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Conservation of Small Populations

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...

Gene Flow

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.

Genetic Drift

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

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).

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Diploid organisms have two alleles of each gene, one from each parent, in their somatic cells. Therefore, each individual contributes two alleles to the gene pool of the population. The gene pool of a population is the sum of every allele of all genes within that population and has some degree of variation. Genetic variation is typically expressed as a relative frequency, which is the percentage of the total population that has a given allele, genotype or phenotype.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid

Published on: August 8, 2017

Persistent genetic connectivity in caribou may buffer against inbreeding effects.

Andrea Miranda Paez¹, Renae Sattler², Gabriel Amorim de Albuquerque Silva¹

¹College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States of America.

|March 16, 2026

Summary

The Mulchatna Caribou Herd shows spatial structure but remains genetically unified, despite a significant population decline. This suggests connectivity persists across its large geographic range.

Keywords:

Alaska Caribou Genetic diversity Mulchatna Population connectivity Spatial structure

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Last Updated: Mar 18, 2026

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Published on: August 8, 2017

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Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis

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Published on: August 12, 2019

Area of Science:

Wildlife Ecology
Population Genetics
Conservation Biology

Background:

The Mulchatna Caribou Herd (MCH) in Alaska experienced a 94% population decline over 30 years.
Radio-telemetry and GPS studies indicated spatial substructure in calving and breeding areas.
This substructure raised questions about the herd's genetic integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the genetic consequences of MCH population decline and spatial structuring.
To determine if distinct calving and breeding aggregations represent separate genetic units.
To assess inbreeding levels within the Mulchatna Caribou Herd.

Main Methods:

Genotyping-by-sequencing analysis of 121 adult female caribou.
Comparison of genetic differentiation across spatially distinct subgroups (east, central, west).
Assessment of inbreeding coefficients.

Main Results:

No significant genetic differentiation was found between the east, central, and west subgroups.
The Mulchatna Caribou Herd currently functions as a single, genetically cohesive population.
No significant levels of inbreeding were detected, likely due to historical population size.

Conclusions:

The MCH exhibits spatial structuring but maintains genetic unity.
Connectivity exists between migratory and nonmigratory groups across the herd's range.
Conservation and management should consider the herd as a single genetic entity.