Subspecies classification plays a critical role in understanding evolutionary processes and informing conservation strategies. In the western Mediterranean, the European Turtle-dove Streptopelia turtur is traditionally divided into two subspecies: S. t. turtur, which breeds across most of Europe, and S. t. arenicola, which occurs in North Africa and parts of southern Europe. However, the validity of this subspecific distinction remains controversial. Here, we test the validity of this classification by integrating morphometric and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from populations sampled across their breeding ranges, including mainland Europe, UK, North Africa, and the Canary and Balearic Islands (Spain). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) revealed no statistically significant morphometric differences between subspecies, with a strong overlap in key traits such as wing, tail, and tarsus length. Mitochondrial haplotypes formed a star-like network with no geographical structuring or lineage exclusivity. AMOVA and pairwise Fst analyses showed no genetic differentiation between subspecies, and variation was greater within S. t. turtur populations than between previously proposed subspecies. Our findings suggest that the current subspecific classification of European Turtle-dove may not be supported by genetic or morphometric evidence. Instead, the observed homogeneity could be attributed to on-going gene flow facilitated by dispersal during migration or a relatively recent shared evolutionary history. These results have important implications for the conservation management of western Mediterranean breeding populations, particularly in relation to hunting regulations. We advocate for an integrative approach using genomic and ecological data to reassess subspecies boundaries in S. turtur and ensure evidence-based conservation strategies.

The Critically Endangered Hooded Grebe Podiceps gallardoi has suffered a population decline of 80% since the 1980s. The evolutionary history and its critical conservation status place it 20th in the EDGE of Existence Bird List (EDGE-ZSL) among the more than 10,000 bird species of the world. The identification of demographically independent units (“management units”) is essential to address appropriate conservation and management strategies for threatened species. Genetic markers can be used to infer isolated populations without the need for logistically expensive banding and recapture. We used blood samples of 71 Hooded Grebes (c.10% of the global population) from three reproductive populations located at different plateaus that hold over 90% of the species’ global population. We analysed genetic population structure using a 353-bp fragment of mtDNA control region and 1,886 RAD loci to study whether Hooded Grebes are philopatric or not. We did not find differences in genetic structure of populations between plateaus indicating that Hooded Grebes do not consistently return to their plateau of origin. Our results are critical to understanding the connection of populations throughout the full annual movement cycle and propose management actions accordingly.

Biodiversity knowledge gaps and biases persist across low-income tropical regions. Genetic data are essential for addressing these issues, supporting biodiversity research and conservation planning. To assess progress in wildlife genetic sampling within the Philippines, I evaluated the scope, representativeness, and growth of publicly available genetic data and research on endemic vertebrates from the 1990s through 2024. Results showed that 82.3% of the Philippines’ 769 endemic vertebrates have genetic data, although major disparities remain. Reptiles had the least complete coverage but exhibited the highest growth, with birds, mammals, and amphibians following in that order. Species confined to smaller biogeographic subregions, with narrow geographic ranges, or classified as threatened or lacking threat assessments were disproportionately underrepresented. Research output on reptiles increased markedly, while amphibian research lagged behind. Although the number of non-unique authors in wildlife genetics studies involving Philippine specimens has grown steeply, Filipino involvement remains low. These results highlight the uneven and non-random distribution of wildlife genetic knowledge within this global biodiversity hotspot. Moreover, the limited participation of Global South researchers underscores broader inequities in wildlife genomics. Closing these gaps and addressing biases creates a more equitable and representative genetic knowledge base and supports its integration into national conservation efforts aligned with global biodiversity commitments.

Understanding the population structure and genetic diversity of green turtles is crucial for effective conservation. This study investigated the occurrence, genetic composition, and potential origins of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil, based on stranding data from 2010 to 2019. Analysis revealed that 87.36% of the population consisted of juveniles, primarily females with a curved carapace length (CCL) between 30 and 59.9 cm. Genetic analysis of the mtDNA control region (481 bp, n = 39) revealed eight haplotypes, with CM-A8 (48.7%) and CM-A5 (30.8%) being the most common. This may be related to the geographic position of the Potiguar Basin, located in the ‘corner’ of the South American continent. High haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity were observed, consistent with other Brazilian foraging grounds. Mixed stock analysis identified Ascension Island as the primary source population, followed by Guinea-Bissau and Surinam. The results highlight the importance of the Potiguar Basin as a foraging area for green turtles and emphasize the need for comprehensive conservation strategies to protect this vulnerable population.

Phylogenetic analyses can be used to resolve taxonomic uncertainties and reconstruct a species’ evolutionary history. This can be combined with ecological data to predict missing life history traits which are important for creation of conservation management strategies. We investigated the evolutionary and life history of the ‘Critically Endangered’ Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi by estimating its phylogenetic placement and using this new phylogeny to test the accuracy of phylogenetic comparative methods for estimating both documented and unknown life history traits. We extracted DNA from two Grenada Dove samples and obtained sequences from three mitochondrial markers: Cytochrome oxidase I (COI), NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) and Cytochrome b (Cyt b); and one nuclear marker: β-Fibrinogen intron 7 (β-FIB). We present the first genetic data obtained for the Grenada Dove. Our data identify the Grey-Chested Dove Leptotila cassinii as the species which shares both a most recent common ancestor, with an estimated divergence of approximately 2.53 million years ago, and the smallest genetic distance (P = 0.0303) with the Grenada Dove. Life history trait values for the Grenada Dove predicted from our analyses using phylogenetic imputation are: clutch size = 2 (± 0.09) eggs; clutches per year = 1.4 (± 0.81); incubation time = 14.2 (± 0.75) days; hatching weight = 3.8 g (± 1.05) and single imputation: fledging age (genus median) = 15.5 days, longevity (genus median) = 8.6 years. This study contributes novel information regarding evolutionary history and life history characteristics to inform long-term conservation actions for a ‘Critically Endangered’ species.

Using microsatellite loci, we assessed the mating system and genetic diversity of the dioecious tropical tree Genipa americana in a natural population (NP) and a progeny test (PT). For NP, we also estimated the paternity correlation within and among fruits and mean pollen dispersal distance. As expected for dioecious species, all offspring originated from outcrossing (t = 1). Mating among relatives (1 − ts) and paternity correlation (rp) were variable among progenies (1 − ts = 0.03–0.19; rp = 0.04–0.40), but greater in NP than in PT. Fixation index (F) was generally significant and lower in adults than in offspring, indicating selection against inbred individuals. Paternity correlation was higher within (0.40) than among (0.26) fruits, indicating a lower effective number of pollen donors (Nep) within (2.5) than among (3.8) fruits. Due to the higher rp in NP, the effective size within progenies (Ne) was lower (2.69) than PT (3.27). The pollen dispersal pattern was strongly leptokurtic, suggesting long-distance pollen dispersal (mean of 179 m). The results show that both populations can be used for seed collection in environmental reforestation programmes; however, considering that PT is structured in maternal progenies, NP is more suitable for seed collection due to the lower probability of mating among related trees.

Cook’s Petrel Pterodroma cookii is an endemic New Zealand seabird that has experienced a large range decline since the arrival of humans and now only breeds on two offshore islands (Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island and Whenua Hou/Codfish Island) at the extreme ends of its former distribution. Morphological, behavioural, and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) sequence data led a previous study to recognise the two extant populations as distinct conservation management units. Here, we further examine the genetic relationship between the extant populations using two nuclear introns (β-fibint7 and PAX). Using one mitochondrial locus (CO1), we also investigate the past distribution of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that differentiates the modern populations using bone and museum skins sourced from within its former range across New Zealand’s North and South Islands. We found significant population genetic structure between the two extant Cook’s Petrel populations for one of the two nuclear introns (β-fibint7). The mitochondrial DNA CO1 analysis indicated that the SNP variant found in the Codfish Island population was formerly widely distributed across both the North and South Islands, whereas the Little Barrier Island variant was detected only in North Island samples. We argue that these combined data support the recognition of the extant populations as different subspecies. Previous names for these taxa exist, thus Cook’s Petrel from Little Barrier Island becomes Pterodroma cookii cookii and Cook’s Petrel from Codfish Island becomes P. c. orientalis. Furthermore, we suggest that both genetic and non-genetic data should be taken into consideration when planning future mainland translocations. Namely, any translocations on the South Island should be sourced from Codfish Island and future translocations on the North Island should continue to be sourced from Little Barrier Island only.

Genetic data on threatened plant populations can facilitate the development of adequate conservation strategies to reduce extinction risk. Such data are particularly important for species affected by habitat fragmentation such as Magnolia cubensis subsp. acunae, a Critically Endangered magnolia subspecies endemic to Cuba. Using genetic data from 67 individuals, we aimed to evaluate the effect of habitat fragmentation on two subpopulations in the Guamuhaya mountain range, in Topes de Collantes Protected Natural Landscape and Lomas de Banao Ecological Reserve. We characterize the structure and genetic diversity of these subpopulations, with the objective of managing their conservation more effectively. We used Landsat satellite images to determine land-cover types at the two locations and calculated indices of habitat fragmentation. For genetic analyses, we extracted DNA from the leaf tissue of individuals from the two subpopulations and used 11 microsatellite markers to genotype them. We calculated heterozygosity, allelic richness and the F-statistics, to evaluate genetic variability. The montane rainforest in Topes de Collantes was most affected by habitat fragmentation, with smaller patches of more irregular shapes, compared to submontane forest at this location and both montane and submontane forests in Lomas de Banao. Genetic diversity was higher in Topes de Collantes, but we found no genetic differentiation between subpopulations. Our findings suggest the two subpopulations can be considered a single evolutionary unit and conservation entity. We propose to use individuals from both subpopulations for reinforcement to increase the overall genetic diversity of the subspecies.

We developed novel and polymorphic microsatellite primers for Spathoglottis plicata, a tropical and subtropical terrestrial orchid, to investigate the genetic patterns and population structure among wild populations, and also to identify the varieties and hybrids of S. plicata in horticultural industry. The 12 novel microsatellites from S. plicata were developed by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based isolation of microsatellite arrays. These markers that were successfully PCR amplified exhibited polymorphisms in S. plicata. The number of alleles, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity and polymorphism information content values across loci ranged from 2.000 to 8.000, 0.000 to 0.756, 0.208 to 0.813 and 0.405 to 0.805 in total populations, respectively. The newly developed microsatellite markers exhibited variation in S. plicata. These markers can be used as a tool to further investigate the genetic diversity, conservation genetics and variety/hybrid identification of S. plicata.

In this study, we isolate and analyse a new set of microsatellite loci for Cattleya walkeriana. Twenty-two primer pairs were screened for C. walkeriana (n = 32) and assessed for their transferability to Cattleya loddigesii (n = 12) and Cattleya nobilior (n = 06). All loci amplified for C. walkeriana; however, for C. loddigesii and C. nobilior, four and five primers, respectively, did not present amplification. The polymorphic loci presented between 2 and 13 alleles per locus for both C. walkeriana and C. loddigesii, with respective averages of 5.1 and 4.2. For C. nobilior, we found between two and five alleles per locus, with an average of 2.6. For C. walkeriana, observed heterozygosity varied from 0.100 to 0.966, whereas expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.097 to 0.900. The observed and expected heterozygosity for C. loddigesii and C. nobilior were also estimated. We found no significant linkage disequilibrium between any pair of loci, and evidence of null alleles at four loci (Cw16, Cw24, Cw30 and Cw31) for C. walkeriana. The combined power to exclude the first parent and combined non-exclusion probability of identity were 0.999 and 2.3 × 10−20, respectively. These new loci can be used in studies of germplasm resources, and assessments of genotypic and genetic diversity and population structure, thus improving the accuracy of such analyses and their applicability in the conservation and protection of these endangered species.

This case study of the Australian Museum's Thylacine Cloning Project analyzes a frame dispute that emerged during public communication of a scientific project, which lasted from 1999 to 2005, and was premised on the idea of resurrecting an extinct species. In choosing the Tasmanian tiger—an iconic Australian marsupial officially declared extinct in 1986—the promoters of the cloning project ensured extensive media coverage. However, the popular and scientific attention generated by the idea of bringing back an extinct species challenged the Museum's efforts to frame the project in terms of scientific progress. The project repeatedly shifted from science to spectacle, as multiple stakeholders used the mass media to negotiate the scientific feasibility of trying to reverse extinction through the application of advanced biotechnology. The case study findings are relevant both to the emerging social issues surrounding the use of paleogenomics in wildlife conservation, and to the theoretical development of frame analysis as applied to scientific controversies.

Cattleya walkeriana, one of the most improved Brazilian Cattleyas, is a popular tropical orchid endemic from Brazil and currently endangered. In the present study, for the first time microsatellite markers were developed for C. walkeriana and their transferability was tested for the species C. loddigesii and C. nobilior. The markers were used for genotyping 26 C. walkeriana specimens from different growers and from different levels of improvement. The transferability was successful, with five polymorphic loci transferred to C. loddigesii and six polymorphic loci to C. nobilior. Eight loci were polymorphic, revealing a maximum of two to ten alleles per locus in C. walkeriana and two to four and two to five in C. loddigesii and C. nobilior, respectively. There was no significant linkage disequilibrium in the studied loci. For C. walkeriana, the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.963 and from 0.138 to 0.841, respectively. These markers identified polymorphisms and may be used to study the genetic diversity, gene flow or hybridization of these species.

Oligo- and mesotrophic wetlands, such as bogs, fens and swamps, have become more and more restricted in Europe, and wetland species related to them have increasingly been threatened. Due to increasing habitat fragmentation, the exchange of individuals of these species among sites and, as a consequence, gene flow has been reduced or even eliminated. Therefore, we analysed the genetic structure of 11 populations of an endangered stenotopic damselfly, Nehalennia speciosa (Odonata: Coenagrionidae), in Poland and Lithuania by means of allozyme electrophoresis of 14 gene loci. The overall genetic diversity of all populations was low (A: 1.32; H: 2.6%; Ptot: 29.2%), and no significant differences were observed among the different groupings of populations (degree of fragmentation, habitat type and size, population size). The genetic differentiation among populations was also low (FST: 2.0%) and no regional groups were detected. A low degree of isolation by distance was observed for genetic distances. Taking into account these results, the conservation effort for this species should be focused on large local populations and not necessarily on metapopulation structures. Furthermore, N. speciosa could be (re-)introduced in extinct patches and seemingly suitable localities. Genetically, such relocations should be feasible due to the generally high genetic homogeneity of populations.

The genus Limnanthes (Limnanthaceae), also known as meadowfoam, has attracted attention for industrial use due to the unique characteristics of its seed oil. Samples from wild populations showed variability in agronomically important traits involved in seed oil yield, warranting the establishment and continued development of a germplasm collection. The level of genetic diversity within the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System (USDA-ARS-NPGS) Limnanthes collection was evaluated using 15 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers across 62 accessions representing 7 species. Parsimony analysis separated the accessions into two main groups consistent with the traditional taxonomic sections Inflexae and Reflexae, but there was little resolution within groups. These two groups were confirmed using neighbour-joining analysis and principal coordinate analysis. SSR marker variation suggests that the Limnanthes germplasm collection is genetically diverse and the accessions within the species likely contain novel alleles, and therefore the collection contributes to the conservation of the wild Limnanthes gene pool.

Many studies in population ecology have shown that related species have different dispersal behaviours. Species with sedentary and migratory behaviour exist in butterflies. While the genetic responses to population isolation are well studied, the effects of different dispersal behaviours of species are widely unknown. Therefore, we analysed 19 allozyme loci of two lycaenid butterflies, Cupido minimus as a sedentary butterfly and Aricia agestis as a mobile and expansive species. We collected 594 individuals (280 of C. minimus and 314 of A. agestis) in a western German study region with adjacent areas in Luxembourg and northeastern France. The genetic differentiation among populations of A. agestis (FST=3.9%) was lower than in C. minimus (FST=5.6%). Both species built up an isolation-by-distance system, which is more pronounced in A. agestis than in C. minimus. The genetic diversity in C. minumus populations (e.g. Ptot=73.5%) is higher for all analysed parameters than in A. agestis (e.g. Ptot=52.1%). Both species show specific genetic characteristics fitting with their different dispersal behaviours and respective ecological strategies. In the light of conservation genetics, we deduce that highly fragmented populations do not necessarily have a high extinction probability, but this risk depending much more on specific population genetic structures. In the studied species, C. minimus preserves a complex genetic constitution by high population densities. The patchily distributed A. agestis represents less rare alleles, present only in some populations, and holds up genetic diversity by high mobility.

Plant conservation genetics has been hampered by a lack of markers for studies of levels and patterns of variation in rare species. We investigated the levels of variation in several rare and widespread species of the western North American genus Lomatium Raf. (Apiaceae) using two relatively new molecular markers: AFLPs and single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCPs). For each species, approximately 150 AFLP loci have been scored, yielding estimates of species-level percent polymorphic loci in rare species ranging from near zero to over 80%. Levels of AFLP diversity were similar in two of the rare species, L. bradshawii (Rose ex Mathias) Mathas & Constance and L. ochocense Helliwell & Constance, and the widespread species. The third rare species, L. cookii Kagan, which has small populations, has low levels of diversity based on AFLPs. We also examined nucleotide diversity at the single-copy nuclear-DNA locus glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gap-C). PCR-amplified segments were analysed for allelic variation using SSCPs, and intrapopulational nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in both L. bradshawii and L. cookii. In the 211bp segment of Gap-C analysed, five nucleotide sites were segregating within populations of L. bradshawii and two in L. cookii.

Analyses of mitochondrial (mt) DNA control region sequences from 175 leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea from 10 nesting colonies revealed shallow phylogenetic structuring of maternal lineages on a global scale. Eleven haplotypes were observed, and mean estimated sequence divergence, p = 0.00581, is much lower than the deepest nodes reported in global mtDNA surveys of the green turtle Chelonia mydas, loggerhead Caretta caretta, and ridley turtles Lepidochelys spp. The leatherback turtle is the product of an evolutionary trajectory originating at least 100 million years ago, yet the intraspecific phylogeny recorded in mitochondrial lineages may trace back less than 900 000 years. The gene genealogy and global distribution of mtDNA haplotypes indicate that leatherbacks may have radiated from a narrow refugium, possibly in the Indian–Pacific during the early Pleistocene glaciation. Analysis of haplotype frequencies revealed that nesting populations are strongly subdivided globally (FST = 0.415), and within ocean basins (FST = 0.203–0.253), despite the leatherback's highly migratory nature. Within the Atlantic significant differences in haplotype frequency distributions and Nm values < 2 are observed in pairwise comparisons between St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands) and mainland Caribbean populations, and between Trinidad and the same mainland populations. These findings provisionally support the natal homing hypothesis for leatherback turtles, although several proximal nesting populations were indistinguishable, suggesting recent colonization or less precise natal homing behaviour than documented for other marine turtle species. The evidence of natal homing, manifested on ecological time scales, may be erased in some populations by rapid rookery turnover resulting from climatic fluctuation and the ephemeral nature of nesting habitat on a geological time scale. The evolutionary effective population size (Ne) is estimated from mtDNA data to be between 45 000 and 60 000, a value that exceeds current global census estimates of 26 000 to 43 000 adult females.

African wild dogs Lycaon pictus have been extirpated across most of West and central Africa, and greatly depleted in eastern and southern Africa. Given an urgent need for population recovery, especially in West and central Africa, this paper discusses the possibilities for using reintroduction to re-establish wild dog populations. Reintroduction is probably now technically possible, as long as release groups include wildcaught animals; several past attempts failed because captive-reared animals lacked skills needed to survive in the wild. However, reintroduction has only a limited role to play in wild dog conservation. Ideally, it should involve animals of the appropriate local genotype. Limited genetic data indicate that wild dogs from West and central Africa may be distinct from those in eastern and southern Africa. Because there are no wild dogs with West or central African genotypes in captivity, and no wild populations in the region large enough to be harvested for translocation, future reintroductions might have to use animals with non-native genotypes. In addition, there appear to be no suitable sites for wild dog reintroduction in West or central Africa, and few in eastern and southern Africa. Releases currently planned in the Republic of South Africa will be locally valuable, but will not establish a population likely to remain viable without intensive management in perpetuity. For these reasons, protecting remaining wild dog populations currently represents a better investment than any attempt at reintroduction.