Conservation genetics

• What is the main contribution of genetics to conservation?

  Understanding genetic diversity and population dynamics
• What are the two main types of conservation strategies?

  • In-situ conservation: Protects populations in their natural environment.
  • Ex-situ conservation: Translocates populations to new areas or preserves them in captivity.
• What is in-situ conservation?

  Protecting populations in their natural environment
• What is ex-situ conservation?

  Translocating populations to new areas
• What are genetic contributors to extinction?

  Inbreeding depression, outbreeding depression, loss of genetic diversity
• What is inbreeding depression?

  Reduced fitness due to breeding between closely related individuals
• Why does inbreeding occur more frequently in small populations?

  Limited mate availability and skewed sex ratios
• Why does inbreeding reduce fitness?

  It increases homozygosity for deleterious alleles
• What is an example of inbreeding depression in white tigers?

  All descended from a single wild male
• What caused the Florida Panther's inbreeding depression?

  Severe population decline due to habitat loss
• What are some effects of inbreeding depression in the Florida Panther?

  Kinked tail, cowlick whorl, heart defects
• What is genetic rescue?

  Translocating individuals from another population
• What is outbreeding depression?

  Reduced fitness from parents of different populations
• What can cause outbreeding depression?

  Breakdown of local adaptation and co-adapted gene complexes
• What happened to the Alpine Ibex after reintroduction?

  Population went extinct due to early breeding
• What is genetic drift?

  Random changes in allele frequencies in small populations
• What caused the Southern White Rhino's genetic bottleneck?

  Poaching reduced the population to ~30 individuals
• What is the current status of the Southern White Rhino population?

  Population recovered to over 10,000 individuals
• How did climate change affect the grey wolves on Isle Royale?

  Prevented ice bridges from forming, isolating the population
• What is adaptation to captivity?

  Natural and artificial selection reducing fitness in the wild
• How can adaptation to captivity be prevented?

  Minimize generations in captivity and mimic natural environments
• What strategies can be used to prevent adaptation to captivity?

  • Minimize number of generations in captivity
  • Rapid reintroduction where possible
  • Use systematic breeding strategies
  • Mimic natural environments
  • Continue to bring wild individuals into the population
• What is the role of cryopreservation in conservation genetics?

  Preserves genetic material for future use
• What is the effect of delayed reproduction in conservation?

  Reduces selection pressure in captive populations
• How does fragmenting populations help in conservation?

  Reduces risk of inbreeding and increases genetic diversity
• Why is immigration important in conservation genetics?

  Continues to bring wild individuals into the population