Steve R. Palumbi

Steve R. Palumbi

Abstract

The Value of Genetics in Conservation Biology: Past Success and Future Trajectories

Molecular genetics is most powerful in population and conservation biology when it provides information not available using other approaches, or when it complements information from other sources. So far, genetics has informed conservation efforts in several key ways. Population structure and reductions of genetic diversity in small populations have been a common focus of genetic studies, but these do not necessarily provide the most influential conclusions. This is partly because population genetics frequently focuses on gene flow over evolutionary time scales, which are too long for most managers to accommodate, and because there is no simple relationship between genetic diversity and population fitness in the wild. Other aspects of conservation genetics for future efforts include: 1) delineation of cryptic species, 2) identifying exploitation of protected populations and species using forensic approaches, 3) genetic databasing and identification of individuals and genealogies in wild populations, 4) elucidation of historical population sizes and recent demographic histories of threatened populations, 5) understanding the nature of local adaptation and species boundaries, and 6) using high resolution genetic structure to measure dispersal over ecological time frames. These are achievable given current genetic technology, and should be more and more feasible as the ability to collect large population-level genetic data sets increases .

Biography

Stephen R. Palumbi is a professor of biology at Harvard University and curator of marine invertebrates at the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Research has centered on using molecular genetic tools to understand the evolution, population biology and conservation of marine species. Focusing on the molecular evolution of genes deeply involved in speciation, we showed that gamete recognition proteins evolve rapidly by positive selection, generating reproductive isolation quickly even between large populations. Recent work shows similar patterns in genes involved in ecological diversification. We discovered that among the fastest evolving genes are conotoxins used by predatory cone snails to subdue active fish, mollusc and worm prey, and that these diet-switching genes evolve by rapid gene duplications and positive selection. In more applied, policy settings, we developed genetic approaches to identification of illegal whale meat in retail markets.

Relevant Publications

Baker, C.S. and S. R. Palumbi. Which whales are hunted? Molecular genetic evidence for illegal whaling. Science 265:1538-1539.

Cipriano, F. and S. R. Palumbi. 1999. Genetic tracking of a protected whale. Nature 397:307-308 t.

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