Loss of genetic diversity in sea otters (<i>Enhydra lutris</i>) associated with the fur trade of the 18th and 19th centuries

Larson, Shawn; Jameson, Ronald J.; Etnier, Michael A.; Fleming, Melissa; Bentzen, Paul

doi:10.1046/j.1365-294x.2002.01599.x

Cited by 111 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Some recent studies have been conducted over short time frames, for example, within 50-200 years (e.g., ref. 30). The general focus of these studies has been to detect any changes in the overall levels of genetic variation between temporarily separated populations that were severely bottlenecked as a result of human exploitation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microevolution and mega-icebergs in the Antarctic

Shepherd

Millar

Ballard

et al. 2005

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Microevolution is regarded as changes in the frequencies of genes in populations over time. Ancient DNA technology now provides an opportunity to demonstrate evolution over a geological time frame and to possibly identify the causal factors in any such evolutionary event. Using nine nuclear microsatellite DNA loci, we genotyped an ancient population of Adélie penguins ( Pygoscelis adeliae ) aged ≈6,000 years B.P. Subfossil bones from this population were excavated by using an accurate stratigraphic method that allowed the identification of individuals even within the same layer. We compared the allele frequencies in the ancient population with those recorded from the modern population at the same site in Antarctica. We report significant changes in the frequencies of alleles between these two time points, hence demonstrating microevolutionary change. This study demonstrates a nuclear gene-frequency change over such a geological time frame. We discuss the possible causes of such a change, including the role of mutation, genetic drift, and the effects of gene mixing among different penguin populations. The latter is likely to be precipitated by mega-icebergs that act to promote migration among penguin colonies that typically show strong natal return.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microevolution and mega-icebergs in the Antarctic

Shepherd

Millar

Ballard

et al. 2005

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…The evidence was threefold: (1) no significant differences were detected in mtDNA and microsatellite diversities between the historical and modern samples; (2) no significant F ST values were found between the historical and modern samples; and (3) no significant temporal changes in N e were detected between the historical and modern samples. Although mtDNA diversity shows a decreasing trend over time (Table 2) Many studies have shown that populations experiencing reductions in population size would undergo changes in genetic diversity (e.g., Groombridge et al 2000, Larson et al 2002, Paxinos et al 2002. For example, Mauritius Kestrels experienced significant loss of genetic diversity resulting from a severe population bottleneck, but have recovered from a single wild breeding pair (Jones 1987), demonstrating an unexpected resilience of the population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is expected that reducing the number of individuals within a species will lead to a concomitant loss of genetic diversity, as has been documented in endangered species such as Mauritius Kestrels Falco punctatus (Groombridge et al 2000), sea otters Enhydra lutris (Larson et al 2002), Hawaiian Geese Branta sandvicensis (Paxinos et al 2002), and orangutans Pongo pygmaeus ). Genetic diversity is often linked to evolutionary potential and the ability of species to respond to environmental changes (Amos and Balmford 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic consequences of historical anthropogenic and ecological events on giant pandas

Zhu

et al. 2013

Ecology

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Abstract. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) was taken to the brink of extinction in the 1980s through a combination of deforestation, large-scale loss of bamboo in the core of its range, poaching, and zoo collection, causing over 1000 deaths from the 1950s. It was thought that the drastic population decline was likely to impose a severe impact on population viability. Here, based on temporal genotyping of individuals, we show that this rapid decline did not significantly reduce the overall effective population size and genetic variation of this species, or of the two focal populations (Minshan and Qionglai ) that declined the most. These results are contrary to previously assumptions, probably because the population decline has not produced the expected negative impact due to the short time scale involved (at most 10 generations), or because previous surveys underestimated the population size at the time of decline. However, if present-day habitat fragmentation and limited migration of giant pandas remains, we predict a loss of genetic diversity across the giant pandas' range in the near future. Thus, our findings highlight the substantial resilience of this species when facing demographic and environmental stochasticity, but key conservation strategies, such as enhancing habitat connectivity and habitat restoration should be immediately implemented to retain the extant genetic variation and maintain long-term evolutionary potential of this endangered species.

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“…Rapid and irreversible loss of genetic diversity further increases extinction risk of a species and underscores the need for preemptive conservation action. However, reduced genetic variability must be shown to be truly a recent bottleneck through anthropogenic disturbance, as in the case of sea otters being impacted by the fur trade (Larson et al 2002). In other mammalian species, such as cheetahs (MenottiRaymond and O'Brien 1993) and wolverines (Schwartz et al 2007), low genetic variability is a result of previous historical demographic changes (e.g., bottlenecking from Pleistocene glacial cycles, founder effects at periphery of distribution).…”

Section: Estimating Extinction Risk and Extinction Rate: The Role Of mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Roles of Taxonomy and Systematics in Bat Conservation

Tsang

Cirranello

Bates

et al. 2015

Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World

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Taxonomy-the description, naming, and classification of organismsand systematics-the study of the evolutionary relationships of organisms-are both crucial components in conservation, providing a necessary framework for any conservation initiative. With more than 200 new bat species identified or raised from synonymy in the past decade and additional taxa described monthly, the Age of Discovery is ongoing for bats. New taxonomic and systematic discoveries clarify the status of populations, and the recognition of distinct species and lineages allows appropriate conservation strategies to be crafted, increasing the likelihood of recovery. In addition to identifying species and specimens, taxonomists care for vouchers, provide species lists for localities, and communicate taxonomic ideas to non-experts, especially through descriptions, keys, and field guides. Taxonomists can also provide conservation planning tools such as inventory data, estimates of extinction risk and extinction rate, and information for defining protected areas. Despite the importance of taxonomy, a lack of financial and institutional support impedes the training and employment of taxonomists and such factors need to be

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Loss of genetic diversity in sea otters (Enhydra lutris) associated with the fur trade of the 18th and 19th centuries

Cited by 111 publications

References 26 publications

Microevolution and mega-icebergs in the Antarctic

Microevolution and mega-icebergs in the Antarctic

Genetic consequences of historical anthropogenic and ecological events on giant pandas

The Roles of Taxonomy and Systematics in Bat Conservation

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