User:Dlatta/Conservation genetics

Techniques
Another technique that relies on specific genetics of an individual is noninvasive monitoring, which uses extracted DNA from organic material that an individual leaves behind, such as a feather. Environmental DNA (eDNA) can be extracted from soil, water, and air. Organisms deposit tissue cells into the environment and the degradation of these cells results in DNA being released into the environment . This too avoids disrupting the animals and can provide information about the sex, movement, kinship and diet of an individual.

Applications
These techniques have wide-ranging applications. One application of these specific molecular techniques is in defining species and sub-species of salmonids. Hybridization is an especially important issue in salmonids and this has wide-ranging conservation, political, social and economic implications. In Cutthroat Trout mtDNA and alloenzyme analysis, hybridization between native and non-native species was shown to be one of the major factors contributing to the decline in their populations. This led to efforts to remove some hybridized populations so native populations could breed more readily. Cases like these impact everything from the economy of local fishermen to larger companies, such as timber. Specific molecular techniques led to a closer analysis of taxonomic relationships, which is one factor that can lead to extinctions if unclear. More recent applications include using forensic genetic identification to identify species in cases of poaching. Wildlife DNA registers are used to regulate trade of protected species, species laundering, and poaching. Conservation genetics techniques can be used alongside a variety of scientific disciplines. For example, landscape genetics has been used in conjunction with conservation genetics to identify corridors and population dispersal barriers to give insight into conservation management.

Implications
A short list of studies a conservation geneticist may research include:

1.     Phylogenetic classification of species, subspecies, geographic races, and populations, and measures of phylogenetic diversity and uniqueness.

2.     Identifying hybrid species, hybridization in natural populations, and assessing the history and extent of introgression between species.

3.     Population genetic structure of natural and managed populations, including identification of Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) and management units for conservation.

4.     Assessing genetic variation within a species or population, including small or endangered populations, and estimates such as effective population size (Ne).

5.     Measuring the impact of inbreeding and outbreeding depression, and the relationship between heterozygosity and measures of fitness (see Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection).

6.     Evidence of disrupted mate choice and reproductive strategy in disturbed populations.

7.     Forensic applications, especially for the control of trade in endangered species.

8.     Practical methods for monitoring and maximizing genetic diversity during captive breeding programs and re-introduction schemes, including mathematical models and case studies.

9.     Conservation issues related to the introduction of genetically modified organisms.

10.  The interaction between environmental contaminants and the biology and health of an organism, including changes in mutation rates and adaptation to local changes in the environment (e.g. industrial melanism).

11.  New techniques for noninvasive genotyping.

12. Monitor genetic variability in populations and assess genes of fitness amongst organism populations.