A Primer of
Conservation Genetics

Contents

Take home messages

• Chapter 1 Introduction
  The “sixth extinction”
  Why conserve biodiversity?
  Endangered and extinct species
  What is a threatened species?
  What causes extinctions?
  What is conservation genetics?
  Suggested further reading
  
  
• Chapter 2 Genetic diversity
  Importance of genetic diversity
  What is genetic diversity?
  Measuring genetic diversity
  Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
  Extent of genetic diversity
  Low genetic diversity in threatened species
  What component of genetic diversity determines the ability to evolve?
  Suggested further reading
  
  
• Chapter 3 Evolutionary genetics of natural populations
  Factors controlling the evolution of populations
  Origin and regeneration of genetic diversity
  Mutation
  Migration and gene flow
  Selection and adaptation
  Genotype x environment interaction
  Mutation-selection balance
  Suggested further reading
  
  
• Chapter 4 Genetic consequences of small population size
  Importance of small populations in conservation biology
  Loss of genetic diversity
  Chance effects and genetic drift
  Effects of sustained population size restrictions on genetic diversity
  Inbreeding
  Inbreeding in small random mating populations
  Measuring population size
  Population fragmentation
  Selection in small populations
  Suggested further reading
  
  
• Chapter 5 Genetics and extinction
  Genetics and the fate of endangered species
  Inbreeding depression
  Measuring inbreeding depression
  Relationship between inbreeding and extinction
  Relationship between loss of genetic diversity and extinction
  Genetically viable populations
  Population viability analysis (PVA)
  Suggested further reading
  
  
• Chapter 6 Resolving taxonomic uncertainties and defining management units
  Importance of accurate taxonomy in conservation biology
  What is a species?
  Sub-species
  How do species arise?
  Use of genetic analyses in delineating species
  Genetic distance
  Constructing phylogenetic trees
  Outbreeding depression
  Defining management units within species
  Suggested further reading
  
  
• Chapter 7 Genetic management of endangered species in the wild
  Genetic issues in endangered populations
  Increasing population size
  Diagnosing genetic problems
  Recovering small inbred populations with low genetic diversity
  Genetic management of fragmented populations
  Genetic issues in reserve design
  Introgression and hybridization
  Impacts of harvesting
  Genetic management of species that are not outbreeding diploids
  Evaluating recovery strategies
  Supplemental breeding and assisted reproductive technologies
  Suggested further reading
  
  
• Chapter 8 Captive breeding and reintroduction
  Why captive breed?
  Stages in captive breeding and reintroduction
  Founding captive populations
  Growth of captive populations
  Genetic management during the maintenance phase
  Captive management of groups
  Ex-situ conservation of plants
  Management of inherited diseases
  Reintroductions
  Genetic management of reintroductions
  How successful are reintroductions?
  Case studies in captive breeding and reintroduction
  Suggested further reading
  
  
• Chapter 9 Molecular genetics in forensics and understanding species biology
  Forensics: detecting illegal hunting and collecting
  Understanding species’ biology is critical to its conservation
  Gene trees and coalescence
  Population size and demographic history
  Gene flow and population structure
  Reintroduction and translocation
  Reproduction, parentage, founder relationships, and sexing
  Disease
  Diet
  Suggested further reading
  
  Final messages
  
  Glossary
  
  Sources and copyright acknowledgments
  
  
  Index
  
  
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