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Conservation Genetics

Conservation Genetics. By : Abby Ferson and Haley Roddy. Definition.

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Conservation Genetics

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  1. Conservation Genetics By: Abby Ferson and Haley Roddy

  2. Definition • The use of diagnostic genetic techniques in order to manage populations and to resolve taxonomic uncertainties, as well as the use of molecular genetic analyses to create an understanding of species' biology and preservation (Frankham, 2003) • Major Questions: • What brought the species to the brink of extinction? • What actions can be taken in order to reverse, or slow the rate of, their disappearance?

  3. Importance of Genetic Diversity • Without genetic diversity, there is no platform for natural selection to act upon • Limited genetic diversity = limited ability to adapt to changing environmental pressures • Genetic diversity allows for maintenance of alleles

  4. How is Genetic Diversity Lost? • Mutational meltdown • Inbreeding depression • Genetic drift • Bottleneck Effect • Founder’s Effect

  5. Using Genetics as a Tool • Examination of genetic composition of a population provides valuable information on diversity amongst its individuals • Common techniques for identification and comparison of individuals • Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism • Microsatellites • Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) • DNA sequence patterns

  6. Targeted Populations • Endangered or threatened species • Small population sizes • Threats of habitat loss/fragmentation • Low genetic diversity • Geographic isolation • Migration barriers

  7. Case Study: African Cheetahs (Acinonyxjubatus) • Approximately 12,000 years ago, a population bottleneck event removed over 75% of population (Meyer, 2016) • Drastically reduced genetic diversity (particularly heterozygosity) • Habitat destruction and inbreeding has maintained limited diversity within populations (O’Brien et al, 2017) • Solution: • Careful examination of phylogenetic trees • Use of databases and software to calculate mean kinship and favorable pairings amongst individuals (Ballou and Lacy, 1995; Caballero and Toro, 2000)

  8. Application of Conservation Genetics • Captive breeding programs • Diversity is key • Purposeful immigration of individuals • Cryopreservation • Hybridization • Necessary for restoration of extremely small populations • Ex. Dusky Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramusmaritimusnigrescens) – (Zink & Kale, 1995)

  9. Activity https://www.playfactile.com/bcevolution2

  10. References • Pictures: • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaside_sparrow • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusky_seaside_sparrow • http://cheetah.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SubspeciesMapCCF-2.png • https://www.animalwised.com/most-endangered-species-in-north-america-1543.html • http://research.tamu.edu/2015/02/23/tias-fellow-leads-effort-to-id-gene-that-explains-variations-in-beaks/ • https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_24 • Https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/conservation_03

  11. References Continued • Amos, W., & Balmford, A. (2001). When does conservation genetics matter? Heredity, 87(3), 257-265. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2540.2001.00940.x • Ballou, J.D., & Lacy, R.C. (1995). Identifying genetically important individuals for management of genetic variation in pedigreed populations. Pp. 76-111 In Management for Survival and Recovery (J.D. Ballou, M. Gilpin, and T.J. Foose, eds.). Columbia University Press, New York. • Caballero, A., and Toro, M.A. (2000). Interrelations between effective population size and other pedigree tools for the management of conserved populations. Genet. Res. 75: 331-343. • Dong, Y., & Zhu, H. (2005). Single-Strand Conformational Polymorphism Analysis: Basic Principles and Routine Practice. Hypertension, 149-158. doi:10.1385/1-59259-850-1:149 • Frankham, R. (2003). Genetics and conservation biology. ComptesRendusBiologies, 326, 22-29. doi:10.1015/s1631-0691(03)00023-4 • Lynch, M. J. Conery, & Burger, R. (1995). Mutational meltdowns in sexual populations. Evol. 49: 1067-1080. • McDonald, D.B., & Potts, W.K. (1997). Microsatellite DNA as a genetic marker at several scales. Avian Molecular Evolution and Systematics (D. Mindell, ed.). Academic Press, New York. pp. 29-49 • Meyer, A. (2016). Smithsonian study reveals decline of genetic diversity in wild cheetahs. Retrieved from:https://insider.si.edu/2016/06/smithsonian-study-reveals-precipitous-decline-genetic-diversity-wild-cheetahs/ • O’Brien, S. J., Johnson, W. E., Driscoll, C. A., Dobrynin, P., & Marker, L. (2017). Conservation Genetics of Cheetah: Lessons Learned and New Opportunities. Journal of Heredity, 108(6), 671-677. doi:10.1093/jhered/esx047 • Rhymer, J.M., & Simberloff, D. (1996). Extinction by hybridization and introgression. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 27, 83-109. • Schonewald-Cox, C.M., Chambers, S.M., MacBryde, B., & Thomas, L. (eds.). (1983). Genetics and Conservation. Benjamin/Cummings, Menlo Park, Calif. • University of Utah, (n.d.). Conservation Genetics. Retrieved from: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/science/conservation/ • Zink, R. M., & Kale, H. W. (1995). Conservation genetics of the extinct dusky seaside sparrow Ammodramusmaritimusnigrescens. Biological Conservation, 74(1), 69-71. doi:10.1016/0006-3207(95)00010-2

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