66773 - Conservation Genetics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will have theoretical knowledge on the methods describing the genetic variability within and between wildlife species or populations threatened by extinction. In particular, the student will be able to:- quantifying genetic variability in natural populations; - describing structure and gene flow in natural populations; - identifying the molecular markers applied in population genetics; - identifying the extinction risk in fragmented, isolated, and declining populations through the use of biomolecular analyses.

Course contents

 Module 1 - Conservation Genetics (Nadia Mucci)

The loss of biodiversity and the birth of Conservation Genetics.

The role of conservation genetics in natural populations.

Genetic variability and wildlife conservation.

Estimating genetic variability in natural populations.

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

The origin of the genetic variability in natural populations: the mutation.

Molecular markers used in Conservation Genetics: mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Microsatellite Loci (STRs), Single Point Mutations (SNPs).

Migrations and gene flow. Natural selection and adaptation.

Genetics and Extinction: loss of genetic diversity, bottleneck, drift, inbreeding, fragmentation, decline, and isolation of natural populations.

Systematics and taxonomy in wildlife conservation: definitions of species, subspecies and management units (ESU, MU, CU).

Natural and anthropogenic hybridization.

Outbreeding depression.

Non-invasive genetics.

Principles and applications of Forensic Genetics.


Module 2 - Conservation Genomics (Romolo Caniglia)

From the human genome project to the first genomic studies applied to the conservation of biodiversity.

From Conservation Genetics to Conservation Genomics.

The role of genomics in the conservation of natural populations.

Genomic markers: Whole Genomes, Mitogenomes, and SNPs.

Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing procedures.

Population Genomics Analysis Software.

Non-invasive genomics: genomic markers for the identification of species and individuals.

Application of genomics in anthropogenetic hybridization.

Genomic basis of phenotypes.

General Domestication Syndrome: the history of the domestication of pets and farm animals.

Genomic applications for the study of domestication processes.

New molecular analysis techniques for the Conservation of Biodiversity: CRISP in Conservation Genomics.

Metagenomics, environmental DNA, and ancient DNA analysis.

Practical applications: exercises with different data sets and programs of Genetics and Population Genomics.

Readings/Bibliography

Introduction to conservation genetics. R Franckham, GD Ballou, DA Briscoe. Cambridge UP 2010

Population Genomics: Concepts, Approaches and Applications. Om P. Rajora (Editor). Springer Nature Switzerland AG. (2019) First edition.

Teaching methods

Lectures and discussion of scientific articles

Assessment methods

Multiple-choice tests and a short composition

Teaching tools

PDF presentation of lessons

Office hours

See the website of Nadia Mucci

See the website of Romolo Caniglia