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Recent technological advances in the field of genomics offer conservation managers and practitioners new tools to explore for conservation applications. Many of these tools are well developed and used by other life science fields, while others are still in development. Considering these technological possibilities, choosing the right tool(s) from the toolbox is crucial and can pose a challenging task. With this in mind, we strive to inspire, inform and illuminate managers and practitioners on how conservation efforts can benefit from the current genomic and biotechnological revolution. With inspirational case studies we show how new technologies can help resolve some of the main conservation challenges, while also informing how implementable the different technologies are. We here focus specifically on small population management, highlight the potential for genetic rescue, and discuss the opportunities in the field of gene editing to help with adaptation to changing environments. In addition, we delineate potential applications of gene drives for controlling invasive species. We illuminate that the genomic toolbox offers added benefit to conservation efforts, but also comes with limitations for the use of these novel emerging techniques.

The European Roller ( Coracias garrulus ), a long-distance migratory bird, faced a considerable decline in breeding pairs throughout Europe at the end of the 20th century. Due to conservation efforts and the installation of nesting boxes, the population of the European Roller in Serbia has made a remarkable recovery. Here, we used the variability of nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and 10 microsatellite loci to assess the genetic diversity and structuring, phylogeographic patterns and demographic history of this species using 224 individuals from Serbia. Our results showed moderate level of genetic diversity (H O = 0.392) and a slightly elevated level of inbreeding and homozygosity (F IS = 0.393). Genetic structuring based on microsatellite data indicated three genetic clusters, but without a clear spatial pattern. High haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.987) of the mtDNA control region sequences was detected, and neutrality tests indicated a recent demographic expansion. The phylogeographic analysis, which also included previously published sequences of the mtDNA control region, supported the subdivision into two distinct European and Asian haplogroups (Φ ST = 0.712). However, the results of our study showed that a larger number of haplotypes sampled in Serbia are clustered in the Asian haplogroup as compared to previous studies, indicating a historically continuous distribution of this species and possibly a wider distribution of the subspecies Coracias garrulus semenovwi . Our results suggest that the European Roller population in Serbia is genetically stable, with no evidence of recent bottlenecks, and emphasize the importance of artificial nest boxes for promoting and maintaining population dynamics of European Rollers.

The Eumerus triangularis group (Diptera: Syrphidae: Merodontini), which is endemic to the Afrotropical Region, has been thoroughly reviewed. This study identifies nine species within the group, with four of them redescribed: E . rubidus Hull, 1964, E . tessellatus Hull, 1964, E . triangularis Hervé-Bazin, 1913, and E . villeneuvei Hervé-Bazin, 1913 and with the description of four new species – E . argentipedicellus Radenković, Vujić & Grković sp. nov., E . brunnipennis Radenković, Vujić & Grković sp. nov., E . clavicercus Radenković, Vujić & Grković sp. nov., and E . setifemoratus Radenković, Vujić & Grković sp. nov. Furthermore, the previously unknown male of E . rubidus and the female of E . tessellatus are described. This study includes illustrated identification keys for males and females, along with detailed drawings of male terminalia for all nine species. DNA sequences of two regions of the mitochondrial DNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene and cytochrome b, and a region of the nuclear ribosomal 28rRNA gene are used to confirm morphological identification. Both molecular and morphological analyses indicate the presence of two distinct clades within the E . triangularis species group.

Aim We analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Balkans, including individuals from the northern Dinaric Balkans, an area that had not previously been characterized. Our aims were: (1) to reveal the level of genetic diversity and structuring and examine the demographic expansion of wild boar populations in the Balkans and Europe; (2) to examine the role of the Balkan gene pool in the post-LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) recolonization of Europe; and (3) to elucidate the phylogenetic position of European and Balkan wild boar in a Eurasian context by comparing sequences of wild boar worldwide. Location Balkan Peninsula. Methods A fragment of the mtDNA control region (443 bp) was sequenced in 163 wild boar from the Balkans. Phylogenetic analyses, using MrBayes and network, were carried out together with 188 previously published sequences from the Balkan Peninsula. Phylogenetic analyses were also performed with an additional 876 wild boar sequences from around the world. Results Sixteen haplotypes were found in the new samples, including 11 not previously reported in the Balkans. Phylogenetic analyses based on all known Balkan haplotypes indicated the existence of population structuring, revealing two groups: Continental Balkans and South Balkans. The analysis of the complete dataset, comprising 1227 mtDNA sequences from wild boar sampled worldwide, revealed the presence of 168 different haplotypes. All Balkan haplotypes fell into the E1 haplogroup, except one sample that possessed an Asian haplotype. Within the E1 haplogroup, 50% of the haplotypes were unique to the Balkan Peninsula. Main conclusions Wild boar from the Balkans exhibited high genetic diversity. Similar phylogeographical patterns emerge in all southern European peninsulas, arising from post-LGM expansion, and all three peninsulas played a similar role in the post-glacial recolonization of Europe by wild boar. This supports a leading-edge colonization hypothesis for all three peninsulas.

An ongoing study of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) has revealed the existence of new species related to M. melanocerus Bezzi, 1915. The M. melanocerus subgroup belongs to the Afrotropical lineage of the M. desuturinus group. Revision of all available material from museums and detailed analyses of newly -collected specimens from our own expeditions to RSA resulted in delimitation of five species: M. capensis Hurkmans sp. n., M. commutabilis Radenković et Vujić sp. n., M. drakonis Vujić et Radenković sp. n., M. flavocerus Hurkmans sp. n. and M. melanocerus. In addition to classical morphological characters, sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene are provided for four related taxa. Results of molecular phylogenetic analyses supports monophyly of the M. desuturinus group and confirmed delimitation between species. Links between Palaearctic and Afrotropical faunas of this group, as well as possible evolutionary paths, are discussed. Based on phylogenetic analyses, four lineages (putative subgenera) have been recognized within the genus Merodon; besides the three previously established ones, albifrons+desuturinus, aureus (sensu lato) and avidus-nigritarsis, one new lineage named natans is distinguished.

Previous studies in hares and jackrabbits have indicated that positive selection has shaped the genetic diversity of mitochondrial genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, which may affect cellular energy production and cause regional adaptation to different environmental (climatic) pressures. In the present study, we sequenced the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (MT-ND6) gene of 267 brown hares (L. europaeus) from Europe and Asia Minor and tested for positive selection and adaptations acting on amino acid sequences (protein variants). Molecular diversity indices and spatial clustering were assessed by DnaSP, Network, and Geneland, while the presence of selection signals was tested by codeml in PAML, and by using the Datamonkey Adaptive Evolution web server. The SPSS software was used to run multinomial regression models to test for possible effects of climate parameters on the currently obtained protein variants. Fifty-eight haplotypes were revealed with a haplotype diversity of 0.817, coding for 17 different protein variants. The MT-ND6 phylogeographic pattern as determined by the nucleotide sequences followed the earlier found model based on the neutrally evolving D-loop sequences, and reflected the earlier found phylogeographic Late Pleistocene scenario. Based on several selection tests, only one codon position consistently proved to be under positive selection. It did occur exclusively in the evolutionarily younger hares from Europe and it gave rise to several protein variants from the southeastern and south-central Balkans. The occurrence of several of those variants was significantly favored under certain precipitation conditions, as proved by our multinomial regression models. Possibly, the great altitudinal variation in the Balkans may have lead to bigger changes in precipitation across that region and this may have imposed an evolutionarily novel selective pressure on the protein variants and could have led to regional adaptation.

The European Roller (Coracias garrulus), a long-distance migratory bird, faced a considerable decline in breeding pairs throughout Europe at the end of the 20th century. Due to conservation efforts and the installation of nesting boxes, the population of the European Roller in Serbia has made a remarkable recovery. Here, we used the variability of nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and 10 microsatellite loci to assess the genetic diversity and structuring, phylogeographic patterns and demographic history of this species using 224 individuals from Serbia. Our results showed moderate level of genetic diversity (H.sub.O = 0.392) and a slightly elevated level of inbreeding and homozygosity (F.sub.IS = 0.393). Genetic structuring based on microsatellite data indicated three genetic clusters, but without a clear spatial pattern. High haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.987) of the mtDNA control region sequences was detected, and neutrality tests indicated a recent demographic expansion. The phylogeographic analysis, which also included previously published sequences of the mtDNA control region, supported the subdivision into two distinct European and Asian haplogroups ([PHI].sub.ST = 0.712). However, the results of our study showed that a larger number of haplotypes sampled in Serbia are clustered in the Asian haplogroup as compared to previous studies, indicating a historically continuous distribution of this species and possibly a wider distribution of the subspecies Coracias garrulus semenovwi. Our results suggest that the European Roller population in Serbia is genetically stable, with no evidence of recent bottlenecks, and emphasize the importance of artificial nest boxes for promoting and maintaining population dynamics of European Rollers.

The Eumerus triangularis group (Diptera: Syrphidae: Merodontini), which is endemic to the Afrotropical Region, has been thoroughly reviewed. This study identifies nine species within the group, with four of them redescribed: E. rubidus Hull, 1964, E. tessellatus Hull, 1964, E. triangularis Hervé-Bazin, 1913, and E. villeneuvei Hervé-Bazin, 1913 and with the description of four new species - E. argentipedicellus Radenkovic, Vujic & Grkovic sp. nov., E. brunnipennis Radenkovic, Vujic & Grkovic sp. nov., E. clavicercus Radenkovic, Vujic & Grkovic sp. nov., and E. setifemoratus Radenkovic, Vujic & Grkovic sp. nov. Furthermore, the previously unknown male of E. rubidus and the female of E. tessellatus are described. This study includes illustrated identification keys for males and females, along with detailed drawings of male terminalia for all nine species. DNA sequences of two regions of the mitochondrial DNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene and cytochrome b, and a region of the nuclear ribosomal 28rRNA gene are used to confirm morphological identification. Both molecular and morphological analyses indicate the presence of two distinct clades within the E. triangularis species group.

In wild boar, Sus scrofa, from Europe, domestic pig-typical ancestry is traced at varying levels. We hypothesised wild boar with pig-typical gene pool characteristics, i.e., “introgression”, congregate more in peri-urban habitats, because of less shyness and better adaptation to anthropogenic stress. We used 16 microsatellites to study introgression levels of 375 wild boar from peri-urban Vienna, Austria, and rural regions in comparison to commercial slaughter pigs, Mangaliza, and Turopolje pigs. We also expected more introgression in locations of warmer climates and lower precipitation. Despite discrimination of wild boar and pigs with 99.73% and 97.87% probability, respectively, all wild boars exhibited pig-typical gene pool characteristics, mostly at a very low level. Recent hybridisation was suspected in only 0.53% of wild boar, corresponding to the current largely indoor pig breeding/rearing in the region, with no chance of natural gene exchange between pigs and wild boar. Rather, pig ancestry in wild boar stems from incomplete gene pool differentiation during domestication and/or historical introgressions, when free-ranging pig farming was common. Individual introgression levels were lower in wild boar from peri-urban habitats, possibly reflecting the largely historical absence of pig farms there. Moreover, a marginal precipitation effect, but no temperature effect on introgression was observed. The latter, however, needs to be explored further by a more comprehensive data set.

The genus Merodon Meigen (Diptera: Syrphidae) is one of the most species-rich hoverfly genera distributed across the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions. In the Palaearctic, the genus Merodon boasts 195 described species, while its Afrotropical region pales in comparison, with a mere 17 species documented thus far. As a result of 8 years of fieldwork conducted in the Republic of South Africa, in this paper, we present the description of 11 new species for science with a description of immature stages for 2 species, which increases the diversity of this genus in the Afrotropical region by remarkable 39%. These revelations are based on integrating morphology, molecular analysis (COI gene and 28S rRNA) and geometric morphometry. All described species belong to the Merodon planifacies subgroup, the Merodon desuturinus lineage and, within that, to the Afrotropical Merodon melanocerus group. Additionally, we provide an illustrated key to 15 species belonging to the subgroup, a detailed discussion on relevant taxonomic characters, a morphological diagnosis, a distribution map and clarification of the association between M. capi complex and host plants from the genus Merwilla.