Fumagalli Group - Genetics and Conservation Biology

As the size of animal and plant populations decreases due to human impacts, inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity reduces reproductive fitness and the ability to adapt to environmental changes. Conservation genetics applies molecular biology techniques to the conservation and management of threatened species and populations. The ways in which genetics is used to minimize extinction risks include resolution of taxonomic ambiguities, definition of management units within species, minimization of inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity by translocation and captive breeding, detection of hybridizations, definition of sites for reintroduction, use of genetic analyses in forensics, understanding aspects of species biology important for conservation.

The Laboratory for Conservation Biology (LCB) is a specialized unit of the DEE. It is structured to incorporate a network of researchers working in fundamental and applied science, favouring a multidisciplinary approach of conservation biology. In addition to research projects combining molecular ecology tools and concepts with long-term studies of field ecology, the services of the LCB are also intended for environmental organisations concerned with the management and conservation of biodiversity, such as governmental agencies, NGO organisations, private entities, forensic and custom agencies, academic institutions.

Research projects in Conservation Genetics Ongoing projects include:

• Population genetics and ecology of the Alpine salamander Salamandra atra in the Swiss Alps (Véronique Helfer)
• Adaptive genetic variation within barn owl Tyto alba populations (Reto Burri)
• Genetic structure, mating system and inbreeding depression in disjunct populations of the adder Vipera berus (Sylvain Ursenbacher)
• Extent and distribution of genetic variation over time in European wolf (Canis lupus) inferred from mtDNA analysis of museum samples (LF)
• Other ongoing projects concern for example species as diverse as the asp viper Vipera aspis, the European treefrog Hyla arborea, the Western green lizard Lacerta bilineata, the viperine snake Natrix maura, the water chestnut Trapa natans.

• Species/genetic lineage determination and individual identity/sex assignment of biological samples (hair, faeces) attributed to the wolf (Canis lupus) in the Swiss Alps
• Hybridization and introgression of brown trout Salmo trutta populations by domestic strains
• Resolution of fragmented population structures
• DNA sex determination/paternity analysis in bird species
• Identification of animal and plant species from biological samples involved in poaching and illicit traffic
• Taxonomic assessment
• DNA identification and genotyping of animal samples in human forensic issues