Inbreeding as measured by isonymy and by pedigrees in Kippel, Switzerland

Abstract

The relationship between inbreeding as measured by isonymy and by pedigrees was investigated in Kippel, a village in southern Switzerland. Inbreeding estimated by isonymy was 3.5 times the estimate obtained from pedigree analysis. Our results indicate a higher prevalence of lines traced through males owing to social causes. This limited pool of potential mates has a high frequency of shared surnames which produces the overestimate of inbreeding by isonymy.