2024/07/30 by Luciana Inés Oklander, Luciana Oklander, Iván Darío Soto-Calderón +1 · 5 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Immunology and Microbiology · Psychology · #Aquaculture disease management and microbiota #Biology #Conservation biology #Conservation genetics #Ecology #Evolutionary biology #Fragmentation (computing) #Genetics #Geography #Habitat #Habitat destruction #Habitat fragmentation #Microsatellite #Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications #Primate #Primate Behavior and Ecology #Wildlife #Wildlife conservation
paper · doi:10.1146/annurev-anthro-041422-114003
published in Annual Review of Anthropology 53(1), 371-395 (Annual Reviews)
openalex publication_date 2024/07/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Conservation genetics is the use of genetics to understand and mitigate the threats caused by anthropogenic activities, including habitat loss and fragmentation, wildlife trafficking, and emerging diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of primate conservation genetics in the development of effective conservation strategies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining genetic diversity to enhance adaptive potential and prevent extinction. First, we discuss studies of various primate species that exemplify how genetic data have been instrumental in accurately assessing threat levels, identifying trafficked animals and tracing their geographic origin, and studying how habitat loss affects primate populations. Subsequently, we describe the various molecular tools and analytical approaches employed in these studies. Lastly, we provide a bibliographic review of research in conservation genetics over the last 20 years. We conclude with a brief discussion of the limitations and challenges in this field in developing countries and recommendations for future research.