Genomic Consequences of Population Decline in the Endangered Florida Scrub-Jay.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the population genetic consequences of declining population size is important for conserving the many species worldwide facing severe decline [1]. Thorough empirical studies on the impacts of population reduction at a genome-wide scale in the wild are scarce because they demand huge field and laboratory investments [1, 2]. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of gene flow in introducing genetic variation to small populations [3], but few have documented both genetic and fitness consequences of decreased immigration through time in a natural population [4-6]. Here we assess temporal variation in gene flow, inbreeding, and fitness using longitudinal genomic, demographic, and phenotypic data from a long-studied population of federally Threatened Florida scrub-jays (

SUBMITTER: Chen N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5102777 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature