Role of genomics and transcriptomics in selection of reintroduction source populations

The use and importance of reintroduction as a conservation tool to return a species to its historical range from which it has been extirpated will increase as climate change and human development accelerate habitat loss and population extinctions. Although the number of reintroduction attempts has increased rapidly over the past 2 decades, the success rate is generally low. As a result of population differences in fitness-related traits and divergent responses to environmental stresses, population performance upon reintroduction is highly variable, and it is generally agreed that selecting an appropriate source population is a critical component of a successful reintroduction. Conservation genomics is an emerging field that addresses long-standing challenges in conservation, and the potential for using novel molecular genetic approaches to inform and improve conservation efforts is high. Because the successful establishment and persistence of reintroduced populations is highly dependent on the functional genetic variation and environmental stress tolerance of the source population, we propose the application of conservation genomics and transcriptomics to guide reintroduction practices. Specifically, we propose using genome-wide functional loci to estimate genetic variation of source populations. This estimate can then be used to predict the potential for adaptation. We also propose using transcriptional profiling to measure the expression response of fitness-related genes to environmental stresses as a proxy for acclimation (tolerance) capacity. Appropriate application of conservation genomics and transcriptomics has the potential to dramatically enhance reintroduction success in a time of rapidly declining biodiversity and accelerating environmental change. El uso y la importancia de la reintroducción como herramienta de conservación para regresar a las especies a su extensión histórica de la que han sido extirpada incrementarán conforme el cambio climático y los establecimientos humanos aceleren la pérdida de bábitat y la extinción de poblaciones. Aunque el número de intentos de reintroducción ha incrementado en las últimas dos décadas, la tasa de éxitos es generalmente baja. Como resultado de las diferencias poblacionales en los caracteres relacionados con la adecuación y las respuestas divergentes a los estreses ambientales, el desempeño poblacional tras la reintroducción es altamente variable y es un acuerdo general que la selección de una población