scholarly journals Mapping and monitoring genetic diversity of an alpine freshwater top predator by applying newly proposed indicators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Andersson ◽  
Sten Karlsson ◽  
Nils Ryman ◽  
Linda Laikre
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Brown Trout ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Sympatric Populations ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Molecular Genetic Data ◽  
Science Management

Genetic diversity is the basis for population adaptation and long-term survival, yet rarely considered in biodiversity monitoring. One key issue is the need for useful and straightforward indicators of genetic diversity. To test newly proposed indicators, we monitored genetic diversity over 40 years (1970-2010) in metapopulations of brown trout inhabiting 27 small mountain lakes representing 10 water systems in central Sweden. Three of the indicators were previously proposed for broad, international use for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) context, while three others were recently elaborated for national use by a Swedish science-management effort and applied for the first time here. The Swedish indicators use molecular genetic data to monitor genetic diversity within and between populations and assess the effective population size (Ne). We used a panel of 96 SNPs and identified 29 discrete populations retained over time. Over 40 percent of the lakes harbored more than one population indicating that brown trout biodiversity hidden as cryptic, sympatric populations are more common than recognized. The Ne indicator showed values below the threshold (Ne≤500) in 20 populations with five showing Ne<100. Although statistically significant genetic diversity reductions occurred in several populations, they were mostly within proposed threshold limits. Metapopulation structure appears to buffer against diversity loss; when applying the indicators to metapopulations most indicators suggest an acceptable genetic status in all but one system. The CBD indicators agreed with the national ones but provided less detail. We propose that all indicators applied here are appropriate for monitoring genetic diversity within species.

scholarly journals Developing a monitoring program of genetic diversity: what do stakeholders say?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rea Pärli ◽  
Eva Lieberherr ◽  
Rolf Holderegger ◽  
Felix Gugerli ◽  
Alex Widmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Stakeholder Analysis ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
National Monitoring

AbstractGenetic diversity is a fundamental component of biological diversity, and its conservation is considered key to ensure the long-term survival of natural populations and species. National and international legislation increasingly mandates a monitoring of genetic diversity. Examples are the United Nation’s Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Aichi target 13 and the current post-2020 negotiations to specify a new target for maintaining genetic diversity. To date, only a few pilot projects have been launched that systematically monitor genetic diversity over time in natural populations of a broad variety of wild species. The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment mandated a feasibility study in 2019 for implementing a national monitoring of genetic diversity in natural populations. To obtain information on whether stakeholders are interested in such a systematic monitoring, what they would expect from such a monitoring and where they see respective caveats, we conducted an online survey, which 138 (42% of those surveyed) Swiss stakeholders answered. We find that Swiss stakeholders are generally aware of the lacking evidence regarding the status of genetic diversity in wild populations and species. Accordingly, most stakeholders are interested in a monitoring of genetic diversity and see opportunities for the application of its results in their work. Nevertheless, stakeholders also expressed concerns regarding financial resources and that the results of a genetic diversity monitoring program would not benefit conservation practice. Our findings highlight the importance of stakeholder engagement and demonstrate the value of a detailed stakeholder analysis prior to developing and implementing a genetic diversity monitoring program. A powerful tool for examining the constellation and interactions of the different stakeholders are social network analyses (SNAs). Finally, it is particularly important to communicate transparently about the possibilities and limitations of a genetic diversity monitoring program as well as to closely involve stakeholders from the beginning to increase the acceptance of genetic diversity monitoring and facilitate its implementation.

scholarly journals Research Concerning Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L. Mill) Genetic Diversity

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurel MAXIM ◽  
Mignon ŞANDOR ◽  
Lucia MIHALESCU ◽  
Ovidiu MAXIM ◽  
Oana MARE ROŞCA
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Genetic Erosion ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
Cucumis Sativus L ◽  
Local Varieties ◽  
Industrial Farming ◽  
The University

During the second part of the twentieth century the cultivated plants have been faced with genetic erosion, because of the expandinding industrial farming systems. The sustainable agriculture can not exist without a rich genetic diversity. After the United Nations Conference from Rio de Janeiro (1992), when the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted, a series of acts and european references that protect agrobiodiversity had emerged. Between 2007 and 2010, at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine a program which aims to identify and conserve local vegetable varieties was conducted. Out of 290 cultivars, 171 (58.9%) were genuine local varieties. There were collected 12 cucumber cultivars from the following counties: Salaj (7), Cluj (3), Bistrita-Nasaud (1) and Satu-Mare (1). The morphologic caractheristics proved that all this 12 cultivars were authentic and valuable local varieties. The local varieties were agronomical, biological and biochemical characterized, both in field and laboratory. The seeds achieved from those 12 local varieties were preserved in the Suceava Gene Bank, from where stakeholders (farmers, agronomists, researchers) can obtain seeds.

Biodiversity Along Core–Periphery Clines

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergei Volis ◽  
Salit Kark
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Geographical Patterns ◽  
Local Populations

The study of biodiversity has received wide attention in recent decades. Biodiversity has been defined in various ways (Gaston and Spicer, 1998, Purvis and Hector 2000, and chapters in this volume). Discussion regarding its definitions is dynamic, with shifts between the more traditional emphasis on community structure to emphasis on the higher ecosystem level or the lower population levels (e.g., chapters in this volume, Poiani et al. 2000). One of the definitions, proposed in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity held in Rio de Janeiro (1992) is “the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.” The within-species component of diversity is further defined as “the frequency and diversity of different genes and/or genomes . . .” (IUCN 1993) as estimated by the genetic and morphological diversity within species. While research and conservation efforts in the past century have focused mainly on the community level, they have recently been extended to include the within-species (Hanski 1989) and the ecosystem levels. The component comprising within-species genetic and morphological diversity is increasingly emphasized as an important element of biodiversity (UN Convention 1992). Recent studies suggest that patterns of genetic diversity significantly influence the viability and persistence of local populations (Frankham 1996, Lacy 1997, Riddle 1996, Vrijenhoek et al. 1985). Revealing geographical patterns of genetic diversity is highly relevant to conservation biology and especially to explicit decision-making procedures allowing systematic rather than opportunistic selection of populations and areas for in situ protection (Pressey et al. 1993). Therefore, studying spatial patterns in within-species diversity may be vital in defining and prioritizing conservation efforts (Brooks et al. 1992). Local populations of a species often differ in the ecological conditions experienced by their members (Brown 1984, Gaston 1990, Lawton et al. 1994). These factors potentially affect population characteristics, structure, and within-population genetic and morphological diversity (Brussard 1984, Lawton 1995, Parsons 1991). The spatial location of a population within a species range may be related to its patterns of diversity (Lesica and Allendorf 1995). Thus, detecting within-species diversity patterns across distributional ranges is important for our understanding of ecological and evolutionary (e.g., speciation) processes (Smith et al. 1997), and for the determination of conservation priorities (Kark 1999).

Origin and genetic diversity of an introduced wall lizard population and its cryptic congener

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Schulte ◽  
Franz Gassert ◽  
Philippe Geniez ◽  
Michael Veith ◽  
Axel Hochkirch
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Lower Saxony ◽  
Sympatric Populations ◽  
Podarcis Muralis ◽  
Eastern Pyrenees ◽  
Native Populations ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Introduced Population

The Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) has been introduced within large parts of Central Europe, the UK and parts of North America. In an introduced population of this species in Lower Saxony, Germany, we found in addition to mtDNA haplotypes of P. muralis also haplotypes of its congener Podarcis liolepis, a species that hitherto has never been recorded outside its native range. We therefore, (1) wanted to identify the geographic origin of the founder individuals of both non-native populations, (2) test for hybridization between introduced individuals of both species in Germany and (3) compare levels of genetic diversity between native and introduced populations. We sequenced a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and genotyped individuals of the introduced as well as native populations of both species at eleven microsatellite loci. Our results suggest that the founders presumably stem from a region in the eastern Pyrenees, where sympatric populations of P. muralis and P. liolepis are known. No evidence for gene flow between the two species was found in the introduced population. These results are consistent with behavioural observations indicating agonistic interactions of P. muralis towards P. liolepis rather than cross-species attraction. Compared to the native populations, high levels of genetic diversity have been retained in the introduced population of both species and no evidence for a genetic bottleneck was found. The effective population size was high in P. muralis, but substantially smaller in P. liolepis.

Genetics of reintroduced populations of the narrowly endemic thistle, Cirsium pitcheri (Asteraceae)

Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremie B. Fant ◽  
Andrea Kramer ◽  
Eileen Sirkin ◽  
Kayri Havens
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Inbreeding Coefficients ◽  
Native Populations ◽  
Population Sizes

The aim of any reintroduction is to provide sufficient genetic variability to buffer against changing selection pressures and ensure long-term survival. To date, few empirical studies have compared levels of genetic diversity in reintroduced and native plant populations. Using microsatellite markers, we measured the genetic diversity within reintroduced and native populations of the threatened Cirsium pitcher (Eaton) Torrey and Gray. We found that the use of local mixed source was successful in establishing populations with significantly higher genetic diversity (P < 0.005) than the native populations (allelic richness is 3.39 in reintroduced and 1.84 in native populations). However, the reintroduced populations had significantly higher inbreeding coefficients (P < 0.002) (FIS is 0.405 and 0.213 in reintroduced and in native populations, respectively), despite having multiple genetic founders, population sizes equivalent to native populations and a positive growth rate. These results may be due to inbreeding or the Wahlund effect, driven by genetic substructuring. This suggests that the small population size of these reintroduced populations may lead to genetic issues in the future, given the low number of flowering individuals each year. This highlights the importance of considering not only the number of source individuals but the effective population size of the reintroduction.

scholarly journals The Ira Moana Project: A Genetic Observatory for Aotearoa’s Marine Biodiversity

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libby Liggins ◽  
Cory Noble ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Data Governance ◽  
Data Resource ◽  
Genetic Biodiversity ◽  
Research Activities

The genetic diversity of populations plays a crucial role in ensuring species and ecosystem resilience to threats such as climate change and habitat degradation. Despite this recognized importance of genetic diversity, and its relevance to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it remains difficult to observe and synthesize genetic data at a national scale. The “Ira Moana—Genes of the Sea—Project” (https://sites.massey.ac.nz/iramoana/) has worked to improve stewardship of genetic data for Aotearoa New Zealand’s (NZ) marine organisms to facilitate marine genetic biodiversity observation, research, and conservation. The Ira Moana Project has established interoperable data infrastructures and tools that help researchers follow international best-practice (including the FAIR Principles for Data Stewardship and CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance) and contribute to a national genetic data resource. Where possible, the Project has employed existing infrastructures (such as the Genomic Observatories Metadatabase, GEOME) to allow interoperability with similar research activities, but has also innovated to accommodate the national interests of NZ. The Ira Moana Project has an inclusive model, and through presentations, workshops, and datathons, it has provided training, education, and opportunities for collaboration among NZ researchers. Here, we outline the motivations for the Ira Moana Project, describe the Project activities and outcomes, and plans for future development. As a timely response to national and international pressures on genetic biodiversity research, it is hoped that the Ira Moana Project will facilitate NZ researchers, communities, and conservation practitioners to navigate this crucial period, and provide tangible solutions nationally and globally.

Genetic diversity and sustainable management of animal genetic resources, globally

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Fimland
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Developmental Trend ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
Global Responsibility ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
Commercial Breeding

SummaryGeneral trends of development imply an increasing uniformity of animal genetic resources, caused by the loss of endangered breeds and increased inbreeding within commercial breeding populations. The implications of these trends point to a reduction in the genetic diversity of the animal genetic resources, which may reduce possibilities for utilization in the future, while at the same time a dramatic change in environmental production conditions can be observed. In order to change this developmental trend, sustainable management of animal genetic resources must be promoted globally. The fundamental issues for such sustainable management are illustrated by the principles given in the Convention on Biological Diversity. In order to accomplish sustainable management of these resources, the following actions must be taken:• The development of policies to promote national and global responsibility for maintaining genetic diversity, which will not be addressed within this paper• The development of knowledge as a fundamental concept to impose sustainable management principles on these animal genetic resources. This will be dealt with in this paper. A more complete description of these features can be found in Woolliams et al, 2005 in (Sustainable Management of Animal Genetic Resources).

Conservation genetics of UK livestock: from molecules to management

2004 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 151-169
Author(s):  
M.W. Bruford
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Erosion ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Molecular Genetic Diversity ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
Rational Management

AbstractAnalysis of molecular genetic diversity in livestock potentially allows for rational management of genetic resources experiencing the serious pressures now facing the livestock sector. The potentially damaging effects of genetic erosion are an ongoing threat, both through loss of breeding stock during the 2001 FMD crisis and potentially as a result of the ongoing National Scrapie Plan. These factors and an increasing focus through the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) on the conservation of animal genetic resources force us to consider seriously how to measure, monitor and conserve diversity throughout the genomes of livestock. Currently debated ways to optimally conserve livestock diversity, particularly the ‘Weitzman Approach’, may fail to take into account the significance of within-breed genetic diversity and its structuring, and apply relatively simplistic models to predict the probability of extinction for breeds over defined periods of time under certain management scenarios. In this paper I argue, using examples from our work and that of others, that within-breed diversity, in particular, should not be ignored when conserving livestock diversity, since breeds may be genetically structured at a variety of scales and there is little evidence for a convincing relationship between effective population size and genetic diversity within rare UK breeds. Furthermore, until we understand the population genetic forces that shape diversity in breeds in more detail, using raw indices of genetic variation or distances to rank or prioritise breeds in terms of some notional threat of extinction has questionable conservation value.

scholarly journals Neglect of Genetic Diversity in Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
LINDA LAIKRE ◽  
FRED W. ALLENDORF ◽  
LAUREL C. ARONER ◽  
C. SCOTT BAKER ◽  
DAVID P. GREGOVICH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity
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