The use of museum specimens to reconstruct the genetic variability and relationships of extinct populations

In this review, we discuss the use of DNA from museum specimens to address conservation genetic questions. We provide four examples from our previous studies of the northern hairy-nosed wombat, African wild dog, Ethiopian wolf and red wolf. These species were genetically surveyed using two molecular approaches: first, analysis of short sequences in the mitochondrial genome using species-specific primers, and second, analysis of hypervariable microsatellite loci. The studies demonstrate that museum-derived DNA adds an important dimension to the genetic study of extant populations. Inaccessible populations can be studied, and both the loss of genetic variation and its distribution over space and time can be better understood. Finally, analysis of additional museum material provides definitive evidence for a hybrid origin of the red wolf.