Dumpling squid, Euprymna tasmanica, show consistent individual differences in behaviour that can be classified according to indices reflecting shy–bold, activity and reactivity responses. Using crosses of wild-caught single males to multiple females with known behavioural phenotypes, this study estimated patterns of additive genetic and residual variance in these behavioural traits from offspring of squid in two contexts, a threat (antipredator) and feeding (foraging) test. Genetic contributions to behavioural expression were dependent on test context. Behaviours in antipredator contexts had significant heritabilities (h² = 0.2–0.8) while behaviours from foraging contexts had lesser additive genetic and greater residual components (h² = 0.05–0.08). Personality trait variation in females was not related to her fecundity. Female boldness in foraging situations, which co-varied with body size, explained small but significant variation (∼21%) in brood hatching success, while successful fertilization was determined by positive assortion of mate pairs according to their shy–bold phenotype. These results are discussed in terms of the ecological and evolutionary significance of animal ‘personality’ traits in wild populations of animals.

To maximize utilization of our forest resources, detailed knowledge of wood property variation and the impacts this has on end-product performance is required at multiple scales (within and among trees, regionally). As many wood properties are difficult and time-consuming to measure our knowledge regarding their variation is often inadequate as is our understanding of their responses to genetic and silvicultural manipulation. The emergence of many non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methodologies offers the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of the forest resource; however, it is critical to recognize that any technique has its limitations and it is important to select the appropriate technique for a given application. In this review, we will discuss the following technologies for assessing wood properties both in the field: acoustics, Pilodyn, Resistograph and Rigidimeter and the lab: computer tomography (CT) scanning, DiscBot, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, radial sample acoustics and SilviScan. We will discuss these techniques, explore their utilization, and list applications that best suit each methodology. As an end goal, NDE technologies will help researchers worldwide characterize wood properties, develop accurate models for prediction, and utilize field equipment that can validate the predictions. The continued advancement of NDE technologies will also allow researchers to better understand the impact on wood properties on product performance.

Maternal and nonmaternal reciprocal effects were compared with nuclear genetic and carryover effects using a diallel mating amongst eight Eucalyptus globulus Labill. wild parents from northeastern and southern Tasmania races. Seed mass exhibited a significant maternal effect, increasing seed germinative capacity but not germination rate. After accounting for variation in seed mass, both germinative capacity and germination rate exhibited significant reciprocal effects, but these were non maternal in origin. Rapid germination and large seeds resulted in significantly larger seedlings in the nursery, but these carryover effects diminished with age. In contrast, the expression of genetic effects increased with age. Significant additive genetic variation was detected for growth by age 3 years and significant reciprocal differences were detected at the race level after 2 years in field trials. If common, such reciprocal effects could bias genetic parameters and impact on the choice of cross-direction in deployment programs. Failure to account for carryover effects in genetic analyses may inflate estimates of genetic variation for growth during early stages of the life cycle.

• This article reviews the theoretical basis for indirect selection — where early selection is an example — and how correlated response is calculated. • The review is followed by a description of issues as to the choice of selection criteria that could explain the lack of substantial progress on breeding for wood quality. These include: the autoregressive nature of selection criteria, overemphasizing the importance of basic density as selection criterion, ignoring age-related trends of wood properties, using rotation age rather than technical thresholds as objective traits and ignoring that not all grades have identical marginal economic value. • Three data sets are either analyzed for the first time or reanalyzed under different assumptions, to explore the importance of these criticisms. • Finally, the use of critical value thresholds as very early selection criteria is suggested and discussed in the context of improving intrinsic corewood quality. • This article reviews the theoretical basis for indirect selection — where early selection is an example — and how correlated response is calculated. • The review is followed by a description of issues as to the choice of selection criteria that could explain the lack of substantial progress on breeding for wood quality. These include: the autoregressive nature of selection criteria, overemphasizing the importance of basic density as selection criterion, ignoring age-related trends of wood properties, using rotation age rather than technical thresholds as objective traits and ignoring that not all grades have identical marginal economic value. • Three data sets are either analyzed for the first time or reanalyzed under different assumptions, to explore the importance of these criticisms. • Finally, the use of critical value thresholds as very early selection criteria is suggested and discussed in the context of improving intrinsic corewood quality. • Cet article passe en revue les bases théoriques des méthodes de sélection indirecte — parmi lesquelles figure la sélection précoce — et la manière dont le gain corrélé est calculé. • Cette revue est suivie d’une description des problèmes liés au choix des critères de sélection et qui pourraient expliquer le manque de progrès substantiel suite à l’amélioration pour les propriétés du bois. Ceux-ci incluent l’auto-corrélation des critères de sélection, l’exagération de l’importance de la densité comme critère de sélection, l’oubli de l’évolution des propriétés du bois avec l’âge cambial, l’utilisation de l’âge de révolution comme caractère-cible plutôt que des seuils techniques et l’oubli que toutes les classes de produits n’ont pas la même valeur économique marginale. • Trois jeux de données ont été soit analysés pour la première fois soit ré-analysés sous différentes hypothèses pour explorer l’importance de ces critiques. • Enfin, l’utilisation de seuils critiques comme critères de sélection très précoce est suggérée et discutée dans le cadre de l’amélioration intrinsèque de la qualité du bois juvénile. • Cet article passe en revue les bases théoriques des méthodes de sélection indirecte — parmi lesquelles figure la sélection précoce — et la manière dont le gain corrélé est calculé. • Cette revue est suivie d’une description des problèmes liés au choix des critères de sélection et qui pourraient expliquer le manque de progrès substantiel suite à l’amélioration pour les propriétés du bois. Ceux-ci incluent l’auto-corrélation des critères de sélection, l’exagération de l’importance de la densité comme critère de sélection, l’oubli de l’évolution des propriétés du bois avec l’âge cambial, l’utilisation de l’âge de révolution comme caractère-cible plutôt que des seuils techniques et l’oubli que toutes les classes de produits n’ont pas la même valeur économique marginale. • Trois jeux de données ont été soit analysés pour la première fois soit ré-analysés sous différentes hypothèses pour explorer l’importance de ces critiques. • Enfin, l’utilisation de seuils critiques comme critères de sélection très précoce est suggérée et discutée dans le cadre de l’amélioration intrinsèque de la qualité du bois juvénile.

This study considered the degree of genetic variation for diameter (DBH), basic density (BD), predicted pulp yield (PPY), fibre length (FL), microfibril angle (MFA) and cellulose content (CC) amongst eight subraces of Eucalyptus globulus growing in a field trial in NW Tasmania. There were significant subrace effects for BD, FL and CC. This variation affected the relative profitability of the subraces for pulp production. On average, the most profitable subraces (on NPV/ha over the base population mean) were Strzelecki Ranges ($862.04), Western Otways ($657.80) and Strzelecki Foothills ($576.81). The genetic control (heritability) of variation in DBH, FL and MFA was moderate (0.15 < h2< 0.27), while control for BD, PPY and CC was high (h2> 0.40). Genetic correlations between growth and wood properties were not statistically significant, except for DBHMFA (-0.86). Most genetic correlations amongst wood properties were outside the parametric space (< -1 or >1), but there were significant correlations between BDMFA (-0.70) and PPY-CC (0.82). The empirical response to selection on an index based on a pulp wood objective (which included volume and basic density) resulted in a gain of 4.3% for DBH, 7.9% for BD and marginal changes for all other traits, with a net impact in profit of $1,270/ha. However, future profit calculations will need to consider the effect of FL, MFA and CC on the economics of wood processing to fully evaluate the economic impact of breeding.