#RSOS in @theguardian.com | First evidence of bidirectional exchange between distant humpback whale breeding populations in eastern Australia and Brazil: doi.org/10.1098/rsos...
www.theguardian.com
Whale first photographed off the coast of Brazil in 2003 spotted off north-east Australia in September 2025
For biodiversity indicators to influence decisions, we need to trust them - and to trust them, we need to test them.
Happy to share our new paper about how to do that (for genetic diversity) with @seanmhoban.bsky.social & @laura-pollock.bsky.social 😊
📝 doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2026.111824
more on the importance of genetic diversity and how it can translate into policy and management - #consgen
Scientists have developed a new tool that makes bird genomes faster and easier to assemble — including tiny pieces of DNA that are usually missed. 🐦⬛
The new tool, known as MicroFinder, could help improve research into bird evolution, biodiversity and conservation. 👇
http://bit.ly/4wG023C
New DNA evidence shows dingoes are almost 90% pure – and fall into eight distinct groups 🧬 🐕
Write up based on our new research doi.org/10.1111/con4... in @consletters.bsky.social #popgen #consgen
Our new paper doi.org/10.1098/rspb... on long-term genetic threats to small populations finds that "mutational meltdown" (bad mutations fixing) is less of a problem than "mutational drought" (too few good new mutations) @wmawass.bsky.social @uliseshmc.bsky.social @jeremyjberg.bsky.social 1/5
Royal Society Publishing
Katherine Hébert
Genome‐Wide Homozygosity Predicts Inbreeding Depression in the Hihi/Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) Better Than Realised Load
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Ancient and modern dingo DNA reveals eight genetically distinct groups of dingoes – and the limited influence of domestic dog genes.
Great to see this study by @sam-deakin.bsky.social and Anita Michalak published in Evolutionary Applications. Using genomic data from >750 caribou and hierarchical structure analyses, we show that genetic clusters do not align with current conservation units in western Canada doi.org/10.1111/eva....
MicroFinder can be used to assemble bird genomes much quicker and more accurately than ever before.
Pangolin museum genomics reveal the dynamic genetic consequences and extinction risk of the critically endangered Chinese pangolin
academic.oup.com/mbe/article/...
Abstract. Habitat loss contributes to extinction risk in multiple ways. Genetically, small populations can face an ‘extinction vortex’—a positive feedback
Population declines result in increasingly small populations, which often experience an increase in inbreeding. Inbreeding may be negatively associated with fitness traits like survival and reproduct...
we are live now #consgen , an overview on the different projects the Conservation Genetics Specialist Group is involved can be found on our new website - check it out #IUCN #SSC
Abstract. Human-driven biodiversity loss, intensified by illegal hunting and trafficking, has caused severe wildlife population declines and extinctions, n
academic.oup.com
Laura Bertola
Laura Bertola
Joanna Masel
Jocelyn Poissant
Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (IUCN)
Genetic Diversity is important! And we need to monitor it to stop further loss. This should be done at local and international scale in policy and management. If you want to read more - read this review, led by the amazing Australian dream team:
#consgen 🦤
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
The loss of genetic diversity is a major threat to population resilience, posing a challenge for conservation efforts. This Review highlights how the integration of large-scale biodiversity monitoring...
