Molecular Markers as Tools for Genetic Diversity Analysis

In the last 20 years molecular genetics has used a lot of neutral molecular markers such as microsatellites in different studies of population biology, which has allowed to know and evaluate the impact of genetic drift on the diversity of genes in populations, the gene flow within and between populations and the degree of inbreeding present in populations. Recent technological advances in molecular biology allow the scanning of the entire genome; gene expression pattern is useful to make actual estimates of the level of genetic variation within individuals of a population and among populations becoming thus a tool for conservation biology.

Conservation genetics is a growing field as revealed by the increasing numbers of papers published on this topic over the past ten years. The graph shows the frequency of papers containing the term ‘conservation genetics’ and the respective name of the marker in a Web of Science search :(http://thomsonreuters.com/products_services/science/science_products/a-z/web_of_science) plotted against time. The total number of papers has increased from four in 1990 to 682 in 2009.

Reference:
Ouborg NJ, Pertoldi C, Loeschcke V, Bijlsma R, Hedrick PW (2010). Conservation genetics in transition to conservation genomics. Trends Genet 26: 177-187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2010.01.001

Genomics and the Future of the Conservation Genetics

A temporal framework for conservation biology

The tree used here is based on the history of sea turtles inferred from molecular sequence comparisons (Bowen & Karl 1996; Dutton et al. 1996). The process of conserving sea turtles may start with the systematists identifing seven extant species which require protection. Subsequently, ecologists identify the key habitat features that allow sea turtles to survive and thrive on an ecological timescale of a few tens of thousands of years. Finally, evolutionary biologists identify the raw materials for future prosperity and diversification. See figure 1

The temporal framework for setting conservation priorities allocates responsibilities in three distinct temporal spheres (past, present, and future) to three disciplines (systematics, ecology, and evolution). 

Reference:

1. Bowen, Brian W. Preserving genes, species, or ecosystems? Healing the Fractured Foundations of Conservation Policy. Molecular Ecology (1999), S5–S10.

Conservation genetics targets to conservation genomics

What is the central objective of conservation genetics?

Learn to understand and reduce genetic problems of different populations such as the Florida Panthers  (Felis concolor), the Puerto Rico parrots (Amazona vittata), the Royal Island wolves (Canis lupus), bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), the woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) and the Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica), among others (Hedrick, 1995; O'Brien, 1994; Frankham et al., 2002). Different genetic factors may be involved the loss of genetic variation and inbreeding depression have received the most attention therefore be treated more carefully. Small populations are more vulnerable because different stochastic factors (demography, environmental and catastrophic) accelerated its decline and lead to two vortices of extinction.  See figure 1

REFERENCES:

1. O’Brien S. J. 1994. A role for molecular genetics in biological conservation. Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. 91:5748-5755.


2. Hedrick P.W. 1995. Gene flow and genetic restoration: the Florida panther as a casestudy. Cons. Biol. 9:996-1007.


3, Frankham R., J.D. Ballou, y D.A. Briscoe. 2002. Introduction to conservation genetics.Cambridge, Reino Unido.