Genetic rescue remains underused for aiding recovery of federally listed vertebrates in the United States.

ABSTRACT: Restoring gene flow among fragmented populations is discussed as a potentially powerful management strategy that could reduce inbreeding depression and cause genetic rescue. Yet, examples of assisted migration for genetic rescue remain sparse in conservation, prompting several outspoken calls for its increased use in genetic management of fragmented populations. We set out to evaluate the extent to which this strategy is underused and to determine how many imperiled species would realistically stand to benefit from genetic rescue, focusing on federally threatened or endangered vertebrate species in the United States. We developed a "genetic rescue suitability index (GR index)" based on concerns about small population problems relative to risks associated with outbreeding depression and sur

SUBMITTER: Fitzpatrick SW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10287150 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature