The coming of age of conservation genetics in Latin America: what has been achieved and what needs to be done

Torres‐Florez, Juan Pablo; Johnson, Warren E.; Nery, Mariana F.; Eizirik, Eduardo; Oliveira‐Miranda, María A.; Galetti, Pedro Manoel

doi:10.1007/s10592-017-1006-y

Cited by 35 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Our study underscores that historical natural features that preclude individual dispersal may be more critical than recent events of anthropogenic habitat modification (e.g., González‐Serna, Cordero, & Ortego, 2018). A general understanding of factors leading to diversification of stream‐breeding frogs will only become feasible when we have more comparative landscape genetic studies in tropical habitats (Torres‐Florez et al., 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Amphibians are one of the most endangered vertebrate groups (Wake & Vredenburg, 2008) as evidenced by multiple species declines globally due to a combination of factors, including anthropogenic habitat modification (the Global Decline of Amphibians; Allentoft & O’Brien, 2010; Becker, Fonseca, Haddad, Batista, & Prado, 2007; Blaustein & Kiesecker, 2002; Cushman, 2006; Scheele et al., 2019). As a result, conservation genetic studies have focused mainly on vegetation loss and distribution of remaining suitable habitats, especially in the Neotropics (Dixo et al., 2009; Eterovick et al., 2016; Torres‐Florez et al., 2018). By adding topography to the scenario, we bring novel information for amphibian conservation, especially for the highly threatened Brazilian Cerrado at both local and broad scales.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Landscape genetic studies in temperate ecosystems vastly outnumber those in the Neotropics (reviews in Manel & Holderegger, 2013; Torres‐Florez et al., 2018). The Brazilian Cerrado is the second largest South American morphoclimatic domain, with an original area of approximately 2.5 million km 2 of highly heterogeneous landscapes (Silva, Farinas, Felfili, & Klink, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Topography, more than land cover, explains genetic diversity in a Neotropical savanna tree frog

Nali

Becker

Zamudio

et al. 2020

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Effective conservation policies rely on information about population genetic structure and the connectivity of remnants of suitable habitats. The interaction between natural and anthropogenic discontinuities across landscapes can uncover the relative contributions of different barriers to gene flow, with direct consequences for decision‐making in conservation. We aimed to quantify the relative roles of land cover and topographic variables on the population genetic differentiation and diversity of a stream‐breeding savanna tree frog (Bokermannohyla ibitiguara) across its range. Location Serra da Canastra mountain range, Cerrado of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Methods We collected samples and extracted DNA samples from 12 populations within and outside a strictly protected park, and used 17 microsatellite markers to assess genetic structure, among‐population differentiation and within‐population diversity measures. We incorporated landscape data derived from digital models and satellite images to create connectivity matrices to correlate with genetic differentiation using Mantel tests. We used generalized linear models and path analyses to assess the roles of each landscape variable in shaping genetic diversity in this species. Results Populations within and outside the park boundaries belonged to four genetic clusters. Most populations showed evidence of limited gene flow, with significant genetic differentiation, except for those within the park, which also had higher levels of allelic richness and heterozygosity. However, genetic differentiation among populations in this landscape was primarily explained by topographic complexity. Likewise, within‐population measures of genetic diversity were best explained by models including elevation and topographic complexity, and not the amount of natural habitat or gallery forests. Main conclusions Our results underscore that topography may be a strong historical factor shaping genetic structure among amphibian populations. Therefore, effective conservation strategies for endangered amphibians should avoid focusing exclusively on habitat suitability, and incorporate topographic complexity, which seems to be a key factor for the fauna of the extremely threatened Brazilian savanna.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Topography, more than land cover, explains genetic diversity in a Neotropical savanna tree frog

Nali

Becker

Zamudio

et al. 2020

Diversity and Distributions

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“…Although a gap between population genetic research and conservation practices remains, genetic data has been successfully used to address assessment, management and conservation needs in many marine species for at least three decades in developed countries (Milner et al, 1985;Shaklee et al, 1999;Vera et al, 2016). However, implementing such strategies remains challenging in Chile. In recent decades, genetic diversity and population structure have been assessed using microsatellites, one of the most widely used markers for conservation genetics, molecular ecology and population genetics studies in non-model species (Pérez-Espona and ConGRESS Consortium, 2017;Torres-Florez et al, 2017). Microsatellites are codominant, highly polymorphic and ostensibly neutral markers in natural populations, with mutation rates of 10 −3 -10 −4 per generation (Ellegren, 2004;Lenstra et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Genypterus chilensis, a Commercial Benthic Marine Species of the South Pacific

et al. 2019

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The red cusk-eel (Genypterus chilensis, Guichenot, 1848) is an iconic species in Chilean gastronomy, with a cultural significance that extends beyond its economic value, worthy of conservation. Despite the decline in fishery productivity across most of the distribution range for this species, little effort has been devoted to assessing stock management. In the present study, seven heterologous microsatellite loci (cmrGb3.8.1, cmrGb5.2B, cmrGb4.2A, cmrGb4.2B, cmrGb5.9, cmrGb4.11, and cmrGb2.6.1) were genotyped in a total of 153 individuals from four locations in central and southern Chile (30.5-37.6 • S), comprising ∼1,000 km of coastline. Five microsatellite loci were consistently amplified with a low frequency of null alleles (<2.5%). These markers showed high average heterozygosity (H O = 0.886 and H E = 0.884) and PIC (0.869). Significant genetic differentiation among locations (global F ST = 0.043, global D Jost = 0.252) suggested the presence of at least two genetic groups along the Chilean coast, with moderate levels of admixture between the two central populations (0.168 < Q mean < 0.822). The southern population showed no admixture with the central populations (Q mean = 0.985), less allelic richness and a small effective population size, indicating that urgent management measures must be developed for this fishery. The present study provides baseline information to assist fishery and aquaculture management and contribute to the recovery of declining populations.

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“…Almost all respondents had considered using genetics for conservation management, and 80% had performed a genetic assessment in their managed area, either directly or through collaboration (Figure 1d), although a limitation to the survey could be that respondents may be biasedtoward individuals who were already more interested in using geneticdata to inform conservation. However, given the consistency of results, it appears that a positive perception of genetics for conservation management may not have a geographic bias, although applications and barriers may differ among countries and regions for reasons such as funding and legislation (e.g., Torres‐Florez et al (2018)).…”

Section: Use and Perceptions Of Genetic Assessmentsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Research–management partnerships: An opportunity to integrate genetics in conservation actions

Taft

McCoskey

Miller

et al. 2020

Conservat Sci and Prac

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Preserving genetic diversity is a central goal in conservation biology, but there is a mismatch between the availability of genetic data and its use in conservation policy. In this study, we surveyed conservation practitioners from academic and government institutions to identify barriers preventing the use of genetic data for conservation practice and policy. Our survey data indicates that the majority of respondents are interested in using genetic tools, and many have used them in the past. Most of these genetic studies were facilitated by partnerships with academic and private organizations, which was the preferred method for integrating genetic research in practice by managers. Although much progress has been made to incorporate genetic study in conservation practice, differences in research goals, the cost of analyses and lack of specialized personnel continue to be barriers to incorporating genetic study in evaluating management actions and informing legislation. We recommend increasing the number of collaborative partnerships between genetic researchers and conservation managers to support management strategies of wild populations.

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The coming of age of conservation genetics in Latin America: what has been achieved and what needs to be done

Cited by 35 publications

References 75 publications

Topography, more than land cover, explains genetic diversity in a Neotropical savanna tree frog

Topography, more than land cover, explains genetic diversity in a Neotropical savanna tree frog

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Genypterus chilensis, a Commercial Benthic Marine Species of the South Pacific

Research–management partnerships: An opportunity to integrate genetics in conservation actions

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