Comparative genomics for biodiversity conservation

Abstract

Genomic approaches are gathering momentum in biology and emerging opportunities lie in the creative use of comparative molecular methods for revealing the processes that influence diversity of wildlife. However, few comparative genomic studies are performed with explicit and specific objectives to aid conservation of wild populations. Here I provide a brief overview of comparative genomic approaches that offer specific benefits to biodiversity conservation. Because conservation examples are few, I draw on research from other areas to demonstrate how comparing genomic data across taxa may be used to inform the characterisation of conservation units and studies of hybridisation, as well as studies that provide conservation outcomes from a better understanding of the drivers of divergence. A comparative approach can also provide valuable insight into the threatening processes that impact rare species, such as emerging diseases and their management in conservation. In addition to these opportunities, I note areas where additional research is warranted. Overall, comparing and contrasting the genomic composition of threatened and other species provide several useful tools for helping to preserve the molecular biodiversity of the global ecosystem.

Overview on the Role of Advance Genomics in Conservation Biology of Endangered Species

“…For example, any deleterious mutations in the genes for brain function, metabolism, immunity, and so forth can be easily detected by advanced genomic approaches. Conversely, these can also detect any changes in their genome which may result in enhanced functions of some genes, for example, related to enhanced brain function and metabolism that may lead to the abnormal accumulation of toxins [24–26]. Specific genetic tools and analytical techniques are used to assess the genome of various species to detect genetic variations associated with specific conservation and population structure.…”

Potential of genomic approaches in conservation of plant and animal biodiversity in Africa: A review

“…It helps to identify essential genes for fitness and eventually develops modern monitoring tools for endangered plant and animal species (Godoy, 2016). Development of potential genomic tools has enabled studies of population structure, current demographic events and genetic variations in threatened species of plants and animals (Grueber, 2015). With advanced genomics tools it is possible to detect harmful mutations in the genes for metabolism, functions, immunity and in any part of living organism, plants and animals (Grueber, (Simpson et al 2017).…”

“…This is because these tools help to conserve species, and contribute to save species from extinction (Aravanopoulos et al 2015; Karolchik et al 2014). Development of genomics has resulted into increase in the number of species with whole-genome sequence data (Ellegren, 2014;Grueber, 2015;Rutledgea et al 2012). This has made availability of genome resources to most endangered plant and animal species (Ellegren, 2014;Grueber, 2015;Karolchik et al 2014).…”

“…Development of genomics has resulted into increase in the number of species with whole-genome sequence data (Ellegren, 2014;Grueber, 2015;Rutledgea et al 2012). This has made availability of genome resources to most endangered plant and animal species (Ellegren, 2014;Grueber, 2015;Karolchik et al 2014). Conservation of plants and animals is growing and promises to modernise the population genetics field due to the use of genomewide single nucleotide polymorphisms (Rutledgea et al 2012).…”

“…There are benefits that may occur in some species as a result of natural variation, and other species can be valuable than others (Hoffmann et al 2015 Hasbún et al 2016). The application of genomics for conservation of plant and animal population or biodiversity is known as conservation genomics (Garner et al 2016;Grueber, 2015). It is the field of science that uses genomic data from thousands or tens of thousands of loci to address important questions for biodiversity conservation (Garner et Tian et al 2017).…”