Abstract
We present a conservation genetics tool kit, which offers two ready-to-use workflows for the routine application of genetic methods in conservation management. The workflows were optimized for work load and costs and are accompanied by an easy-to-read and richly illustrated manual with guidelines regarding sampling design, sampling of genetic material, necessary permits, laboratory methods, statistical analyses and documentation of results in a practice-oriented way. The manual also provides a detailed interpretation help for the implementation of the results in conservation management. One workflow deals with the identification of pond-breeding amphibians based on metabarcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples. This workflow also discriminates the morphologically similar water frogs (Pelophylax sp.) and other closely related species (e.g. Triturus cristatus and T. carnifex). The second workflow studies connectivity among populations using microsatellite markers. Its statistical analyses encompass the detection of genetic groups and historical, recent and current dispersal and gene flow. Using the two workflows does not involve academic research institutes; they can be applied by environmental consultancies, laboratories from the private sector, governmental agencies or non-governmental organisations. These and additional conservation genetic workflows will hopefully foster the routine use of genetic methods in conservation management.
Highlights
Conservation genetics has an inherent practical goal, i.e., to use genetic theory and methods to conserve species and safeguard biodiversity (Frankham 1995)
Conservation genetic results often do not fit the expectations of practitioners and are difficult to communicate to stakeholders (Taylor et al 2017; Holderegger et al 2019a, b)
Conservation professionals acknowledge the potential of genetics in conservation management, but do not know how to initiate, apply or use genetic tools or how to interpret the output of conservation genetic analyses
Summary
Conservation genetics has an inherent practical goal, i.e., to use genetic theory and methods to conserve species and safeguard biodiversity (Frankham 1995). We present ready-to-use conservation genetic workflows developed by a Swiss consortium consisting of a university (University of Zürich), a national research institute (WSL), a university of applied sciences (HSR), a national centre for species distribution data (info fauna-karch), a private laboratory company (Microsynth Ecogenics GmbH) and an environmental consultancy (ARNAL).
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