Showcasing the application of genetics for the conservation management of austral birds

Conservation genomics and systematics of a near‐extinct island radiation

“…Conservation genomics is increasingly accessible owing to decreasing costs for high‐throughput genome‐scale approaches, which is allowing for more detailed perspectives on the population dynamics and predecline evolutionary histories of species of conservation concern (Cassin‐Sackett et al, 2019; Russello et al, 2020; Taylor & Kearns, 2021). However, despite advances in technologies, the invaluable source of genetic information held at natural history museum collections remains poorly integrated in conservation studies (Bi et al, 2013; Castañeda‐Rico et al, 2020; Nakahama, 2021; Wandeler et al, 2007).…”

“…Here, we add a genomic perspective to the conservation of A . hiwae , which will allow for robust delineation of conservation management units and species boundaries, and precise estimates of population connectivity, genetic diversity, inbreeding and population size (Campana et al, 2020; Cassin‐Sackett et al, 2019, 2021; Cortes‐Rodriguez et al, 2019; Kardos et al, 2016; Martini et al, 2021; Onley et al, 2021; Taylor & Kearns, 2021). In particular we aim to inform three proposed actions from the nightingale reedwarbler recovery plan (U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 1998) that have yet to be fully implemented: (i) testing the taxonomic distinctiveness of species, subspecies and island populations in the nightingale reedwarbler radiation, including determining whether Saipan and Alamagan populations are genetically distinct enough to warrant subspecies recognition and/or require separate conservation management; (ii) estimating current population dynamics within A .…”

“…Conservation management of A. hiwae has focused on mitigating habitat loss, performing population surveys (including banding birds), implementing public education campaigns, monitoring for the establishment of the brown tree snake (U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 1998) and modelling population dynamics using demographic data (Fantle-Lepczyk et al, 2018). Here, we add a genomic perspective to the conservation of A. hiwae, which will allow for robust delineation of conservation management units and species boundaries, and precise estimates of population connectivity, genetic diversity, inbreeding and population size (Campana et al, 2020;Cassin-Sackett et al, 2019, 2021Cortes-Rodriguez et al, 2019;Kardos et al, 2016;Martini et al, 2021;Onley et al, 2021;Taylor & Kearns, 2021). In particular we aim to inform three proposed actions from the nightingale reedwarbler recovery plan (U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 1998) that have yet to be fully implemented: (i) testing the taxonomic distinctiveness of species, subspecies and island populations in the nightingale reedwarbler radiation, including determining whether we explore the uncertain phylogenetic affinities of the nightingale reedwarblers with respect to the broader Pacific reedwarbler radiation (Cibois et al, 2011;Saitoh et al, 2012).…”