alba) to investigate the presence, severity and genetic architecture of inbreeding depression in three morphological traits. Using linear models (accounting for age) and nonlinear models (measuring growth effects) we show evidence for inbreeding depression. Moreover, by partitioning developmental stages