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Guidelines for collecting and maintaining archives for genetic monitoring

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Abstract

Rapid advances in molecular genetic techniques and the statistical analysis of genetic data have revolutionized the way that populations of animals, plants and microorganisms can be monitored. Genetic monitoring is the practice of using molecular genetic markers to track changes in the abundance, diversity or distribution of populations, species or ecosystems over time, and to follow adaptive and non-adaptive genetic responses to changing external conditions. In recent years, genetic monitoring has become a valuable tool in conservation management of biological diversity and ecological analysis, helping to illuminate and define cryptic and poorly understood species and populations. Many of the detected biodiversity declines, changes in distribution and hybridization events have helped to drive changes in policy and management. Because a time series of samples is necessary to detect trends of change in genetic diversity and species composition, archiving is a critical component of genetic monitoring. Here we discuss the collection, development, maintenance, and use of archives for genetic monitoring. This includes an overview of the genetic markers that facilitate effective monitoring, describes how tissue and DNA can be stored, and provides guidelines for proper practice.

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Notes

  1. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/conservation/science/at_the_zoo/the_frozen_zoo/.

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Acknowledgments

This work was conducted as part of the Genetic Monitoring (GeM) Working Group jointly supported by the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NSF #EF-0423641) and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, a center funded by NSF (NSF #EF-0553768), the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the State of California. L.L. also acknowledges the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP/2007-2013) under grant agreement No 217246 made with BONUS, the joint Baltic Sea research and development programme. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government.

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Author notes

  1. Jennifer A. Jackson

    Present address: British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR, 97365, USA

    Jennifer A. Jackson

  2. Division of Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden

    Linda Laikre

  3. Marine Mammal Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR, 97365, USA

    C. Scott Baker

  4. School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    C. Scott Baker

  5. US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Glacier National Park, West Glacier, MT, USA

    Katherine C. Kendall

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  1. Jennifer A. Jackson
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  4. Katherine C. Kendall
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The Genetic Monitoring Working Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer A. Jackson.

Additional information

The NCEAS/NESCent Working Group on Genetic Monitoring (GeM) is chaired by F. W. Allendorf, University of Montana, USA, and M. K. Schwartz, USDA Forest Service, USA. The other members are: C. S. Baker (Oregon State University, USA), D. P. Gregovich (University of Alaska, USA), M. M. Hansen (Aarhus University, Denmark), J.A. Jackson (Oregon State University, USA), K. C. Kendall (US Geological Survey, USA), L. Laikre (Stockholm University, Sweden), K. McKelvey (USDA Forest Service, USA), M. C. Neel (University of Maryland, USA), I. Olivieri (Université de Montpellier II, France), N. Ryman (Stockholm University, Sweden), R. Short Bull (University of Montana, USA), J.B. Stetz (University of Montana, USA), D. A. Tallmon (University of Alaska, USA), C. D. Vojta (US Forest Service, USA), D. M. Waller (University of Wisconsin, USA) and R. S. Waples (National Marine Fisheries Service, USA).

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Jackson, J.A., Laikre, L., Baker, C.S. et al. Guidelines for collecting and maintaining archives for genetic monitoring. Conservation Genet Resour 4, 527–536 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-011-9545-x

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