Using genomics to characterize evolutionary potential for conservation of wild populations

Evolutionary Applications

Katherine A. Harrisson¹  Alexandra Pavlova¹  Marina Telonis-Scott¹ 

[1] School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia

关键词: climate change;    genetic variation;    genome‐wide diversity;    local adaptation;    natural selection;    polygenic adaptation;    population persistence;    wildlife management;   

DOI  :  10.1111/eva.12149

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Genomics promises exciting advances towards the important conservation goal of maximizing evolutionary potential, notwithstanding associated challenges. Here, we explore some of the complexity of adaptation genetics and discuss the strengths and limitations of genomics as a tool for characterizing evolutionary potential in the context of conservation management. Many traits are polygenic and can be strongly influenced by minor differences in regulatory networks and by epigenetic variation not visible in DNA sequence. Much of this critical complexity is difficult to detect using methods commonly used to identify adaptive variation, and this needs appropriate consideration when planning genomic screens, and when basing management decisions on genomic data. When the genomic basis of adaptation and future threats are well understood, it may be appropriate to focus management on particular adaptive traits. For more typical conservations scenarios, we argue that screening genome-wide variation should be a sensible approach that may provide a generalized measure of evolutionary potential that accounts for the contributions of small-effect loci and cryptic variation and is robust to uncertainty about future change and required adaptive response(s). The best conservation outcomes should be achieved when genomic estimates of evolutionary potential are used within an adaptive management framework.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.