Researchers from Oviedo and Vigo universities have developed a new method that uses the DNA of current individuals to accurately rebuild the population history of a species.
Researchers from the universities of Oviedo and Vigo have shown that DNA is able to tell the history of the survival of a species and, using samples of contemporary individuals, have accurately managed to reconstruct their past population.
This discovery will be very useful for the Analysis and Management of Conservation Programs of populations of threatened or endangered species, as well as to study the effects of over-exploration, destruction of habitats and climate change, highlighted on Thursday the cited by
The results of the study will therefore be useful for guide conservation programs, manage wild or exploited populations e Evaluate the effects of human activity and global changes on the genetic viability of species.
The study, led by Enrique SantiagoProfessor at the Department of Functional Biology at the University of Oviedo, has developed new computational tools that allow REvelar in detail the recent demographic history of the populations and its degree of connection or differentiation with other related populations.
So far, the available methods have only been suitable for Completely isolated populationswithout genetic exchange with others — something unusual in nature, except in exceptional cases, such as captive populations or very remote islands, according to the study’s authors.
Developed new mathematical model
To overcome this limitation, the team developed a new mathematical model that calculates population size Contemporary staff of one species and its structure, and another that reconstructs the historical population size up to about 150 generations, based on the DNA analysis of current individuals.
According to Santiago, the estimates obtained with these tools “They are crucial to determine the state of conservation of threatened or exploited populations and species, and to elaborate recovery strategies.”
With this new approach, it is possible to obtain an effective size estimates “much more accurate than before, providing valuable support for biodiversity conservation”, He added.
Junta Investigation Universities of Oviedo and Vigo
Armando Caballeroteacher of explained that the consensus among the scientific community is that a minimum effective size of 500 individuals is required “to avoid extinction by genetic causes”but today it is known that Many populations are below this critical limit.
The team validated their tools through simulations and with actual data from different species, including Orcas, gorillas, deer, horses, flour flies and fish of natural populations (salmon) or nursery, such as the preached, the golden and the bass.
