A recently published special issue of the Journal of Heredity focuses on case studies of real-world applications of conservation genetics in Latin America, from nabbing parrot smugglers to exposing fraudulent fish sales.
The discipline of conservation genetics – the use of genetic techniques to further goals of conserving and restoring biodiversity – has been growing for at least four decades. But only relatively recently have genetic techniques been used not just to understand conservation problems, but to solve those problems as well. The application of genetic techniques is increasingly important in Latin America, where vast biodiversity is being degraded by inexorable economic development.
“Latin America has an unusual level of biodiversity, and is also undergoing unprecedented development, making the region of particular conservation concern,” said Dr. Kathryn M. Rodriguez-Clark, one of the editors of the special issue. “But these factors also contribute to the growth of a scientific community able to provide real help, given the right support.”
The special issue includes fifteen papers highlighting the use of genetic techniques to address problems in the conservation of Latin American biodiversity, ranging from trees to toads to tamarins.
Related on the SLP
One study included in the special issue used DNA “barcoding” to identify an instance of attempted illegal smuggling of eggs from Brazilian parrots. This kind of DNA sequencing can be a powerful tool to assist in criminal investigations and design of strategies to prevent wildlife smuggling.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Finding the ‘conservation’ in conservation genetics
