Conservation Genetics and Genomics Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts related to conservation genetics and genomics as discussed in the lecture.

Conservation genetics

The use of genetic/genomic techniques to solve problems in conservation biology.

Inbreeding depression

Loss of fitness due to inbreeding, where the likelihood of inbreeding increases as population size decreases.

Genetic rescue

The use of assisted migration to introduce genes into isolated populations to enhance genetic diversity.

Extinction vortex

A negative feedback loop of small populations toward extinction, often caused by decreased genetic variation.

Allele frequencies

The relative frequency of an allele at a genetic locus in a population, used to understand population structure and migration.

Hybridization

The process of interbreeding between different populations or species, which can impact genetic diversity.

Heterozygosity

A measure of genetic variation within a population; higher heterozygosity often correlates with better adaptability.

Whole genome sequencing

A comprehensive method for analyzing the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome to find regions of homozygosity.

Local adaptation

The process by which populations evolve to become better suited to their local environment, often reflected in allele frequency changes.

Inbreeding coefficient (F)

The probability that two alleles at a given locus in an individual are identical by descent from a common ancestor.

Population bottleneck

A sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events or human activities, leading to a decrease in genetic diversity.

Genetic drift

Random fluctuations in allele frequencies from one generation to the next, which is more pronounced in small populations.

Effective population size (N_e)

The size of an idealized population that would experience the same amount of genetic drift or inbreeding as the actual population.

Gene flow

The transfer of genetic material from one population to another, typically through migration and successful reproduction.