DNA-based studies and genetic diversity indicator assessments are complementary approaches to conserving evolutionary potential

Sean M. Hoban; Ivan Paz-Vinas; Robyn E. Shaw; Luis Castillo-Reina; Jessica M. da Silva; J. Andrew DeWoody; Robert Ekblom; Ancuta Fedorca; Brenna R. Forester; W. Chris Funk; Julia C. Geue; Myriam Heuertz; Peter M. Hollingsworth; Alice C. Hughes; Margaret Hunter; Christina Hvilsom; Fumiko Ishihama; Rebecca Jordan; Belma Kalamujić Stroil; Francine Kershaw; Colin K. Khoury; Viktoria Köppä; Linda Laikre; Anna J. MacDonald; Alicia Mastretta-Yanes; Mariah H. Meek; Joachim Mergeay; Katie L. Millette; David O'Brien; Victor J. Rincón-Parra; M. Alejandra Rodriguez-Morales; Meredith C. Schuman; Gernot Segelbacher; Paul Sunnucks; Rebecca S. Taylor; Henrik Thurfjell; Cristiano Vernesi; Catherine E. Grueber

doi:10.1007/s10592-024-01632-8

DNA-based studies and genetic diversity indicator assessments are complementary approaches to conserving evolutionary potential

Conservation Genetics

By: Sean M. Hoban, Ivan Paz-Vinas, Robyn E. Shaw, Luis Castillo-Reina, Jessica M. da Silva, J. Andrew DeWoody, Robert Ekblom, Ancuta Fedorca, Brenna R. Forester, W. Chris Funk, Julia C. Geue, Myriam Heuertz, Peter M. Hollingsworth, Alice C. Hughes, Margaret Hunter, Christina Hvilsom, Fumiko Ishihama, Rebecca Jordan, Belma Kalamujić Stroil, Francine Kershaw, Colin K. Khoury, Viktoria Köppä, Linda Laikre, Anna J. MacDonald, Alicia Mastretta-Yanes, Mariah H. Meek, Joachim Mergeay, Katie L. Millette, David O'Brien, Victor J. Rincón-Parra, M. Alejandra Rodriguez-Morales, Meredith C. Schuman, Gernot Segelbacher, Paul Sunnucks, Rebecca S. Taylor, Henrik Thurfjell, Cristiano Vernesi, and Catherine E. Grueber

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-024-01632-8

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Abstract

Genetic diversity is essential for maintaining healthy populations and ecosystems. Several approaches have recently been developed to evaluate population genetic trends without necessarily collecting new genetic data. Such “genetic diversity indicators” enable rapid, large-scale evaluation across dozens to thousands of species. Empirical genetic studies, when available, provide detailed information that is important for management, such as estimates of gene flow, inbreeding, genetic erosion and adaptation. In this article, we argue that the development and advancement of genetic diversity indicators is a complementary approach to genetic studies in conservation biology, but not a substitute. Genetic diversity indicators and empirical genetic data can provide different information for conserving genetic diversity. Genetic diversity indicators enable affordable tracking, reporting, prioritization and communication, although, being proxies, do not provide comprehensive evaluation of the genetic status of a species. Conversely, genetic methods offer detailed analysis of the genetic status of a given species or population, although they remain challenging to implement for most species globally, given current capacity and resourcing. We conclude that indicators and genetic studies are both important for genetic conservation actions and recommend they be used in combination for conserving and monitoring genetic diversity.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	DNA-based studies and genetic diversity indicator assessments are complementary approaches to conserving evolutionary potential
Series title	Conservation Genetics
DOI	10.1007/s10592-024-01632-8
Edition	Online First
Year Published	2024
Language	English
Publisher	Springer
Contributing office(s)	Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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