King Charles II of Spain he was part of the Hapsburg Dynasty

King Charles II of Spain (he was part of the Hapsburg Dynasty; pictured to the right) was an ill-fated King from birth because he suffered from many disorders due to two centuries of inbreeding within the Hapsburg Dynasty. Describe why the level of inbreeding in the Hapsburg Dynasty would have such devastating effects on Charles II, and describe the impact of this inbreeding in addition to selection allelic diversity

Solution

1. The powerful Hapsburg dynasty that ruled Spain for nearly 200 years came to an abrupt end in 1700 with the death of King Charles II, who left no heirs to the throne. The termination of that royal lineage may result of frequent inbreeding of the line, which may have left Charles II ill and infertile.

In order to keep their heritage in their own hands, the Spanish Hapsburg began to intermarry more and more frequently among themselves. The Spanish Habsburg kings frequently engages in consanguiness marriage (marriage between biological relatives). It has been suggested that this high degree of inbreeding led to extinction of the line when the physically disabled, mentally retarded and disfigured. Charles II dies after two childless marriage.

The high degree of relatedness of these rulers\' parents combined with the remote inbreeding in the lineage likely had a significant impact on the eventual extinction of the line. Other evidence that back up this conclusion is the stark rate of infant and child mortality in the Hapsburg families. Charles II\'s disorder and illness are also evidence of inbreeding of line. He was short and week and suffered from intestinal problems and sporadic hematuria. He did not speak till age 4 and did not walk till age 8.

Such detrimental health effects are often seen in children of consanguineous marriage because they are more likely to inherit rare deleterious recessive version of genes. Charles II ailments and impotence are result of two genetic disorders-combined pituitary hormone deficiency and distal renal tubular acidosis. With the end of Charles II death, shows the end of Hapsburg dynasty.