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\"Describes the cause and effect of deformed frogs in the wild\"--Provided by publisher.

Background Vernicia montana and V . fordii are economically important woody oil species in the Euphorbiaceae that have great industrial oil and ornamental greening properties, however, the wild resources of Vernicia trees have been reduced because of their habitat destruction. Considering the diverse economic and ecological importance of Vernicia species, it is important to collect more molecular data to determine the genetic differences between V. montana and V. fordii . Results We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete chloroplast (CP) genome of two tung trees based on the genome skimming approach. The whole CP genomes of V. montana and V. fordii were 163,518 bp and 161,495 bp in length, both including a pair of inverted repeats separated by a large single-copy and a small single-copy region. We detected a total number of 311 tandem repeats, 100 dispersed repeats, and 255 simple repeats from V. montana and V. fordii CP genomes. The mean value of nucleotide diversity between the two species was 0.0122, and the average Ka/Ks ratio across all coding genes was 0.3483. Comparative chloroplast genome analysis showed that the coding regions were more conserved than the non-coding regions. The phylogenetic relationships yielded by the complete genome sequences showed that V. montana was closely related to V. fordii and is considered as a sister group. Conclusions We sequenced, assembled, annotated, and analyzed the CP genome of two tung trees, which will be useful in investigating the conservation genetics and potential breeding applications of this oil shrub.

\"In this addition to the critically acclaimed Scientist in the Field series, Dorothy Patent follows the scientists trying to put a stop to a gruesome disease before it's too late. Tasmanian devils are dying at an alarming rate from a type of tumor that appears to be contagious. What scientists are learning while researching the Tasmanian devil has potential to affect all animals, and even humans, as they learn more about how to prevent and hopefully eradicate certain genetic diseases.\"-- Provided by publisher.

Knowledge of the genetic structure and cryptic diversity is essential for the conservation of endangered species. We conducted a genetic survey of the federally endangered Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus) sampled from its USA range in southern Florida. Florida bonneted bats are primarily found in four regions separated by approximately 100 to 250 km, including three western natural areas: Babcock Webb WMA (BW), Polk County (PC), and Collier County (CC) and one urban population on the east coast, Miami-Dade County (MD). We used 22 microsatellite loci and cytochrome b sequences to assess the extent of connectivity and levels of genetic diversity. Populations were highly differentiated at microsatellite loci (overall FST = 0.178) and model-based and ordination analyses showed that MD was the most distinct among pairwise comparisons. Regional populations were small (Ne < 100) with no evidence of inbreeding. Contemporary migration and historic gene flow suggested that regional populations have not frequently exchanged migrants, and thus the divergence among western regions was likely a result of genetic drift. Significantly, mitochondrial DNA revealed that haplotypes from MD were similar or shared with those recognized as Eumops ferox from Cuba and Jamaica, and divergent (1.5%) from the remainder of bonneted bats in Florida. Our data support the management of each of the four populations as distinct population segments, and that BW, PC and CC combined are on an independent evolutionary trajectory from bats in MD. Bonneted bats in Florida appear to harbor cryptic diversity that will require a reassessment of their taxonomy.

Genetic diversity is the foundation of biodiversity, and preserving it is therefore fundamental to conservation practice. However, global conservation efforts face significant challenges integrating genetic and genomic approaches into applied management and policy. As collaborative partnerships are increasingly recognized as key components of successful conservation efforts, we explore their role and relevance in the Australian context, by engaging with key entities from across the conservation sector, including academia, botanic gardens, herbaria, seed banks, governmental/non-governmental organisations, private industry, museums, Traditional Owners, Indigenous rangers, and zoos and aquaria. By combining perspectives from these entities with comprehensive literature review, we identified five guiding principles for conservation genetic and genomic research and explored the different elements of, and approaches to, collaboration. Our reflections suggest that there is a substantial overlap in research interests across the Australian conservation sector, and our findings show that collaboration is increasing. We discuss approaches to building collaborative partnerships, the reciprocal benefits of collaborating, and some remaining challenges associated with data generation, data collection, and cross-cultural considerations. We emphasise the need for long-term national resourcing for sample and data storage and consistency in collecting, generating and reporting genetic data. While informed by the Australian experience, our goal is to support researchers and practitioners to foster meaningful collaborations that achieve measurable management outcomes in conservation genetics and genomics, both in Australia and globally.

Abstract Endopleura uchi is a valuable tree species with significant nutraceutical potential and extensive applications. However, there is a lack of information regarding genetic parameters and the characterization of phenotypic variability that could be applied to the conservation and genetic improvement of this species. In this study, we estimated genetic parameters and quantified genetic variability based on the physical characteristics of fruits and pyrenes of E. uchi genotypes from a native population in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon. We collected 1,636 mature fruits from 13 genotypes and characterized them in terms of biometric measurements, volume, and fresh mass of both fruits and pyrenes. Additionally, we quantified the pulp yield from the fruit. Genetic analyses were conducted using the SELEGEN REML/BLUP software, model 81, and clustering analysis was performed using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). We also utilized a genotype selection index. We observed significant phenotypic variability within the population. Heritability coefficients ranged from 0.16 to 0.44 for the analyzed traits, with environmental variance exceeding genotypic variance. A strong negative correlation (-0.80) was found between pulp yield and fruit diameter. The results suggest the need for conservation and genetic improvement of the species. Additionally, we suggest the selection of key genotypes to boost the Amazonian bioeconomy, such as higher pulp yield, resulting in positive impacts on a regional or local scale, with greater income and social well-being. Resumo Endopleura uchi é uma árvore com frutos de elevado valor nutracêutico, com amplo potencial de uso. No entanto, não há informações sobre parâmetros genéticos e caracterização da variabilidade fenotípica que possam ser aplicadas a conservação e ao melhoramento genético desta espécie. Aqui, estimamos os parâmetros genéticos e quantificamos a variabilidade genética baseado em características físicas dos frutos e pirênios de genótipos de E. uchi em uma população nativa da Amazônia Oriental brasileira. Coletamos 1636 frutos maduros de 13 genótipos, os quais foram caracterizados quanto a biometria, volume e massa fresca dos frutos e pirênios. Por último, quantificamos o rendimento de polpa dos frutos. O software Selegen REML/BLUP, modelo 81, foi utilizado para análises genéticas, e a análise de agrupamento foi realizada pelo método de grupos de pares não ponderados com média aritmética. Também foi utilizado um índice de seleção de genótipos. Observou-se que a espécie apresenta ampla variabilidade fenotípica dentro da população. Os coeficientes de herdabilidade variaram de 0,16 a 0,44 para as características analisadas, com a variância ambiental superior à genotípica. Constatou-se forte correlação negativa (-0,80) entre o rendimento de polpa e o diâmetro dos frutos. Os resultados sugerem a necessidade de conservação e melhoramento genético da espécie. Além disso, sugerimos a seleção de genótipos-chave para impulsionar a bioeconomia amazônica, como maior rendimento de polpa, resultando em impactos positivos em escala regional ou local, com maior obtenção de renda e bem-estar social.

This study describes efforts to define and protect traditional knowledge and the associated issues of access to genetic resources, from the negotiation of the Convention on Biological Diveristy through to the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Nagoya Protocol.

Perceptions related to the importance of genetic research influence the mobilization of genetic tools and concepts to inform conservation actions. Research characteristics, stakeholders’ perspectives, knowledge, and social linkages with geneticists influence the outcome of genetic information for management practices. We surveyed a broad range of aquatic invasive species (AIS) specialists whose opinions, perspectives, and decisions influence AIS decision-making. We assessed perceptions related to the importance of genetic tools and concepts, as well as the appropriateness of genetic biocontrol, and tested whether their expertise, background, and experience influenced perceptions in a predictable way. While perceptions towards genetic tools and concepts were generally heterogeneous, there was a high consensus (84%) related to the importance of eDNA. Most predictors were weakly correlated with importance ratings. Specialists’ genetic knowledge was the strongest predictor of higher importance ratings: the odds of AIS specialists giving higher ratings increased by up to 1.5-fold with increasing genetic knowledge. When evaluating the appropriateness of genetic biocontrol, level of support was lower for approaches based on gene editing (58%) than those relying on traditional hatchery techniques (70%). Support for gene editing varied by geographic location and with specialists’ knowledge of genetics and AIS management. These findings suggest that perceptions towards genetic research vary between genetic tools and concepts and are shaped by the interplay of individual’s values, expertise, experience, and background. To collaborate more effectively, genetic scientists must understand the extent of genetic knowledge of their AIS management partners and recognize that their conceptions of the conservation genetics research-practice space may vary.