Article
Behavioral Sciences
Debra M. Shier, Gregory F. Grether, Elizabeth E. Reid-Wainscoat, Samantha Fox, David Pemberton, Jodie Elmer, Ronald R. Swaisgood
Summary: Familiarizing resident Tasmanian devils with the scent of released devils may reduce aggression during translocation, according to a controlled experiment.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katherine A. Farquharson, Elspeth A. McLennan, Yuanyuan Cheng, Lauren Alexander, Samantha Fox, Andrew Lee, Katherine Belov, Carolyn J. Hogg
Summary: Conservation breeding programs aim to maintain wild genetic diversity, but rarely assess functional diversity. This study compares both genome-wide and functional diversity of Tasmanian devils within the insurance metapopulation and across their range. The results show that the insurance metapopulation is representative of current wild genetic diversity.
Article
Plant Sciences
A. -L. Jacquemart, C. Buyens, L. -M. Delescaille, F. Van Rossum
Summary: This study conducted in Belgium found that populations of Juniperus communis have high genetic diversity, low to moderate genetic differentiation, and no clear geographic structure. The populations showed predominantly sexual reproduction, with no clonality observed. High positive inbreeding coefficients were explained by null alleles, population substructuring, and biparental inbreeding. Patterns indicated historical gene flow through pollen and seed dispersal at both short and long distances.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jacob Nepper-Davidsen, Marie Magnusson, Christopher R. K. Glasson, Philip M. Ross, Rebecca J. Lawton
Summary: The study found strong genetic structure and low geneflow of the native kelp Ecklonia radiata across sites in four geographic regions on the North Island of New Zealand. There was high genetic differentiation between the Wellington region and other regions, with significant genetic differences within regions as well. Bayesian modeling and redundancy analysis suggested that ocean currents and other factors along the coast shaped the genetic structure and connectivity of E. radiata on the North Island. Based on these findings, it was recommended not to translocate cultivars of E. radiata outside their area of origin to prevent introducing locally absent genotypes to local sub-populations.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Rowan Durrant, Rodrigo Hamede, Konstans Wells, Miguel Lurgi
Summary: Metapopulation structure is crucial for wildlife population persistence and disease dynamics. The interaction between host dispersal, disease transmission rate, and within-population mixing plays a synergistic role in disease spread and population declines. Population isolation may reduce disease prevalence but can also lead to declines in size and genetic diversity, emphasizing the importance of considering metapopulation structure in disease control strategies.
Article
Forestry
Aaron Brunton, David J. Lee, Gabriel Conroy, Steven Ogbourne
Summary: Genetic diversity in Santalum lanceolatum populations is low, with evidence of regional differentiation and low levels of inbreeding. The clonal structure may be restricting sexual reproduction and natural recruitment potential. A conservation strategy involving genetic rescue is recommended to prevent further decline and potential local extinction.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Erin E. Hahn, Melanie Culver
Summary: The Arizona pronghorn population has declined due to various factors, but management actions such as captive breeding and reintroductions have helped boost the numbers of the endangered Sonoran subspecies. Genetic tests show that the management actions have maintained genetic diversity and prevented inbreeding within the captive-bred Sonoran population.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rebecca Synnott, Craig Shuttleworth, David J. J. Everest, Claire Stevenson-Holt, Catherine O'Reilly, Allan D. D. McDevitt, Denise B. B. O'Meara
Summary: Since its introduction in 1876, the invasive North American Eastern grey squirrel has contributed to the decline of the native Eurasian red squirrel population in Britain. This study assessed the impact of control efforts on the genetic diversity of the grey squirrel population in north Wales and highlights the need for comprehensive information to effectively control invasive species.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
William J. W. Thomas, Janet M. Anthony, Mark P. Dobrowolski, Siegfried L. Krauss
Summary: The critically endangered shrub Styphelia longissima has been found to have high levels of genetic variation, low selfing rate, and restricted pollen dispersal. Implementing conservation strategies such as genetic monitoring plans can help manage the future erosion of the detected high genetic variation in this species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bostjan Surina, Manica Balant, Peter Glasnovic, Ivan Radosavljevic, Ziva Fiser, Natasa Fujs, Silvia Castro
Summary: The mating system of the endemic plant Moehringia tommasinii in northwestern Adriatic showed high variation among populations, with genetic structuring and occurrences of hybridization and selfing. The presence of gene flow and weak reproductive barriers between M. tommasinii and co-occurring M. muscosa pose conservation challenges. Local extinction resulting from hybridization may disrupt mating patterns and floral polymorphism of M. tommasinii.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joseph P. Zilko, Dan Harley, Alexandra Pavlova, Paul Sunnucks
Summary: Genetic rescue can reduce the extinction risk of inbred populations, with the risk of genetic swamping. Simulation results suggest that translocating highland possums into lowland populations can rapidly increase population size, alleviate inbreeding depression, but may reduce the frequency of locally unique alleles.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Sarah W. Fitzpatrick, Cinnamon Mittan-Moreau, Madison Miller, Jessica M. Judson
Summary: Restoring gene flow among fragmented populations through assisted migration can be a powerful strategy to reduce inbreeding depression and genetic rescue. However, the use of this strategy remains limited in conservation, highlighting the need for increased consideration in managing fragmented populations. Our evaluation of federally threatened or endangered vertebrate species in the United States determined that a majority of these species are good candidates for assisted migration for genetic rescue.
JOURNAL OF HEREDITY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Shantanu Kundu, Tanoy Mukherjee, Ah Ran Kim, Soo-Rin Lee, Abhishek Mukherjee, Won-Kyo Jung, Hyun-Woo Kim
Summary: This study reveals lower genetic diversity and more fragmented habitats in India compared to Sri Lanka for the star tortoise, Geochelone elegans. The findings highlight the need for genetic screening, strict measures against wildlife trafficking, and urgent habitat restoration to protect this highly-threatened species.
Article
Ecology
Chloe Steventon, Dan Harley, Leanne Wicker, Alistair R. Legione, Joanne M. Devlin, Jasmin Hufschmid
Summary: This study investigates the ectoparasites of Leadbeater's possum during translocation activities. Different flea species were found on possums in highland and lowland habitats. Translocations of possums from highland to lowland habitats may expose the lowland individuals to novel species of fleas, requiring careful monitoring to manage potential risks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Xiaolin Li, Tong Liu, Aoqiang Li, Lin Zhang, Wentao Dai, Longru Jin, Keping Sun, Jiang Feng
Summary: This study investigated the recent divergence of sibling bat species Rhinolophus episcopus and R. siamensis, finding stronger genetic differentiation in SSRs compared to MHC genes, suggesting an effect of balancing selection on MHC gene variation. Significant correlations between MHC and SSR genetic differentiation in R. episcopus indicate the influence of demographic processes on MHC genetic diversity in this species. Additionally, moderate genetic differentiation in sympatric populations and lack of shared alleles between species suggest independent adaptive evolutionary processes at play.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
C. J. Hogg, E. A. McLennan, P. Wise, A. Lee, D. Pemberton, S. Fox, K. Belov, C. E. Grueber
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Andrew S. Flies, Emily J. Flies, Samantha Fox, Amy Gilbert, Shylo R. Johnson, Guei-Sheung Liu, A. Bruce Lyons, Amanda L. Patchett, David Pemberton, Ruth J. Pye
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
E. A. McLennan, C. E. Grueber, P. Wise, K. Belov, C. J. Hogg
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alison M. Flanagan, Bryce Masuda, Catherine E. Grueber, Jolene T. Sutton
Summary: Research on the Hawaiian Crow conservation breeding program revealed that inbreeding has a negative impact on offspring survival, with parental egg incubation improving survival rates. However, inbreeding does not significantly affect offspring reproductive success if they breed with distantly related mates. The study also identified a specific inbreeding threshold value that impacts survival rates, highlighting the importance of managing inbreeding in pedigree-managed populations.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2021)
Book Review
Zoology
Travis M. Livieri
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Parice A. Brandies, Belinda R. Wright, Carolyn J. Hogg, Catherine E. Grueber, Katherine Belov
Summary: Interindividual variation at genes known to play a role in reproduction may impact reproductive fitness in Tasmanian devils. The study identified functional diversity at reproductive genes, with two genes ADAMTS9 and NANOG showing putative signatures of balancing selection. Researchers will further investigate the interplay between reproductive gene variation and reproductive fitness in Tasmanian devil populations.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Young Mi Kwon, Kevin Gori, Naomi Park, Nicole Potts, Kate Swift, Jinhong Wang, Maximilian R. Stammnitz, Naomi Cannell, Adrian Baez-Ortega, Sebastien Comte, Samantha Fox, Colette Harmsen, Stewart Huxtable, Menna Jones, Alexandre Kreiss, Clare Lawrence, Billie Lazenby, Sarah Peck, Ruth Pye, Gregory Woods, Mona Zimmermann, David C. Wedge, David Pemberton, Michael R. Stratton, Rodrigo Hamede, Elizabeth P. Murchison
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Belinda R. Wright, Carolyn J. Hogg, Elspeth A. McLennan, Katherine Belov, Catherine E. Grueber
Summary: Captive breeding for conservation faces challenges such as small population size, founder effects, lack of migration, which influence the genetic makeup through selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. Our study on Tasmanian devils shows that genetic drift may lead to allele loss in smaller populations, while managed breeding in captivity can minimize inbreeding over time. Gene flow plays a key role in shaping population structure and increasing genetic diversity in managed populations.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Luke W. Silver, Carolyn J. Hogg, Belinda R. Wright, Catherine E. Grueber
Summary: This study used 39 resequenced devil genomes to characterize diversity at behavior-associated genes, finding variations that may influence their functions. However, there was little evidence of an association between genetic profile and the probability of being struck by a vehicle.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
A. L. Wright, J. R. Anson, V Leo, B. R. Wright, T. M. Newsome, C. E. Grueber
Summary: Common species play a significant role in shaping ecosystem structure and function. The reintroduction of common species is an important step in restoring severely impacted habitats. Genetic impacts of a reintroduction of the native bush rat were assessed, and no short-term interventions were necessary to promote genetic diversity. Continued genetic monitoring is important to ensure the stability of the population.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Sean Hoban, Frederick Archer, Laura D. Bertola, Jason G. Bragg, Martin F. Breed, Michael W. Bruford, Melinda A. Coleman, Robert Ekblom, W. Chris Funk, Catherine E. Grueber, Brian K. Hand, Rodolfo Jaffe, Evelyn Jensen, Jeremy S. Johnson, Francine Kershaw, Libby Liggins, Anna J. MacDonald, Joachim Mergeay, Joshua M. Miller, Frank Muller-Karger, David O'Brien, Ivan Paz-Vinas, Kevin M. Potter, Orly Razgour, Cristiano Vernesi, Margaret E. Hunter
Summary: Biodiversity is crucial for the resilience, function, economies, and well-being of ecosystems, but understanding how it sustains ecosystems under stress and environmental change requires new approaches to biodiversity data. The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) has developed Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) as fundamental metrics to aggregate and interpret biodiversity observation data. Genetic Composition EBVs (Genetic EBVs), which measure within-species genetic variation, are proposed and ranked according to relevance, sensitivity to change, generalizability, scalability, feasibility, and data availability. The implementation of Genetic EBVs faces challenges in terms of aggregation, standardization, and costs, but advances in genetic data collection and availability provide opportunities for their integration into global conservation policy.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Carolyn J. Hogg, Luke Silver, Elspeth A. McLennan, Katherine Belov
Summary: Genome sequencing is a powerful tool for managing threatened species, and the Koala Genome Survey was developed to address the lack of genomic diversity studies in koala populations. The survey has released 430 koala genomes to accelerate conservation research.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah E. Dalrymple, Thomas Abeli, John G. Ewen, Tania C. Gilbert, Carolyn J. Hogg, Natasha A. Lloyd, Axel Moehrenschlager, Jon Paul Rodriguez, Donal Smith
Summary: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species includes 84 plants and animals listed as Extinct in the Wild (EW), meaning they have been lost from their natural habitats. Our analysis shows that 60% of these species are associated with ecoregions with very little intact habitat. Invasive species, pollution, and climate change also pose major threats to more than half of the EW species, making it difficult for them to be reintroduced to the wild. Despite these challenges, we present five scenarios and potential conservation actions for each to help recover EW species and prevent their extinction.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Murraya R. Lane, Arianne Lowe, Jelena Vukcevic, Robert G. Clark, George Madani, Damien P. Higgins, Luke Silver, Katherine Belov, Carolyn J. Hogg, Karen J. Marsh
Summary: This study evaluated the health parameters of rehabilitated koalas and resident koalas in burnt and unburnt habitats. The results showed that the body condition of rehabilitated koalas improved significantly over time and was similar to that of resident koalas at 12-16 months. The prevalence of Chlamydia pecorum was also similar between groups and timepoints, indicating that wildfire and rehabilitation did not worsen the disease in this population. Although there were some variations in serum biochemistry and haematology parameters, most of them were within normal reference ranges. The findings suggest that koalas were generally healthy at the time of release and when recaptured nine months later. The landscapes in the Monaro region with a mosaic of burn severity can support koalas, and returning rehabilitated koalas to burnt habitats 4-6 months post-fire does not compromise their health.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jennifer C. Pierson, Laurence Berry, Lauren Alexander, Jennifer Anson, Michelle Birkett, Leah Kemp, Bruce A. Pascoe, Katherine A. Farquharson, Carolyn J. Hogg
Summary: The application of genetic data to conservation management programs can be hindered by the mismatch in timelines for management decisions and the acquisition of genetic data, particularly genomic sequence data that may require outsourcing. Genetic principles can provide general guidelines for actions when data are absent, but fine-tuning actions through adaptive management using genetic data can be more effective. In the case of establishing a metapopulation of the red-tailed phascogale, genetic data from captive breeding programs were used to guide the allocation of founders to new populations, allowing for diversity within and among the sites.