Population genomics for wildlife conservation and management

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 30(1), P. 62 - 82

Published: Nov. 4, 2020

Biodiversity is under threat worldwide. Over the past decade, field of population genomics has developed across nonmodel organisms, and results this research have begun to be applied in conservation management wildlife species. Genomics tools can provide precise estimates basic features populations, such as effective size, inbreeding, demographic history structure, that are critical for efforts. Moreover, studies identify particular genetic loci variants responsible inbreeding depression or adaptation changing environments, allowing efforts estimate capacity populations evolve adapt response environmental change manage adaptive variation. While connections from been slow develop, these increasingly strengthening. Here we review primary areas which approaches management, highlight examples how they used, recommendations building on progress made field.

Language: Английский

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The inflated significance of neutral genetic diversity in conservation genetics

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(10)

Published: Feb. 19, 2021

The current rate of species extinction is rapidly approaching unprecedented highs and life on Earth presently faces a sixth mass event driven by anthropogenic activity, climate change ecological collapse. field conservation genetics aims at preserving using their levels genetic diversity, usually measured as neutral genome-wide barometer for evaluating population health risk. A fundamental assumption that higher diversity lead to an increase in fitness long-term survival species. Here, we argue against the perceived importance wild populations We demonstrate no simple general relationship exists between risk extinction. Instead, better understanding properties functional demographic history, relationships, necessary developing implementing effective strategies.

Language: Английский

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Genomic evidence for inbreeding depression and purging of deleterious genetic variation in Indian tigers

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(49)

Published: Nov. 30, 2021

Increasing habitat fragmentation leads to wild populations becoming small, isolated, and threatened by inbreeding depression. However, small may be able purge recessive deleterious alleles as they become expressed in homozygotes, thus reducing depression increasing population viability. We used whole-genome sequences from 57 tigers estimate individual mutation load a small-isolated two large-connected India. As expected, the had substantially higher average genomic (

Language: Английский

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Conservation and the Genomics of Populations

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 10, 2022

Abstract Loss of biodiversity is among the greatest problems facing world today. Conservation and Genomics Populations gives a comprehensive overview essential background, concepts, tools needed to understand how genetic information can be used conserve species threatened with extinction, manage ecological or commercial importance. New molecular techniques, statistical methods, computer programs, principles, methods are becoming increasingly useful in conservation biological diversity. Using balance data theory, coupled basic applied research examples, this book examines phenotypic variation natural populations, principles mechanisms evolutionary change, interpretation from these conservation. The includes examples plants, animals, microbes wild captive populations. This third edition has been thoroughly revised include advances genomics contains new chapters on population genomics, monitoring, genetics practice, as well sections climate emerging diseases, metagenomics, more. More than one-third references were published after previous edition. Each 24 Appendix end Guest Box written by an expert who provides example presented chapter their own work. for advanced undergraduate graduate students genetics, resource management, biology, professional biologists policy-makers working wildlife habitat management agencies. Much will also interest nonprofessionals curious about role

Language: Английский

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The Value of Reference Genomes in the Conservation of Threatened Species

Genes, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10(11), P. 846 - 846

Published: Oct. 25, 2019

Conservation initiatives are now more crucial than ever—over a million plant and animal species at risk of extinction over the coming decades. The genetic management threatened held in insurance programs is recommended; however, few taking advantage full range genomic technologies available today. Less 1% 13505 currently listed as threated by International Union for Nature (IUCN) have published genome. While there has been much discussion literature about importance genomics conservation, limited examples how having reference genome changed conservation practice. Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), an endangered Australian marsupial, infectious clonal cancer facial tumor disease (DFTD). Populations declined 80% since was first recorded 1996. A this 2012 understanding DFTD wild. Here we use example influenced actions species.

Language: Английский

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Contemporary Demographic Reconstruction Methods Are Robust to Genome Assembly Quality: A Case Study in Tasmanian Devils

Molecular Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 36(12), P. 2906 - 2921

Published: Aug. 15, 2019

Abstract Reconstructing species’ demographic histories is a central focus of molecular ecology and evolution. Recently, an expanding suite methods leveraging either the sequentially Markovian coalescent (SMC) or site-frequency spectrum has been developed to reconstruct population size from genomic sequence data. However, few studies have investigated robustness these genome assemblies varying quality. In this study, we first present improved assembly for Tasmanian devil using Chicago library method. Compared with original reference genome, our new reduces number scaffolds (from 35,975 10,010) increases scaffold N90 0.101 2.164 Mb). Second, assess performance four contemporary inferring history (PSMC, MSMC, SMC++, Stairway Plot), two as well simulated, artificially fragmented genomes that approximate hypothesized devils. We demonstrate each method robust quality, producing similar estimates Ne when simulated were into up 5,000 scaffolds. Overall, reliant on SMC are most reliable between ∼300 generations before (gbp) 100 kgbp, whereas exclusively 30 gbp. Our results suggest used in concert, reconstructing effective 1) can be applied nonmodel organisms without highly contiguous genomes, 2) capable detecting independently documented effects historical geological events.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying 25 years of disease‐caused declines in Tasmanian devil populations: host density drives spatial pathogen spread

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 24(5), P. 958 - 969

Published: Feb. 27, 2021

Infectious diseases are strong drivers of wildlife population dynamics, however, empirical analyses from the early stages pathogen emergence rare. Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), discovered in 1996, provides opportunity to study an epizootic its inception. We use a pattern-oriented diffusion simulation model spatial spread DFTD across species' range and quantify effects by jointly modelling multiple streams data spanning 35 years. estimate wild peaked at 53 000 less than half previous estimates. rapidly through high-density areas, with velocity slowing areas low host densities. By 2020, occupied >90% range, causing 82% declines local densities reducing total 16 900. Encouragingly, our forecasts decline should level-off within next decade, supporting conservation management focused on facilitating evolution resistance tolerance.

Language: Английский

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New developments in the field of genomic technologies and their relevance to conservation management

Conservation Genetics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 23(2), P. 217 - 242

Published: Nov. 11, 2021

Abstract Recent technological advances in the field of genomics offer conservation managers and practitioners new tools to explore for applications. Many these are well developed used by other life science fields, while others still development. Considering possibilities, choosing right tool(s) from toolbox is crucial can pose a challenging task. With this mind, we strive inspire, inform illuminate on how efforts benefit current genomic biotechnological revolution. inspirational case studies show technologies help resolve some main challenges, also informing implementable different are. We here focus specifically small population management, highlight potential genetic rescue, discuss opportunities gene editing with adaptation changing environments. In addition, delineate applications drives controlling invasive species. that offers added efforts, but comes limitations use novel emerging techniques.

Language: Английский

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Infectious disease as a driver of declines and extinctions

Cambridge Prisms Extinction, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Infectious disease is an important driver of extinctions and population declines. With a few exceptions, such as the fungal chytridiomycosis in frogs, probably underestimated cause both local global extinction because it often co-occurs with other more overt drivers extinction, its signs can be easily overlooked. Here, we discuss issues around attributing to infectious overview key underlying factors. We then examine extent which anthropogenic influences, climate change, habitat destruction exotic species introductions, are likely lead increased risk association disease. Finally, strategies mitigate threat due

Language: Английский

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Conservation of adaptive potential and functional diversity

Conservation Genetics, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 20(1), P. 1 - 5

Published: Feb. 1, 2019

Language: Английский

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