Inbreeding often conjures visions of mutant offspring, but scientists now find it can have its upside in the wild. Animals in the wild often avoid close kin as mates, as inbreeding causes harmful ...

Fluctuating asymmetry, small non-directional departures from perfect symmetry in bilateral traits, results from the inability of individuals to buffer development against genetic and environmental ...

Researchers have compiled the first genome sequences of desert pupfish from the American Southwest, including the unique Devils Hole pupfish. The genomes of the 8 Devils Hole pupfish sequenced ...

The small size and isolation of the endangered population of Southern Resident killer whales in the Pacific Northwest have led to high levels of inbreeding. This inbreeding has contributed to their ...

There are plenty of reasons not to fool around with your siblings or even your cousins. Just check out the sad history of the European monarchies, whose inbreeding created plenty of wacko and/or ...

There’s more to inbreeding than dubious genes – how they are “read” matters, too. If a key influence on gene expression is blocked, inbred plants show few signs of their incestuous heritage. The ...

It’s a triple whammy for male animals on the brink of extinction: not only are there fewer mates around to have sex with, but, to make things worse, their sperm are more likely to carry genetic ...

This question originally appeared on Quora, the best answer to any question. Ask a question, get a great answer. Learn from experts and access insider knowledge. You can follow Quora on Twitter, ...