701-1450-00L  Conservation Genetics

SemesterFrühjahrssemester 2018
DozierendeR. Holderegger, M. Fischer, F. Gugerli
Periodizitätjährlich wiederkehrende Veranstaltung
LehrspracheEnglisch



Lehrveranstaltungen

NummerTitelUmfangDozierende
701-1450-00 GConservation Genetics60s Std.
Do/108:15-12:00CHN D 48 »
R. Holderegger, M. Fischer, F. Gugerli

Katalogdaten

KurzbeschreibungThe course deals with knowledge in conservation genetics and its practical applications. It introduces the genetic theories of conservation genetics, such as inbreeding depression in small populations or fragmentation. The course also shows how diverse genetic methods are used in conservation management. The course critically discusses the benefits and limits of conservation genetics.
LernzielGenetic and evolutionary argumentation is an important feature of conservation biology. The course equips students with knowledge on conservation genetics and its applications in conservation management. The course introduces the main theories of conservation genetics and shows how diverse genetic methods are used in conservation management. The course critically discusses the benefits and limits of conservation genetics. Practical examples from animals and plants are presented.
InhaltThere are 4 hours of lectures, presentations and group works per week. Students also have to spend about 3 hours per week on preparatory work for the following week. Every week, one subject will be presented by one of three lecturers.

Overview of themes:
Barcoding, eDNA and genetic monitoring; effects of small population size: genetic drift and inbreeding; neutral and adaptive genetic diversity; hybridization; gene flow, fragmentation and connectivity.

Specific topics:
(1) Species and individual identification: barcoding; eDNA; population size estimation; habitat use and genetic monitoring.
(2) Small population size; bottlenecks; genetic drift; inbreeding and inbreeding depression; effective population size.
(3) Adaptive genetic diversity; neutral and adaptive genetic variation; importance of adaptive genetic diversity; methods to measure adaptive genetic variation.
(4) Hybridization; gene introgression; gene flow across species boundaries.
(5) Half day excursion: practical example of conservation genetics on fragmentation.
(6) Discussion and evaluation of excursion; historical and contemporary gene flow and dispersal; fragmentation and connectivity.
(7) Written examination.
SkriptNo script; handouts and material for downloading will be provided.
LiteraturThere is no textbook for this course, but the following books are (partly) recommended:

Allendorf F.W., Luikart G.; Aitken S.N. 2013. Conservation and the Genetics of Populations, 2nd edition. Wiley, Oxford.

Frankham R., Ballou J.D., Briscoe D.A. 2010. Introduction to Conservation Genetics, 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Voraussetzungen / BesonderesRequirements:
Students must have a good background in genetics as well as in ecology and evolution. The courses "Population and Quantitative Genetics" or "Evolutionary Genetics" should have been attended.

Examination:
A final written examination on the content of the course and an excursion are integral parts of the course.

Teaching forms:
The course needs the active participation of students. It consists of lectures, group works, presentations, discussions, readings and a half-day excursion.

Leistungskontrolle

Information zur Leistungskontrolle (gültig bis die Lerneinheit neu gelesen wird)
Leistungskontrolle als Semesterkurs
ECTS Kreditpunkte3 KP
PrüfendeR. Holderegger, M. Fischer, F. Gugerli
Formbenotete Semesterleistung
PrüfungsspracheEnglisch
RepetitionRepetition nur nach erneuter Belegung der Lerneinheit möglich.

Lernmaterialien

Keine öffentlichen Lernmaterialien verfügbar.
Es werden nur die öffentlichen Lernmaterialien aufgeführt.

Gruppen

Keine Informationen zu Gruppen vorhanden.

Einschränkungen

Keine zusätzlichen Belegungseinschränkungen vorhanden.

Angeboten in

StudiengangBereichTyp
Biologie MasterWahlpflicht MasterkurseWInformation
Doktorat Departement UmweltsystemwissenschaftenÖkologie und EvolutionWInformation
Umweltnaturwissenschaften MasterFortgeschrittene KonzeptkurseWInformation