Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Natural Selection and Adaptation01:15

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations, psychological...
Limits to Natural Selection01:38

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...
Conservation of Small Populations02:04

Conservation of Small Populations

Small population sizes put a species at extreme risk of extinction due to a lack of variation, and a consequent decrease in adaptability. This weakens the chances of survival under pressures such as climate change, competition from other species, or new diseases. Large populations are more likely to survive pressures such as these, as such populations are more likely to harbor individuals that have genetic variants that are adaptive under new stresses. Small populations are much less likely to...
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).Mechanisms of Genetic VariationThe original sources of genetic variation are mutations,...
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.The genetics of speciation involves the different traits or isolating mechanisms preventing gene exchange, leading to reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation can be due to reproductive barriers that have effects either before or after the formation of a zygote. Pre-zygotic mechanisms prevent fertilization from occurring, and post-zygotic mechanisms...
What is Natural Selection?01:32

What is Natural Selection?

Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.The Theory of Natural...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Integrating biobanking could produce significant cost benefits and minimise inbreeding for Australian amphibian captive breeding programs.

Reproduction, fertility, and development·2024
Same author

Genetic diversity goals and targets have improved, but remain insufficient for clear implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

Conservation genetics (Print)·2023
Same author

Modeling genetic benefits and financial costs of integrating biobanking into the conservation breeding of managed marsupials.

Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·2022
Same author

Critiques of PVA Ask the Wrong Questions: Throwing the Heuristic Baby Out with the Numerical Bath Water.

Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·2022
Same author

Modelling Genetic Benefits and Financial Costs of Integrating Biobanking into the Captive Management of Koalas.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2022
Same author

Rapid reshaping: the evolution of morphological changes in an introduced beach daisy.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2019

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

At-Risk Butterfly Captive Propagation Programs to Enhance Life History Knowledge and Effective Ex Situ Conservation Techniques
07:10

At-Risk Butterfly Captive Propagation Programs to Enhance Life History Knowledge and Effective Ex Situ Conservation Techniques

Published on: February 11, 2020

Genetic adaptation to captivity in species conservation programs.

Richard Frankham1

  • 1Key Centre for Biodiversity and Bioresources, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia. rfrankha@els.mq.edu.au

Molecular Ecology
|January 5, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Genetic adaptation to captivity can harm reintroduction success. Minimizing generations in captivity and using population fragmentation are key strategies to mitigate these negative genetic changes for conservation efforts.

More Related Videos

Small-Cage Laboratory Trials of Genetically-Engineered Anopheline Mosquitoes
07:45

Small-Cage Laboratory Trials of Genetically-Engineered Anopheline Mosquitoes

Published on: May 1, 2021

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish
07:01

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish

Published on: April 22, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 8, 2026

At-Risk Butterfly Captive Propagation Programs to Enhance Life History Knowledge and Effective Ex Situ Conservation Techniques
07:10

At-Risk Butterfly Captive Propagation Programs to Enhance Life History Knowledge and Effective Ex Situ Conservation Techniques

Published on: February 11, 2020

Small-Cage Laboratory Trials of Genetically-Engineered Anopheline Mosquitoes
07:45

Small-Cage Laboratory Trials of Genetically-Engineered Anopheline Mosquitoes

Published on: May 1, 2021

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish
07:01

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish

Published on: April 22, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Conservation Biology
  • Evolutionary Genetics
  • Animal Breeding

Background:

  • Wild species often require captive breeding to prevent extinction due to inhospitable environments.
  • Genetic adaptations acquired in captivity can be detrimental upon reintroduction into natural habitats.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review empirical evidence on the genetic basis of adaptation to captivity.
  • To identify factors influencing the extent of captive adaptation.
  • To explore methods for minimizing negative reintroduction outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of empirical evidence on genetic adaptation in captive populations.
  • Analysis of factors affecting adaptation extent (selection intensity, genetic diversity, population size, generations).
  • Evaluation of strategies to minimize deleterious effects upon reintroduction.

Main Results:

  • Genetic adaptation to captivity is often driven by rare, recessive alleles.
  • Adaptation extent correlates with selection intensity, genetic diversity, population size, and generations.
  • Minimizing generations in captivity is effective but often impractical.
  • Population fragmentation and crossing replicate populations are practical mitigation strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic adaptation to captivity poses significant risks to reintroduction success, especially for long-term captive populations.
  • Strategies like population fragmentation and crossing replicate populations can reduce negative impacts.
  • Conservation programs must prioritize mitigating genetic adaptation to captivity.