bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Oct. 24, 2022
Abstract
The
kākāpō
is
a
critically
endangered,
intensively
managed,
long-lived
nocturnal
parrot
endemic
to
Aotearoa
New
Zealand.
We
generated
and
analyzed
whole-genome
sequence
data
for
nearly
all
individuals
living
in
early
2018
(169
individuals)
generate
high-quality
species-wide
genetic
variant
callset.
leverage
extensive
long-term
metadata
quantify
genome-wide
diversity
of
the
species
over
time
present
new
approaches
using
probabilistic
programming,
combined
with
phenotype
dataset
spanning
five
decades,
disentangle
phenotypic
variance
into
environmental
effects
while
quantifying
uncertainty
small
populations.
find
associations
growth,
disease
susceptibility,
clutch
size,
egg
fertility
within
genic
regions
previously
shown
influence
these
traits
other
species.
Finally,
we
breeding
values
predict
illustrate
that
active
management
past
45
years
has
maintained
both
values,
hence,
evolutionary
potential.
provide
pathways
informing
future
conservation
decisions
kākāpō,
including
prioritizing
translocation
monitoring
poor
growth
or
high
risk.
Overall,
by
explicitly
addressing
challenge
sample
template
inclusion
genomic
will
be
transformational
recovery
efforts
around
globe.
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
11
Published: Feb. 16, 2023
Genetic
diversity
is
a
prerequisite
for
evolutionary
change
in
all
kinds
of
organisms.
It
generally
acknowledged
that
populations
lacking
genetic
variation
are
unable
to
evolve
response
new
environmental
conditions
(e.g.,
climate
change)
and
thus
may
face
an
increased
risk
extinction.
Although
the
importance
incorporating
into
design
conservation
measures
now
well
understood,
less
attention
has
been
paid
distinction
between
neutral
(NGV)
adaptive
(AGV)
variation.
In
this
review,
we
first
focus
on
utility
NGV
by
examining
ways
quantify
it,
reviewing
applications
infer
ecological
processes,
exploring
its
designing
plant
species.
Against
background,
then
summarize
identify
estimate
AGV
discuss
potential
use
conservation.
After
comparing
considering
their
pros
cons
context,
conclude
there
urgent
need
better
understanding
role
adaptation.
To
date,
however,
only
few
studies
non-model
species
aimed
at
deciphering
genomic
basis
complex
trait
Therefore,
researchers
practitioners
should
keep
utilizing
develop
relevant
strategies
rare
endangered
until
more
estimates
available.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
119(11)
Published: March 1, 2022
SignificanceThe
dynamics
of
deleterious
variation
under
contrasting
demographic
scenarios
remain
poorly
understood
in
spite
their
relevance
evolutionary
and
conservation
terms.
Here
we
apply
a
genomic
approach
to
study
differences
the
burden
alleles
between
endangered
Iberian
lynx
(Lynx
pardinus)
widespread
Eurasian
lynx).
Our
analysis
unveils
significantly
lower
former
species
that
should
be
ascribed
genetic
purging,
is,
increased
opportunities
selection
against
recessive
homozygotes
due
inbreeding
caused
by
its
smaller
population
size,
as
illustrated
our
analytical
predictions.
This
research
provides
theoretical
empirical
evidence
on
purging
certain
conditions.
BioScience,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
73(1), P. 36 - 47
Published: Nov. 30, 2022
Abstract
Adaptation
within
species
to
local
environments
is
widespread
in
nature.
Better
understanding
this
adaptation
critical
conserving
biodiversity.
However,
conservation
practices
can
rely
on
species’
trait
averages
or
broadly
assume
homogeneity
across
the
range
inform
management.
Recent
methodological
advances
for
studying
provide
opportunity
fine-tune
efforts
managing
and
species.
The
implementation
of
these
will
allow
us
better
identify
populations
at
greatest
risk
decline
because
climate
change,
as
well
highlighting
possible
strategies
improving
likelihood
population
persistence
amid
change.
In
present
article,
we
review
recent
study
highlight
ways
tools
be
applied
efforts.
Cutting-edge
are
available
help
characterize
adaptation.
Indeed,
increased
incorporation
management
decisions
may
meet
imminent
demands
a
rapidly
changing
world.
Conservation Genetics,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
25(1), P. 49 - 57
Published: Aug. 8, 2023
Abstract
Habitat
loss
and
population
fragmentation
pose
severe
threats
to
biodiversity
the
survival
of
many
species.
Population
isolation
decline
in
effective
size
lead
increased
genetic
drift
inbreeding.
In
turn,
this
reduces
neutral
diversity,
it
also
affects
load
deleterious
mutations.
Here,
we
analyse
effect
such
genomic
erosion
by
designing
a
spatially
explicit,
individual
based
model
SLiM,
simulating
effects
recorded
habitat
Mauritius
over
past
~
250
years.
We
show
that
diversity
(genome-wide
heterozygosity)
was
barely
noticeable
during
first
100
years
loss.
Changes
took
even
more
time
register,
they
only
became
apparent
circa
200
after
start
decline.
Although
considerable
number
mutations
were
lost
drift,
others
frequency.
The
masked
thus
converted
into
realised
load,
which
compromised
fitness
viability
much
native
had
been
lost.
Importantly,
continued
metapopulation
stabilised
at
low
numbers.
Our
study
shows
historic
can
sustained
threat
populations
future
generations,
without
further
UN’s
Decade
on
Ecosystem
Restoration
needs
transformative
change
save
species
from
extinction,
requires
urgent
restoration
natural
habitats.
Molecular Ecology Resources,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
24(7)
Published: May 10, 2024
Abstract
Zoo
populations
of
threatened
species
are
a
valuable
resource
for
the
restoration
wild
populations.
However,
their
small
effective
population
size
poses
risk
to
long‐term
viability,
especially
in
with
high
genetic
load.
Recent
bioinformatic
developments
can
identify
harmful
variants
genome
data.
Here,
we
advance
this
approach,
analysing
load
pink
pigeon
(
Nesoenas
mayeri
).
We
lifted
mutation‐impact
scores
that
had
been
calculated
chicken
Gallus
gallus
)
estimate
six
pigeons.
Additionally,
perform
silico
crossings
predict
and
realized
potential
offspring.
thus
optimal
mate
pairs
theoretically
expected
produce
offspring
least
inbreeding
depression.
use
computer
simulations
show
how
genomics‐informed
conservation
reduce
whilst
reducing
loss
genome‐wide
diversity.
Genomics‐informed
management
is
likely
become
instrumental
maintaining
viability
zoo
Conservation Genetics,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 10, 2025
Abstract
Genetic
diversity
is
critical
for
adaptation
in
response
to
changing
environments
and
provides
a
valuable
metric
predicting
species’
extinction
risk.
The
International
Union
Conservation
of
Nature
(IUCN)
broader
scientific
community
have
acknowledged
that
genetic
component
biodiversity
conservation.
However,
there
remain
gaps
the
incorporation
or
application
data
risk
assessments.
Here,
we
describe
how
metrics
can
inform
species
Specifically,
focus
on
information
gained
from
metrics,
temporal
reporting
changes
complement
existing
IUCN
Red
List
Threatened
Species
criteria.
We
conclude
by
advocating
standardized
sequence
calculated
facilitate
use
threat
assessments
List-assessed
species.
This
perspective
highlights
need
for,
step
towards,
integration
into
expect
our
recommendations
will
ongoing
work
Survival
Commission’s
Genetics
Specialist
Group
protect
globally.
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 6, 2025
ABSTRACT
Restricted
range
size
brings
about
noteworthy
genetic
consequences
that
may
affect
the
viability
of
a
population
and
eventually
its
extinction.
Particularly,
question
if
an
increase
in
inbreeding
can
avert
accumulation
load
via
purging
is
hotly
debated
conservation
field.
Insular
populations
with
limited
sizes
represent
ideal
setup
for
relating
to
these
factors.
Leveraging
set
eight
differently
sized
Galápagos
mockingbirds
(
Mimus
),
we
investigated
how
island
shaped
effective
N
e
load.
We
assembled
genome
M.
melanotis
genotyped
three
individuals
per
by
whole‐genome
resequencing.
Demographic
inference
showed
most
remained
high
after
colonisation
archipelago
1–2
Mya.
decline
parvulus
happened
only
10–20
Kya,
whereas
critically
endangered
trifasciatus
longer
history
reduced
.
Despite
historical
fluctuations,
current
determines
linear
fashion.
In
contrast,
significant
coefficients,
derived
from
runs
homozygosity,
were
identified
four
smallest
populations.
The
index
additive
suggested
,
where
lowest
By
carried
highest
load,
possibly
due
recent
rapid
bottleneck.
Overall,
our
study
demonstrates
complex
effect
demography
on
providing
implications
genetics
general
project
particular.
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
33(19)
Published: Sept. 16, 2024
Abstract
Biodiversity
loss
has
reached
critical
levels
partly
due
to
anthropogenic
habitat
and
degradation.
These
landscape
changes
are
damaging
as
they
can
fragment
species
distributions
into
small,
isolated
populations,
resulting
in
limited
gene
flow,
population
declines
reduced
adaptive
potential.
Genetic
rescue,
the
translocation
of
individuals
increase
genetic
diversity
ultimately
fitness,
produced
promising
results
for
fragmented
populations
but
remains
underutilized
a
lack
long‐term
data
monitoring.
To
promote
better
understanding
rescue
its
potential
risks
benefits
over
short‐term,
we
reviewed
analysed
published
attempts
identify
whether
increases
following
translocation,
if
this
change
is
associated
with
increased
fitness.
Our
review
identified
19
studies
that
provided
fitness
from
before
after
translocation;
majority
these
were
on
mammals,
included
experimental,
natural
conservation‐motivated
translocations.
Using
Bayesian
meta‐analytical
approach,
found
average,
post
translocations,
although
there
some
exceptions
trend.
Overall,
was
positive
predictor
cases
relationship
extended
three
generations
post‐rescue.
suggest
single
have
lasting
benefits,
support
another
tool
facilitate
conservation
success.
Given
number
data,
echo
need
monitoring
post‐translocation
understand
also
limit
long‐term.