| Summary: | Falconer (1989) made the statement that traits closely related to fitness generally experience greater inbreeding depression than traits less closely related to fitness. However, he did not provide statistical support for this statement. In a review of the literature I provide statistical support for Falconer's (1989) statement by showing that life history traits (closely related to fitness) display more severe inbreeding depression than morphological traits (less closely related to fitness). Because inbreeding depression is greater in traits closely related to fitness, it may impact the success of colonization. In an investigation of the influence of inbreeding in a colonizing wing dimorphic species of cricket, Gryllus firmus, I have provided further empirical support for Falconer's (1989) statement, in addition to showing that inbreeding does not affect the equilibrium morph frequencies between two the morphs of G. firmus.
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