Chapter 11. Chapter 11: Preserving Biodiversity

What is conservation genetics and how can it contribute to the conservation of species?

Why You Should Care

Conservation biologists have long used technical advances to aid them in preserving species: Radio tracking to study the migration patterns of endangered animals is often portrayed in nature documentaries. A powerful tool that has advanced dramatically in the past two decades is conservation genetics. Conservation biologists are now using the same sort of tools as forensic scientists, such as using DNA to place suspects at crime scenes. DNA sequences in animal products can be compared with a database of sequences to identify the species of the animals from which they were made. Whereas some genes are useful for distinguishing species from each other, others can be used to identify populations within a species. Thus, the geographic origin of contraband pelts or ivory can be determined readily and used as evidence for sanctions against CITES violators. Genetic analysis can also be used to tell whether a population of rare animals is dangerously inbred.

Recently, two high school students in the United States used a kind of genetic analysis called DNA barcoding to uncover, among other things, the harvesting of an IUCN-listed endangered species in a scandal that came to be known as “Sushigate.” Whereas microsatellites can be used to distinguish individuals of the same species from different populations, DNA barcoding is typically used to identify species. An advantage of the technique is that it is relatively easy to learn and carry out by people with little previous experience, making it perfect for student projects. For an independent project, the two students decided to barcode sushi from their neighborhood restaurants to see if the fish species listed on the menu were actually what was being served to patrons. The students found that around a quarter of the fish were mislabeled, and, in at least one case, farm-raised freshwater fish was being sold as a premium species of ocean fish. More alarmingly, a piece of sushi sold as “Red Snapper” was actually Acadian redfish, which, because of its low reproductive rates, is sensitive to overfishing and has become endangered. More recent genetic investigations of fish sold in New York City grocery stores and fish markets has similar findings. So, not only are there uses for conservation genetics close to home, but some of the available tools could easily be used by people like you.