Koala conservation in Queensland, Australia: A role for assisted gene flow for genetic rescue?

Seddon, J. M., and Schultz, B. (2020) Koala conservation in Queensland, Australia: A role for assisted gene flow for genetic rescue? In: Ortega, Jorge, and Maldonado, Jesus E., (eds.) Conservation Genetics in Mammals: Integrative Research Using Novel Approaches. Springer, Cham, Switzerland, pp. 331-349.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33334-...
 
9
1


Abstract

The koala is an iconic Australian marsupial that is facing declining populations through habitat loss, disease and predation. Genetic diversity is expected to decline in small, isolated populations, and this is already evident in some restricted koala populations. Gene flow among patches is essential to maintain genetic diversity, and while this can be achieved through habitat connectivity and reduction of threats, a more active approach of assisted gene flow can be considered. Here, the koala population is evaluated for its readiness to undergo purposeful movement of koalas in the processes of genetic rescue and genetic restoration. There is limited data on the fitness consequences of low genetic diversity or hybridisation in koalas, and no known adaptive alleles. However, the adaptability of the koala to captive conditions might assist a living genome bank approach.

Item ID: 78722
Item Type: Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN: 9783030333348
Keywords: Genetic rescue, Genetic restoration, Inbreeding, Koala, Living genome bank, Metapopulation
Copyright Information: © Smithsonian Institution 2020.
Date Deposited: 28 Mar 2025 03:51
FoR Codes: 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310308 Terrestrial ecology @ 50%
31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3105 Genetics > 310509 Genomics @ 50%
SEO Codes: 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1806 Terrestrial systems and management > 180606 Terrestrial biodiversity @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 1
Last 12 Months: 1
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page