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The relevance of pedigrees in the conservation genomics era.
  • +13
  • Stephanie Galla,
  • Liz Brown,
  • Yvette Couch-Lewis,
  • Ilina Cubrinovska,
  • Daryl Eason,
  • Rebecca Gooley,
  • Jill Hamilton,
  • Julie Heath,
  • Samantha Hauser,
  • Emily Latch,
  • Marjorie Matocq,
  • Anne Richardson,
  • Jana Wold,
  • Carolyn J. Hogg,
  • Anna Santure,
  • Tammy Steeves
Stephanie Galla
Boise State University

Corresponding Author:sgalla32@gmail.com

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Liz Brown
New Zealand Department of Conservation
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Yvette Couch-Lewis
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Te Whare o Te Waipounamu
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Ilina Cubrinovska
University of Canterbury
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Daryl Eason
New Zealand Department of Conservation
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Rebecca Gooley
Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation
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Jill Hamilton
North Dakota State University
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Julie Heath
Boise State University
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Samantha Hauser
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Emily Latch
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
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Marjorie Matocq
University of Nevada Reno
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Anne Richardson
The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust
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Jana Wold
University of Canterbury
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Carolyn J. Hogg
University of Sydney
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Anna Santure
The University of Auckland
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Tammy Steeves
University of Canterbury
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Abstract

Over the past 50 years conservation genetics has developed a substantive toolbox to inform species management. One of the most long-standing tools available to manage genetics - the pedigree - has been widely used to characterize diversity and maximize evolutionary potential in threatened populations. Now, with the ability to use high throughput sequencing (HTS) to estimate relatedness, inbreeding, and genome-wide functional diversity, some have asked whether it is warranted for conservation biologists to continue collecting and collating pedigrees for species management. In this perspective, we argue that pedigrees remain a relevant tool, and when combined with genomic data, create an invaluable resource for conservation genomic management. Genomic data can address pedigree pitfalls (e.g., founder relatedness, missing data, uncertainty), and in return robust pedigrees allow for more nuanced research design, including well-informed sampling strategies and quantitative analyses (e.g., heritability, linkage) to better inform genomic inquiry. We further contend that building and maintaining pedigrees provides an opportunity to strengthen trusted relationships among conservation researchers, practitioners, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. 
Keywords: conservation genomics, quantitative genetics, pedigree, kinship,ex situ , in situ
02 Jul 2021Submitted to Molecular Ecology
06 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
06 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
08 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
13 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Sep 20211st Revision Received
17 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Jan 2022Published in Molecular Ecology volume 31 issue 1 on pages 41-54. 10.1111/mec.16192