Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A Noninvasive Hair Sampling Technique to Obtain High Quality DNA from Elusive Small Mammals
Published on: March 13, 2011
A role for molecular genetics in the recognition and conservation of endangered species
1John Avise is at the Dept of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Abstract:
Taxonomies based on morphological traits alone sometimes provide inadequate or misleading guides to phylogenetic distinctions at the subspecies and species levels. Yet taxonomic assignments inevitably shape perceptions of biotic diversity, including recognition of endangered species. Case histories are discussed in which the data of molecular genetics revealed prior systematic errors of the two possible kinds: taxonomic recognition of groups showing little evolutionary differentiation, and lack of taxonomic recognition of phylogenetically distinct forms. In such cases, conservation efforts for 'endangered species' can be misdirected with respect to the goal of protecting biological diversity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Multi-species Conserved Sequences
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
Modern Molecular Taxonomy
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Conservation of Small Populations

