F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 ?

[Masta]

Hey Guys,

I've been browsing the forum lately, and i've heard people (BB) talking about F1,2,3,4,5

Can someone explain to me what these terms are? i might guess they are generations?

[fishmosy]

Yes thats right Masta. F1 stands for the first generation. F2 the second generation, and so on. Typically you dont see mention of F generations beyond F1 or in rare cases F2, because by the time you get to the third, fourth or fifth generation, the individuals don't necessarily have the same characteristics as the originals.

So for example, if you obtain wild caught individuals and you breed them, the offspring are wild-caught F1. By the time you reach the third generation F3, its not worth calling them wild-caught F3 because the individuals you have will be adapted to aquariums and have different characteristics to the original wild caught adults (e.g. hardier, tolerance to a wider range of parameters, possibly larger, easier to breed, readily recognise commercial foods, ect ect).

[Gbang]

fishmosy is spot on! well done mate :) however i believe we are now starting to talk about generations up to 5 for taiwan bees programmes to monitor tb success rates

[northboy]

Good one Ben and I am so glad you mentioned the adaptation to Aquarium conditions and life, so many people over look that one.

Bob