Conservation Genetics and Genomics of Small Wildlife Populations

Dear Colleagues,

Wildlife populations are under increasing pressure in the Anthropocene often resulting in decreasing numbers of individuals. On the one hand, landscape modification, poaching, over-exploration and climate change result in declining populations often separated in fragmented habitats and on the other hand, globalization and the increased movement of goods introduce invasive species in foreign habitats. We maintain also ex-situ populations for various purposes (zoos/breeding facilities/farms/etc.) sometimes used for release programs. Nowadays, studies of small populations often come in one of two flavours: those motivated by immediate, short-term concerns (e.g., conservation efforts) and those with a long-term, evolutionary perspective (e.g., adaptation and demography). As technological innovations provide ever greater genetic and genomic insights in recent years, the distinction of these two perspectives at ecological and evolutionary timescales begins to blur and consequently we want to bring both issues together in this Special Issue asking for manuscripts with an evolutionary conservation background.

We would like to put the focus on non-model species with a particular emphasis on studies of less investigated wildlife species, because research has often focused on a small number of iconic flagship species only, and many wildlife species are still under-investigated. These iconic flagship species may generate huge awareness for species conservation, but represent only a small part of global biodiversity. The less addressed species do not only improve our understanding of general principles, but they also offer insights into the evolution of their unique traits. Recent developments in genetics and genomics offer great potential to investigate these less addressed species.

This Special Issue asks for articles on one or more of the issues below but is also open for other topics addressing small wildlife populations.

Prof. Dr. Arne Ludwig
Dr. Daniel W. G. Förster
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• Conservation genetics and genomics of endangered species
• Genetics of ex-situ populations (pedigree analysis; inbreeding; heterosis)
• Genetic reasons for outbreeding depressions
• DNA barcoding
• Gene flow and immigration events
• Genetics of founder events of invasive species
• Underlying genetics of adaptation and how local differences contribute to species-wide diversity
• How to differentiate between demographic and selection processes
• Tracking diversity loss through time, in longitudinal studies, or by incorporating archival (e.g., museum) samples