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Conservation Genetics
Sam HopkinsBiodiversity and Conservation
Biology
An Optional Graphiccan go here
Conservation genetics includes: Study of inbreeding in small populations Study of spatial patterns of genetic variation Study of gene flow Study of hybridisation Study of systematics Can start to describe the future of an endangered
species Can involve endangered taxa but often just species that will
show us how something works Genetics alone will not conserve species
What is conservation genetics?What is conservation genetics?
Conservation genetics allows conservationists to make informed decisions
Conservation genetics not always the answer Its expensive Time consuming Interpretation is personal
What is conservation genetics?What is conservation genetics?
Depleted by hunting Small populations survive in the
North Atlantic, North Pacific and Southern Oceans
Separation between populations in different oceanic basins
Separation between populations in the same oceanic basin Geographic variation studied by looking at the
mitochondrial DNA This study gives information on the Humpback but also
may give insight into other species with high dispersal abilities, large distributions and social behaviours
Conserving Humpback Whales Conserving Humpback Whales 11
Molecular genetics can identify species that are endangered and protected but still being bought and sold
Often the products on the market cannot be identified by sight but can be identified using genetics
E.g.. Ivory, horn, shell, meat, feathers, dried leaves An example of this is seen in the Whale market
The international whaling commission allows a certain amount of whaling for scientific research
These Whales can then be sold to consumers Often species and geographical source can be
identified Genetics can tell if the products on the market are
caught legally or illegally
Using genetics to identify commercial Using genetics to identify commercial products from endangered speciesproducts from endangered species
Shaving brushes made from Badger hair
Meant to be made from the Hog Badgers (Arctonyx colaris) hair which is an invasive species in Europe
Using molecular genetics the hair of four brushes was found to be from the Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) which is a protected species
Using genetics to identify commercial Using genetics to identify commercial products from endangered species products from endangered species 22
37 out of 38 species in the felid group are endangered or threatened
Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) have less genomic variation than other cats
The Cheetah’s ancestors underwent a severe reduction in numbers and inbreeding possibly several times or over a long period of time
The Florida Panther has the least genetic variation of any puma sub-species
All these species give us an incite into what happens when genetic diversity decreases which can be put to use in other endangered species
The Cats The Cats 33
The Simien Jackal (Canis simensis) is probably the most endangered canid
There are fewer than 500 individuals left and they are in isolated populations
Restricted to the Ethiopian highlands Habitat loss and fragmentation has restricted the Simien
Jackal still more In one study on the population from the Bale Mountain
National Park there was only one mitochondrial genotype found
Another problem is their ability to hybridise with domestic dogs
The Dogs The Dogs 44
The Red Wolf (Canis rufus)
Was found in the south central United States
Extinct in the wild since 1975
Single captive population
The origins of the species are questionable
Genetic tests have assisted in making decisions when considering re-introductions
The Dogs The Dogs 44
The Island of Guam had the brown tree snake introduced and the native species of birds have been in trouble ever since
The Guam Rail (Rallus owstoni) and the Micronesian Kingfisher (Halcyon cinnamomina) are extinct in the wild
Genetic analysis has helped to manage matings by looking at relatedness among the captive birds
The results show low genetic diversity but none of this has been lost since the species have been taken into captivity
The Birds The Birds 55
There are seven species alive today and all are endangered or threatened
Molecular genetics has helped establish some natural history and evolution that is beneficial to conservation efforts
As with the Whales discussed earlier Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill turtles return to the same rookery (egg laying site)
Using genetic analysis this has been shown to be the turtles returning to their beach of birth
Marine Turtles Marine Turtles 66
Spreading Avens (Geum radiatum) is a perennial herb that is found only on a few mountain tops in North Carolina and Tennessee
In 1991 there were 16 populations Now there are 11 Extinction is being caused by
human trampling Four of the other populations are
declining The government want to restore
the numbers of the plant in one of the declining populations, genetic analysis will help with the answer
Endemic plants Endemic plants 77
The Billfish group contains Swordfish, Marlins, Sailfish and Spearfish
These fish are commercially exploited and their numbers have decreased
It was not known if these animals were moving about the sea as distinct populations or whether they were a continuous population
Molecular genetics have been used to find some answers
The Striped and Blue Marlin both show within ocean population differences even though they travel great distances
This should shape future conservation plans
Pelagic Fish Pelagic Fish 88
Large reptile Endemic to 5 islands in South
East Indonesia Threatened by habitat
destruction and competition by humans
Genetic diversity of five populations on four of the islands studied
Island of Komodo had the greatest diversity Island of Komodo has been separated from other land
masses for the longest period Makes Komodo population important to conserve
Komodo Dragons Komodo Dragons 99
Restricted range in Southern Highlands of New South Wales and the Australian Capital territory
Three geographically isolated populations Snowy Mountains Fiery Range Brindabella Range
Snowy mountain population has decreased heterozygosity and an absence of rare alleles
May cause the population to struggle to respond to climate change
Corroboree Frogs Corroboree Frogs 1010
ReferencesReferences1. Baker, C. S. and Palumbi, S. R.(1996) Population structure, Molecular
systematics and forensic identification of Whales and Dolphins. In Conservation Genetics: Case Histories From Nature eds. Avise, J. C. and Hamrick, J..pp 10-41
2. Domingo- Roura, X. et al. (2006). Radger hair in shaving brushes comes from protected Eurasian Badgers. Biological Conservation 128: 425-430
3. O’Brian, S. J. (1996) Conservation Genetics of the Felidae In Conservation Genetics, Case Histories From Nature eds. Avise, J. C. and Hamrick, J. pp50-71
4. Wayne, R. K. (1996)Conservation Genetics of the Canidae. In Conservation Genetics, Case Histories From Nature eds. Avise, J. C. and Hamrick, J. pp 75-112
5. Haig, S. M. and Avise, J. C. (1996) Avian Conservation Genetics. In Conservation Genetics, Case Histories From Nature eds. Avise, J. C. and Hamrick, J..pp 160-184
ReferencesReferences6. Bowen, B. W. and Avise, J. C. (1996) Conservation genetics of marine turtles.
In Conservation Genetics, Case Histories From Nature eds. Avise, J. C. and Hamrick, J..pp 190-230
7. Hamrick, J. L. and Godt, M. J. W. (1996) Conservation genetics of endemic plant species. In Conservation Genetics, Case Histories From Nature eds. Avise, J. C. and Hamrick, J..pp 281-302
8. Graves, J. E. (1996) Conservation Genetics of Fishes in the Pelagic Marine Realm. In Conservation Genetics, Case Histories From Nature eds. Avise, J. C. and Hamrick, J..pp 335-362
9. Ciofi, et al. (1999). Genetic divergence and units for conservation in the Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis. Proceeding of the Royal Society of London B. 266: 2269-2274
10. Osborne, W. S. and Norman, J. A. (1991). Conservation Denetics of Corroboree frogs, Pseudophryne corroboree More (Anura: Myobatrachidad): Population sub-division and genetic divergence. Australian Journal of Zoology 39: 285-297