Module 17 Ecological and Conservation Genetics

Question 1

concerned with the genetics of ecologically important traits, i.e., those traits related to fitness such as survival and reproduction

Also known as the study of the process of phenotypic evolution occurring in present-day natural populations

Answer 1

Ecological Genetics

Question 2

A change in the mean or variance of a trait across generations due to changes in allele frequencies

Answer 2

Phenotypic Evolution

Question 3

The central theme of ecological genetics, it is a phenotypic trait that has evolved to help an organism deal w/ something in its environment

Answer 3

Adaptation

Question 4

This is the application of genetics to conservation biology which deals with the genetic factors that affect extinction risk and genetic management regimes required to minimize these risks.

Answer 4

Conservation Genetics

Question 5

Biodiversity depends on _____? Why?

Answer 5

Genetic Diversity; Maintaining biodiversity in the long term is unlikely if genetic diversity is lost.

Question 6

Two levels for consideration in Genetic Diversity

Answer 6

Interspecific and Intraspecific diversity

Question 7

Associated with a reduction in population size mainly attributed to
- excessive hunting and harvesting
- habitat loss

Answer 7

Loss of genetic Diversity

Question 8

Genetic Effects of Decreased Population Size (3)

Answer 8

• genetic drift
• inbreeding
• reduction in gene flow

Question 9

Term for the loss of previously existing genetic diversity from a population or species

Answer 9

Genetic Erosion

Question 10

Seven major genetic issues in conservation biology

Answer 10

1. inbreeding depression
2. accumulation and loss of deleterious mutations
3. loss of genetic variation in small populations
4. genetic adaptation to captivity and its effect on re-introduction success
5. outbreeding depression
6. fragmentation of populations and reduction in migration
7. taxonomic uncertainties and introgression

Question 11

Occurs when progeny from mating between two genetically diverse individuals end up being less fit for either parent’s environment.

Answer 11

Outbreeding depression

Question 12

Conservation method that involves actively adding individuals to an existing population to increase its size and genetic diversity.

Answer 12

Population Augmentation

Question 13

Conservation method that involves the conservation of species within their natural habitats. The focus is on protecting and managing ecosystems to ensure the survival of the species in their native environment.

Answer 13

In-situ Conservation

Question 14

Conservation method that involves the conservation of genetic diversity outside the natural habitat of the species. This can be done in facilities such as botanical gardens, zoos, seed banks, or other controlled environments.

Answer 14

Ex-situ conservation