Extinction Solution for Thousands of Species Thanks to Gene Editing

 

        

       Ethical genome engineering has been making exceptional progress in the stride to rehabilitate endangered species and their compromised ecosystems.  Professor Cock Van Oosterhout and Dr. Stephen Turner's team of geneticists and bio-technologists claim recovery of lost genetic diversity in endangered species can be restored with the help of historic DNA samples. Van Oosterhout states "Gene engineering provides a way to restore that variation, whether it's reintroducing DNA variation that has been lost from immune-system genes that we can retrieve from museum specimens or borrowing climate-tolerance genes from closely related species". This statement suggests that by figuring out what gene is compromising a species, such as lack of climate change tolerance, scientists can extract a wanted gene from a relative species and introduce this to the compromised species. 

    One example of this successful application is the restoration of the once critically endangered pink pigeon (pictured below). This species was down to 10 known birds and brought back up to over 600, thanks to three key methods: restoration of variation that was once lost, facilitating adaptation, and reducing the passing of harmful mutations to following generations. 

    

Figure 1: newborn genetically altered pink pigeon 

    Some risks factors of this method include unintentional genetic modifications and reductions, therefore until percent error is mitigated, this approach remains experimental. 

    This method of attempting to help endangered species seems simple, yet practical. By introducing new technologies with what scientists already know about the species and their ancestors,  solutions can be suggested and practical applications can be made. Although gene alteration is not a replacement to species protection,  this is a hopeful positive step in the rehabilitation of many organisms, and perhaps one day the term "extinction" will be endangered. 

Sources

https://phys.org/news/2025-07-gene-solution-endangered-species.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250720034017.htm 

New Method of Identifying Endangered Species

    A comparison of genetic coding between 240 mammals was used to publish 12 papers. One of those papers aimed to evaluate extinction risk in placental mammals. By looking through the genomes of individual specimens it is possible to find genes that may cause afflictions or evidence of consanguineous mating. In the absence of data on habitat or population, genome data that shows genetic variations would suggest little inbreeding and a healthy population, should there also be no afflictions. This style of risk assessment helped researchers determine that the Upper Galilee Mountains blind mole rat has a healthy population despite having little data on population or habitat. In contrast, genomic information from Orcas shows some consanguineous mating, which would suggest they could be more susceptible to extinction. Population data further supports the notion that Orca whale populations are endangered.

The implications of using genomic information to identify species at risk of extinction are numerous. The ability to quickly and inexpensively identify endangered organisms would mean less time would be wasted surveying populations to determine if a species is even threatened, giving an earlier start for conservation efforts saving time to save species. Additionally, this method is relatively cheap, which would mean more money could be put into protecting the species.

https://www.hhmi.org/news/comparing-genes-240-mammal-species-and-one-famous-dog-offers-new-insights-biology-evolutionary

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn5856

https://apnews.com/article/zoonomia-project-genetics-animals-f80d1570acf5a97a8ed9e2a1104e74e9

Galapagos and California Sea Lion Speciation

 

        Galapagos Sea lions are currently an endangered species native to the Galapagos islands. Galapagos sea lions are a member of the pinniped family and face threats such as plastic populations, habitat loss and change, and human activity. When it comes to the conservation of marine mammals, their genetic information is crucial to better understand their ecology and how to protect their populations. In 2007 researchers dove into the genetic composition of Galapagos Sea lions and California Sea Lions to determine if the two were distinct species. Through the analysis of mitochondrial DNA and phylogenetic reconstruction, they determined that the common ancestor of Galapagos Sea Lions and California Sea Lions existed 2.3 ± 0.5 mya. Additionally, they discovered that gene diversity is 14% lower in Galapagos Sea Lion populations.

         The reduced genetic diversity in Galapagos Sea Lions has large implications when it comes to species conservation. When the article was published the species was listed as threatened and as of 2023, the population is listed as endangered. For the population to be able to recover sustainably, the reduced genetic diversity should be taken into consideration. To properly conserve the population in the future, any breeding efforts should be carefully orchestrated to ensure the best genetic diversity possible. 

New Genetic Clues Could be Key to Saving Sea Turtles from Mysterious Disease

According to an article published in University of Central Florida Today, a group of UCF researchers discovered new gene variants in the immune systems of sea turtles, which could be the key to saving this species from another major disease: fibropapillomatosis (FP). This study was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science and sheds a light on the role of gene variants (MHC class I alleles) in protecting sea turtles from this disease.

This is the first time researchers have studied variation in MHC genes in green sea turtles. MHC proteins help recognize pathogenic threats and then key the immune system to respond to them. FP causes sea turtles to develop tumors on their bodies, which inhibits their mobility and ability to catch prey.

About half of the green sea turtles observed in the Indian River Lagoon have FP. Central Florida’s Atlantic coastline hosts about one-third of all green sea turtle nests in the state. Green sea turtles are important because they contribute to healthy oceans by grazing and maintaining seagrass beds. All turtles are considered threatened or endangered due to threats from pollution, coastal development, and fishing, in addition to infectious diseases.

A better understanding of the role genes play in protecting sea turtles can help inform management strategies, such as captive breeding using turtles who are genetically resistant to FP, as stated by UCF Associate Professor of Biology Anna Savage. Simply knowing a baseline of how much variation is out there can help give researchers a better idea of what sea turtle populations will look like in the future. Knowing the relationships between genetic variants and disease susceptibility can be used as a tool if one knows which of the MHC alleles is really important for surviving disease threats.

The lead author of the study, Katherine Martin, helped sequence MHC class I genes from 268 green sea turtles and 88 loggerhead sea turtles. The researchers found 116 newly-discovered alleles, some of which were linked to the development of FP but also potentially the regression of tumors. Even with all of these alleles discovered, however, there needs to be more sampling to get a better picture of what MHC alleles do to protect sea turtles. The next step of the experiment is to expand the sampling of green sea turtles and loggerheads as well as examine genetic information from other turtle species.

Related article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16181327/

Baby whale genetic testing may help save species, study says

In an article posted by ABC News, a team of scientists led by researchers at the New England Aquarium in Boston studied critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The scientists analyzed decades of data about the whales and found that they had more success tracking the animals’ survival, growth rates, and life histories when they had access to genetic samples. The results of this study were published in Mammalian Biology.

The scientists focused on 13 right whale calves identified via genetics and were able to determine the ages of 12 of the whales and match 11 with their mothers. They even found that four believed to be dead were actually still alive. Right whales have been historically tracked using photo ID. According to Philip Hamilton, the senior scientist at the aquarium, the photographic archive is still important but it is even more helpful when used alongside genetic data.

Right whales were once abundant off the East Coast but their populations were decimated during the commercial whaling era. The whales are now vulnerable to ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Climate change is also a new danger that has been forcing whales to flee coastal areas in search of food, which puts them at risk to the other dangers previously mentioned.

A greater reliance on genetic data can help fill in the gaps about these whales. Relying on genetics in addition to photo or acoustic data adds another layer of complexity that can help scientists further understand this very endangered and complex species. The researchers learned that it’s possible for mother right whales to be seen without their calves in feeding grounds for short periods. Previously, calves were assumed to be dead if their mothers were alone on feeding grounds during the birth year, according to the study.

Samples used in the biopsy were sent to Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for genetic analysis. According to Timothy Fraiser, a biology professor at the university who was involved in the research, integrating the genetic samples with field research yields data that is more comprehensive than the sum of its parts. This leads to a much richer understanding of right whales than either approach could provide on its own.

Related article: https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/florida-north-atlantic-right-whales-fight-for-survival/

DNA Amplification Used for Conservation

There is an expansive range of wildlife conservation methods around the world, with specific techniques employed in different habitats. Sometimes the methods used depends on the target species. However, when the animal is elusive or increasingly hard to find due to overexploited populations, scientists find themselves innovating even more techniques to monitor threatened and endangered species. This can be seen through the new method of amplifying DNA from degraded or contaminated genetic samples. Researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research lead a study which acquired small amounts of such DNA from unconventional sources. The scientists were able to successfully amplify tiny amounts of DNA from tiger feces, as well as the whiskers and saliva found on their prey. Other instances of such methods being used are more and more prevalent. One example of this was when the location of an endangered eel species was identified with just one liter of water from different areas from a Japanese river. By utilizing the DNA left behind by these animals in their surroundings, conservationists can glean valuable information such as their location, the population's genetic diversity- thereby leading to more effective management initiatives. 

CSI Meets Conservation Biology

According to a Science Daily article  Stanford University has found a way to protect endangered species by studying their DNA. Protecting endangered species has many challenges and can cost a fortune for conservation scientist and researchers. By being able to study a species DNA, scientist can gather valuable information such as inbreeding, population history, natural selection and evolution. However, the current approach requires large amounts of DNA which can be very difficult to obtain when dealing with endangered species. Standford's Program for Conservation Genomic and India's National Center for Biological Sciences decided to collaborate and create a new sequencing method that amplified the small bits of DNA that were obtained using different samples.

Endangered Species

The researchers found DNA in the endangered animal feces, shed hair, saliva found on killed prey and simultaneously tested them in the same test tubes. This method and technology proved to be highly effective at comparing the genetic characteristics of the DNA. The researchers stated this was an easy lab technique to implement, and can be done relatively cheap because it did not need extensive lab equipment. The data generated could be shared easily across other labs. The technique details, material and methods can be found, here. The current methods to gathering information take a long time, and when it comes to endangered animals, time is something that they don't have. The researchers at Standford have made their methods freely available to everyone-which I think is great because it makes it easier to share data across borders.

Finding the Optimal Genetic Distance

 

Baker’s Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

When in search for the optimal genetic distance scientists surprisingly find the answer in the classic fable Goldilocks and the Three Bears. According to Jianzhi Zhang, a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan, and his doctoral student Xinzhu Wei, have proposed that the optimal mating distance (OMD) for a species is the average genetic difference between two individuals in that selected species. Goldilocks definitely had a point in finding the answer that was not too small or too large, but just right. Thus, scientists have now determined the optimal mating distance of three model organisms to support this claim. By finding the OMD in baker's yeast, the plant Arabidopsis and mice, this research shows its applicability in the three major lineages of eukaryotes.
     Optimal mating distance is the measured genetic difference between an individual’s parents. For decades, it has been in the science field's best interest to find a way to determine this value for each species. According to evolutionary theory, one can predict that finding the optimal mating distance of a species would, in turn, maximize the fitness of an individual. This prediction is supported by the idea that a healthy balance between heterozygosity and common genetic material produces the fittest offspring.
     Heterozygosity allows for genetic variation and can lead to the production of hybrid offspring if two distinct parent lines are crossed. However, if the genetic distance is too large, genetic incompatibility can become harmful to the individual. On the contrary, an extreme of too little or no genetic variation is also dangerous for it increases chances of extinction and inhibits a population's ability to evolve to its changing environment. This being said, it is essential to find the sweet spot between the two extremes.
     I feel that this work is important for it can be used to improve multiple areas within the science fields. This knowledge can be applied agriculturally to increase yield and work towards alleviating food insecurity or could be used in the conservation efforts of endangered species.

Resources:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181107143446.htm

Genome Sequencing of Scandinavian Wolves shows Extensive Inbreeding

A study published in Science Daily describes the full genetic effects of intense inbreeding within a threatened species. The Scandinavian Wolf population was originally started in the 1980's with only two animals. The species grew, but it still incredibly threatened and populations are still low. Due to this low population, inbreeding is incredibly common. The research, which was conducted by Uppsala University, sequenced the entire genome of 100 wolves, and showed how incredibly inbred the species is.

Inbreeding, as we know, lowers the overall genetic diversity within a species. Genetic diversity is key in survival of a species, especially those with low populations and species that are endangered. Efforts have been put forth towards diversifying and protecting these wolf populations, however biology is working against the scientists. Disease or some other mutation could easily run through the small population and destroy it very quickly, where otherwise it could not. I think this study is great in showing us the problems with these wolves, however unfortunately there is no simple solution towards fixing the problem and regrowing the population. This gives great insight into the problem, but no solutions.

The Woolly Mammoth's Last Stand

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/science/woolly-mammoth-extinct-genetics.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&_r=0
http://www.livescience.com/58088-woolly-mammoths-doomed-by-dna-mutations.html

In a remote island off of Siberia, geneticist discovered the tooth of a male woolly mammoth which decodes the probable cause of the population's extinction. This revelation supports the idea that as a population dwindles, natural selection becomes less efficient at deleting bad mutations, and leads to a loss of genes and slowly meltdown the genome. Once numbers fall below a certain level, genetic decline is irreversible and the species will go extinct. The first woolly mammoth's to go extinct were from the mainland due to climate change and hunting, but other populations lived on for thousands of years on remote islands (St. Paul and Wrangel). 
The genomes of the 45,000 year extinct mainland mammoth and the 4,300 extinct Wrangel mammoth were analyzed and geneticist were also able to identify the population size. The population size of the Wrangel was 300 and the mainland had 13000. During the period in between the extinction of both mammoth populations, the species size decreased tremendously and the genetic diversity reduced by 20 percent. This means the lesser fit of the Wrangel mammoths contributed to the extinction.
The Wrangel mammoth's genome detected many deleterious genes and mutations which lead to the population to a genetic meltdown. Many of these genes halted the synthesis of proteins, and damaged olfactory genes as well as receptors which detect pheromones, The two snapshots of the woolly mammoth genome, support the idea that there is genomic meltdown in small populations which contributes to extinction.The discovery that individual genes were deleted in the Wrangel mammoth’s genome is a “very novel result,” and if confirmed, “will have very important implications for conservation biology,” Dr. Dalen said.

I found this article very interesting in many ways. Genetic technologies have become so advanced in analyzing genomes, that the tools can get results from hundreds of thousands of years ago. I also always believed the woolly mammoth's extinction resulted from climate changes, but never thought of mutations being the cause. The mutations found on the genome of the Wrangel mammoth proved to be the final blow to the extinction of the species. The mammoth's were unable to use special senses for survival as well as not being able to socialize with the other sex due to damaged receptors of pheromones. It seems that over time, the mutations weeded out vital genes until there was nothing left to salvage.The mutations were the ultimate destruction of the mammoth species and is important information for conserving endangered species today. 

Right Whales and a New Mutation

Researchers have recently found that in a specific species of whales, right whales, that there is a new gene mutation causing more death for the endangered species. The mutation occurs in their eyes, making them unable to see bright lights or objects, unfortunately objects such as different types of fishing gear. (Fishing gear is a great cause of death for the whales and other sea life) Although, this is unfortunate for the whales, it is helping scientists to understand more about the eye. According to the research, the whales are missing a "normal light-detecting protein", which means completely missing a cone needed for the eyes to see brighter colors. This is the first mutation of its kind found in any mammals. (More information about the eye).

Researchers are finding that whales only possess one gene for this specific cone. Although the cone cell is missing the rods are still present, helping the whales and exemplifying their ability to see dim-light. From this information, scientists are learning new things about the eye that have yet to be discovered. I find it really amazing how the whale's body recognizes that they are missing a certain part of their eye, so the part that is left begins to be exemplified and work better. Many whales go very deep in the ocean, where light disappears quickly, this can be very beneficial when swimming throughout the ocean, except when coming to the top of the water for air. The longest a whale can hold its breath is 90 minutes, but it usually less than that. Hopefully, for the whales they will not be swimming into any fishing equipment. I hope that the whales get another mutation that can only help their eyes and prevent them from becoming extinct.

Fish Adapt to Climate Change by "Switching On" Genes

Recent studies from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence found that types of a flat, cartilaginous fish, called the Winter Skate have been changing their body structure to better survive in the warmer waters. Yet it has been found that these fish weren't evolving, they were turning their genes on and off. These fish were adapting over a relatively short period of time, but not by changing their DNA sequence, but by changing how they express their genes. This form of adaptation is called Epigenetic changes, in which changes in gene expression do not rely on slow changes in DNA, as usually seen in evolution. Instead the process includes switching on and off parts of the DNA that have specific functions, these can also be turned up or down so their function becomes stronger or weaker. This process can take place in a matter of days and species with long lifespans and low reproductive rates are better equipped to undergo these types of changes. The researchers from this study hope this new finding can help protect endangered species like the Winter Skate and have implications in the conservation field.

Genetic Rescue Needed to Save Island Foxes

The island fox is one of the fastest mammals to recover their populations after being placed under the endangered species act in 2004. Three out of six populations have successfully been rehabilitated, however, one population may need some assistance. An associate professor at the College of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology led a team of researchers in preforming the most in depth genetic study of island foxes in California, his name is Chris Funk. 

The results of the foxes genetic studies concluded that all six island fox populations permitted a designation of six subspecies. However, it also proved that one individual population on the San Nicolas Island may require some genetic assistance to prevent the population from extinction. To reduce this populations risk of extinction a process called genetic rescue may be necessary. 

The genomic study showed the San Nicolas population of foxes had a dangerously low amount of genetic variation. A low amount of genetic diversity can prove to be harmful to any species. This can lead to low survival rate or low reproductive success,or it can reduce the populations ability to resist disease outbreak and adapt to varying environmental changes. If all individuals of the population have identical genes there is no “survival of the fittest”, a simple disease may wipe out the entire population.

To avoid extinction, scientists are contemplating using genetic rescue. This means island foxes from other populations will be brought into this at risk population, and this will increase the gene pool of the population. The foxes chosen to increase the gene pool of the vulnerable population will be chosen using the collected genetic information of each population. The foxes with the most desirable traits for the San Nicolas foxes environment will most likely be selected for introduction. 

Genetic diversity is an important aspect of a healthy thriving population. It allows a population to have an overall chance of survival during an outbreak of disease, or serious environmental change, like climate change. The individuals with desirable traits to combat these issues will survive, those with non desirable traits will not survive. With a lack of genetic diversity it is likely all individuals in the population possess the undesirable trait, so to me this idea of genetic rescue can have serious benefits for this population. It has said to be successful in other populations, so I am curious to see if it is successful in this population of island foxes. 

Chewbaaka Finishes the Race to Complete the Cheetah Genome

Photo by David Newton

Cheetah, one of the poster children of the Savannah, have been in trouble for quite some time. With dwindling numbers in the wild and difficulty breeding in captivity, scientists have been studying not only the behavior but also the genetics of cheetah for insight on how to help the continuation of this species. Behaviorally, cheetah could be called complicated, due to their unique behaviors. While these behaviors are interesting to study, some of the behavior is detrimental to their breeding processes. Females in the wild and captivity are highly selective in choosing a mate. With the help of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), many zoos raise various exotic animals with the hope of successful breeding in the future. Cheetah are especially difficult to breed due to the picky nature of females linked to their love for solitude. While working with cheetah at a zoo, other keepers warned me that female cheetah are so particular that it is not uncommon for multiple males to be introduced to a female before she chooses a mate. Then, even after a companion is chosen, it is also not unlikely for the pair to successfully produce no offspring, if she mates with him at all. Behaviorally, cheetah have difficulty mating, however there are genetic odds stacked against them too.

Research in big cats can sometimes be difficult due to their short lifespan. Typically big cats don't live much more than 7 years, due to the high rates in cancer and other complications they suffer from in aging. An orphaned cheetah from Namibia was rescued by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in 1995. Little did the CCF know, he would live for a surprising 16 years! Named Chewbaaka, this cheetah was able to help complete the genome for his species. With the complete genome of cheetah complete, scientists have been able to further research the genetic obstacles that are preventing cheetah from thriving as a species. The completion of the cheetah genome revealed an unsettling fact, that cheetah show very little diversity in terms of genetics. Prior to reading this article, I did not know that work was being done to complete genomes outside of the human species and I was very surprised to learn about this. This also led me to other very interesting articles that further dissected the issue.

As a result of Chewbaaka's contribution to genetics, scientists decided to examine the lack of overall genetic variation among various cheetah.  With the major lack of diversity, cheetah suffer from an array of issues including "elevated juvenile mortality, extreme abnormalities in sperm development, difficulties until recently in achieving sustainable captive breeding, and increased vulnerability to infectious disease outbreaks". Unfortunately the effects of little genetic variation has resulted in traits that inhibit the cheetah's ability to produce viable offspring at numerous stages of life, from fertilization to surviving infancy. Due to the selective nature of female cheetah, inbreeding has become incredibly common among cheetah, creating the issue within the genetic variation of the entire species. Thankfully, there are currently programs working to try to increase the odds of cub production and survival of numerous big cats. While working with cheetah, I also learned of how the SSP helps zoos and the breeding of endangered animals within them. With the problems of genetic diversity in mind, the SSP matches animals who are not closely related, with favorable traits that would hopefully lead to successful offspring. In doing this, the SSP attempts to increase variation within the available gene pool of captive cheetah and other animals to hopefully increase success in breeding in the future. I think that this will greatly improve the status of success of cheetah in captivity, however it would be very difficult to replicate in the wild. 

First IVF Puppies

Scientists from Cornell University were able to successfully deliver a litter of puppies that were conceived through the process of in vitro fertilization. Scientists have been trying to accomplish successful in vitro fertilization in dogs since the 1970’s, but kept falling short. Scientist at Cornell University stated that the main challenges were “figuring out the optimal stage for fertilization of the female dog’s eggs and simulating the conditions in the lab for preparing sperm”. Eventually the team of scientists were able to transfer 19 embryos into a host female dog which gave birth to seven puppies. Five of the dogs were conceived from beagles and two were a mix of beagle and cocker spaniel. The embryos were cultivated in a dish in a laboratory before being implanted in the dog. The reason why this discovery is such a breakthrough is because scientists believe that the success of this experiment may help the future conservation of endangered species and may also help with gene-editing technologies that cure inherited diseases in dogs. Humans and dogs share more than 350 traits, and this breakthrough could help further the research of many genetic diseases.

I think that the success of this experiment is truly remarkable and that this will definitely be helpful when studying other genetic diseases in humans. I was surprised to learn that dogs and humans share over 350 traits. Hopefully in the future in vitro fertilization will be useful in the conservation of various endangered species.

Original Article

Using Genetic Diversity to Find Potentially Endangered Species

Statistics may help in identifying species that will soon become endangered, allowing conservation groups to intervene before it is too late.

Cheetahs are poster children for low genetic diversity,
as they can barely breed to due to how inbred the population is.
Photograph credit: Diana Robinson on flikr

A Purdue University study led by Janna Willoughby estimates likelihood of extinction of a species by by seeing how genetically diverse a species is. Genetic diversity is the frequency of different alleles in a population. The more diverse a population is, the more likely it is to contain individuals who can adapt and survive changes in environment.

Previously, endangered species were identified by number of mature adults, range size, and any evidence of population decline. The study has found that species listed as threatened show decreased genetic diversity. As it stands now, genetic diversity does not factor into a species being labeled as threatened. If a species is numerous in population but has low genetic diversity, it wouldn't be put on the list of threatened species until the population falls below a threshold. And smaller populations encourage inbreeding and suffer from loss of diversity, which can start a vicious cycle that could catapult the species into more danger.

Hopefully, once the team's methods are perfected, they may end up helping conserve species that we previously didn't think needed such help.

You can read the full news article here
To see Willoughby's early paper, click here or wait for the November issue of Biological Conservation

A New Tool for Conservation Genetics: Seal Placentas

When species become rarer, there is a small population of species that can pass their genes and many will start to inbreed. Inbreeding can cause a lack of genetic diversity, which can lead to birth defect and other negative effects. Inbreeding can cause an endangered species to be more endangered as time passes. The genetic makeup of endangered species are tested regularly by conservationists to understand the threats and at times help them breed. However, collecting DNA samples from an animal can be risky and harmful to the animal and the person collecting the DNA or there may not be enough of a sample to analyze the DNA fully.

Researchers from Finland found that placentas can be used to provide the maximum information of an animal when collecting DNA samples. The researchers studied the placentas of Saimaa ringed seals, where only about 300 of the seals remain in Finland. The researchers collected 59 placentas between 2009 and 2011 from the birthing dens of seals. Placenta testing revealed information about the pups’ genotype and exhibited low genetic diversity. The test could not reveal the genes of the mother and which pups were siblings. The study shown that placentas can be used in genetic monitoring.

This study can help save endangered species, which do not eat their placenta, by identifying any diseases it can have from a low breeding population. Also, the study can help conservationists decide if they need to introduce a species into the population to increase the gene pool and which species to use.

Original Link: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2015/04/17/genetics-seal-placentas/

Related Linked: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/pinnipeds/saimaaseal.htm

Seal Placentas Aid in Conservation Efforts

A recent article in Scientific American discusses the new importance found in seal placentas. Recent research has displayed that seal placentas are very effective in genetic research, showing the amount of inbreeding and even the gender of the offspring. This method of collection allows conservationists to collect DNA samples easier, with no risk to themselves or the seals being studied.

Seals are being monitored for inbreeding due to the occurrence of a small gene pool. When an animal becomes endangered, a limited amount of breeding choices result in a much greater risk of inbreeding within the population. Scientists wish to observe inbreeding to gain a better understanding of the risks involved with extremely endangered species.


A group of Finnish researchers collected several placentas from the extremely rare Saimaa ringed seals. Material extracted from the side of the placenta attached to the uterine lining contained DNA from the mother, while the side connected to the fetus gave DNA from the offspring. The sample of collected placentas exhibited the expected low amount of genetic diversity.With only an estimated number of three hundred seals remaining in the wild, inbreeding becomes a very critical issue. Unfortunately, this collection technique can not be applied to most mammals because the vast majority exhibit placentophagia, or eating the placenta after the birthing process.

A New Tool for Conservation Genetics: Seal Placentas

Not only are seal populations on the decline due to loss of habitat, competition for resources, and hunting, but now a lack of genetic diversity is also causing problems with the Pinnipeds. The issue is inbreeding, which can lead to birth defects and other problems that threaten the lives of these animals.

Conservation biologists test the DNA of endangered species when they are able to obtain a sample. However, it is often difficult to get a sample from a wild animal because they either cannot be found in their natural habitat, there is too little DNA in hair or feces that are found, or it is hazardous to the researcher or the animal to get close to each other. The new way of genetic testing is performed by obtaining the placentas of newborn seals. By using the placenta scientists can learn additional information as well, such as the gender of the pup or if inbreeding occurred.  

This study was performed in Finland on Saimaa ringed seals, one of the most rare species of seal on earth. From 2009-2011, scientists collected 59 placentas from these seals. Even though they were not completely fresh and new, the placentas still contained a vast amount of testable DNA. Unfortunately, what the researchers discovered was that many of the pups born were stillborn. The genetics of the pups revealed there was not much diversity in the genes and led to fatal birth defects.

This is only the beginning of this new method of genetic testing. The information placentas can give about a newborn seal (or any animal) could be extremely beneficial to conservation efforts. The reason this study works well with seals is because the mothers do not eat the placentas after giving birth, as many species of animals do. 

I was very happy to see this article and read about the ways we are using genetics to help with conservation efforts. As someone interested in working in wildlife conservation, it gives hope to the future of these animals. It seems as though the key to solving many of the problems occurring in animals, including humans, lies within the field of genetics. 

Original Article

Related

The 'Frozen Zoo'

   Have you ever wondered what happens to an endangered animal after it dies over at the San Diego Zoo? Well, when an endangered animal dies they end up in the 'Frozen Zoo'. Scientists remove sperm, eggs, bits of tissue and store it in liquid nitrogen for later research with the hopes of bringing back rare and extinct organisms in the future. This is the largest gene bank of it's kind, with over 1000 species genes stored inside. An example of one crucial species is the Northern White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) - with only 5 left alive in the world - that they plan use artificial insemination with 'frozen' sperm to restore populations. This method has already proven successful with the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). 

I found this article to be very interesting because I'm an advocate for conservation and preservation of species for future generations to appreciate. However I'd imagine that there is only so far this kind of research could go because with so little of many species still alive to collect sperm and egg from, eventually the problem of a lack of genetic variation would arise. Interesting none the less!