Conservation Genomics News Today

An international collaboration reveals the genetic secrets of endangered species, from trees to cockatoos to deep-sea corals. Butternuts are soft and oily, with a light walnut flavor that lingers on the tongue. Despite its unique flavor, few Americans have tasted this endangered native. Now, Univer

The earth is entering a sixth mass extinction, and terrestrial mammal extinctions in Australia have occurred at a faster rate in the last 200 years than any other country in the world. When a threatened mammal species experiences inbreeding depression, genetic drift or a genetic bottleneck, their risk of extinction increases. Researching and detecting these processes is crucial as it allows managers to initiate genetic rescue before it is too late. Conservation genomics is a field that provides ...

UConn undergraduates collaborate to reveal the genetic secrets of endangered species

Scientists have found evidence that microplastics in the digestive tract of seabirds altered the microbiome of the gut -- increasing the presence of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant microbes, while decreasing the beneficial bacteria found in the intestines.

Scientists have been worried about the potential harms of microplastics for years. These small plastic particles less than 5 mm in length have been found everywhere because of plastic pollution - from the Earth's deep oceans to remote regions in Antarctica, and even the seafood we eat. But, are microplastics really harmful?

Microplastics are changing the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds. Humans should be wary, too, researchers say.

The more microplastics in the intestines of seabirds, the more the microbial diversity changes, with the result that beneficial bacteria decrease and

The more microplastics in the intestines of seabirds, the more the microbial diversity changes, with the result that beneficial bacteria decrease and pathogens, as well as antibiotic-resistant and ...

The iconic Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) is a critically endangered Australian conifer and one of the world’s rarest trees with only 46 mature individuals remaining in the wild. The species is regarded as a “living fossil” and was discovered on the brink of extinction following a natural historical decline. While its discovery has enabled crucial intervention for its long-term conservation, it has also created novel threats. Wollemia nobilis is facing extinction in the wild due to its hi...

The team identified 1215 blocks of genes that consistently occur on the same chromosome in the same order across all 32 genomes.