Population Genetics and Management of Exploited Populations
Summary:
We are currently facing a worldwide collapse of many commercial and sport fishery stocks. Many hunted wildlife are also suffering from reductions in population size and isolation as a result of habitat destruction and overharvest. In addition, rapid genetic adaptation in response to selective harvest (e.g. of individuals with a large body or horns) recently has been recognized as an important problem in exploited populations.
We work to achieve a broad dissemination of an understanding of the application of evolution and genetics to an important problem faced by society. It is currently impossible to predict either the susceptibility of fish stocks to collapse or their ability to recover from collapse. It is also difficult to quantify the extent of the negative impact of hatcheries on wild fish populations. Understanding the evolutionary response of populations to exploitation and stocking is crucial in order to predict the effects of management actions and to develop management plans that will allow sustainable exploitation in the long-term. Such work is especially urgent in light of increasing challenges to populations such as global climate change, emerging diseases, and invasive species.
Publications:
- Allendorf, F.W. and G. Luikart. 2007. Conservation and the Genetics of Populations. Wiley-Blackwell. Pp. 642. [Second Edition commissioned for submission in summer 2011.]
- Allendorf, F.W., P. Hohenlohe, G. Luikart. 2010. Genomics and the future of conservation. Invited Review, Nature Reviews Genetics. 11:697-709.
- Allendorf F.W., P.R. England, G. Luikart, G.A. Ritchie, N. Ryman. 2008. Genetic effects of harvest on wild animal populations. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 23:327-337.
- Gebremedhin, B., G.F. Ficetola, S. Naderi, H.-R. Rezaei, C. Maudet, D. Rioux, G. Luikart, Ø. Flagstad, W. Thuiller, and P. Taberlet. 2009. Frontiers in identifying conservation units: from neutral markers to adaptive genetic variation. Invited commentary, Animal Conservation. 12:107-109.
- Luikart, G., W. Sherwin, B. Steele, and F.W. Allendorf. 1998. Usefulness of molecular markers for detecting population bottlenecks via monitoring genetic change. Molecular Ecology, 7:963-974.
- Manel S., P. Berthier, and G. Luikart. 2002. Detecting wildlife poaching: identifying the origin of individuals using Bayesian assignment tests and multi-locus genotypes. Conservation Biology, 16:650-657.
- Maudet, C., C. Miller, B. Bassano, C. Breitenmoser-Würsten, D. Gauthier, G. Obexer-Ruff, J. Michallet, P. Taberlet, and G. Luikart. 2002. Recent statistical genetic methods in wildlife conservation: applications in alpine ibex (Capra ibex [ibex]). Molecular Ecology, 11:421-436.
- Schwartz, M.K., G. Luikart, and R.S. Waples. 2007. Genetic Monitoring as a promising tool for conservation and management. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 22:25-33. Taberlet P., L. Waits, and G. Luikart. 1999. Non-invasive genetic sampling: look before you leap. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 14:323-327.