Evolutionary toxicology

Abstract

Recent advances in molecular genetics and genomics have been embraced by many scientists in natural resource conservation. Today, several major conservation and management journals are using the "genetics" editors of this book to deal solely with the influx of manuscripts that employ molecular data. The editors have attempted to synthesize some of the major uses of molecular markers in natural resource management in a book targeted not only at scientists but also at individuals actively making conservation and management decisions. To that end, the text features contributors who are major figures in molecular ecology and evolution-many having published books of their own. The aim is to direct and distill the thoughts of these outstanding scientists by compiling compelling case histories in molecular ecology as they apply to natural resource management.

The four cornerstones of Evolutionary Toxicology

“…Increased genetic diversity has been reported in several studies (Baker et al 2001;Cohen 2002;Shugart et al 2010;Theodorakis and Shugart 1997). Suggested reasons for diversity increases include migration or mixing of populations, diversifying selection, and increased mutation rates (Shugart et al 2010). These are further discussed below.…”

“…MHC genes have been used in a few ecotoxicological studies including rodents (Pfau et al 2001) and fish (Cohen et al 2006). Similarly, allozyme loci have long been used to document genetic patterns in fish, plants and other organisms exposed to mercury and other heavy metals from contaminated sites such as mine tailings (Bickham et al 2000;Shugart et al 2010). A large body of literature has developed documenting the presence of resistant genotypes in diverse organisms.…”

“…In short, it investigates the impacts of environmental pollutants on the genetics of natural populations (Bickham and Smolen 1994;Bickham et al 2000;Matson et al 2006). As described in a recent review (Shugart et al 2010), Evolutionary Toxicology uses the experimental designs typical of Ecotoxicology, including the selection of appropriate sentinel species, comparisons of matched reference sites and polluted sites, correlation of effects with gradient exposures, and experimental studies using controlled exposures. The conceptual basis for Evolutionary Toxicology derives from both evolutionary theory and conservation biology, and the analytical and laboratory methods are those of molecular population genetics.…”

“…These all cause indirect genetic effects and it is these that are the focus of Evolutionary Toxicology. Specifically, there are four categories of population genetic responses to contaminant exposure: (1) genome-wide changes in genetic diversity; (2) changes in allelic or genotypic frequencies caused by contaminant-induced selection acting at survivorship loci; (3) changes in dispersal patterns or gene flow which alter the genetic relationships among populations; and (4) changes in allelic or genotypic frequencies that are caused by increased mutation rates (Shugart et al 2010;Theodorakis and Wirgin 2002;Van Straalen and Timmermans 2002). Although this is not necessarily an exhaustive list of potential genetic effects, these herein are referred to as the four cornerstones of Evolutionary Toxicology ( Fig.…”

DNA damage in cichlids from an oil production facility in Guatemala

“…The particular biomarker used for this study was DNA damage, which has proven useful for monitoring xenobiotic exposure and effects in a number of aquatic species (Bickham et al 1998b;Costa et al 2002;Jha 2004;Neuparth et al 2006;Theodorakis 2008;Shugart et al 2010). DNA damage has been found to be characteristic of exposure to crude oil (Bickham et al 1998a;Custer et al 2000;Pérez-Cadahía et al 2004;Baršien_ e et al 2006a, b;Bolognesi et al 2006;Laffon et al 2006;Goanvec et al 2008;Deasi et al 2010).…”