Genomic-Guided Conservation Actions to Restore the Most Endangered Conifer in the Mediterranean Basin.

ABSTRACT: Species with extremely small population sizes are critically endangered because of reduced genetic diversity, increased inbreeding and hybridisation threats. Genomic tools significantly advance conservation by revealing genetic insights into endangered species, notably in monitoring frameworks. Sicilian fir (Abies nebrodensis) is the most endangered conifer in Europe with only 30 adult trees in an 84-ha area. Using 20,824 SNPs from RAD-seq, employing genome assembly and a custom 120 SNP-array, we evaluated genetic diversity, mating patterns, and effective population size in adult trees, 118 natural seedlings, and 2064 nursery seedlings from past conservation actions. We assessed introgression from neighbouring non-native fir plantations (~6%) and established an intra-population assisted ge

SUBMITTER: Del Valle JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12684301 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature