This course helps participants apply genetic principles and techniques to species conservation and management decisions.  Particular emphasis will be given to the role of genetics in determining appropriate management units and the major schools of thought in the conservation genetics community.  Group exercises and case studies covering an array of taxonomic groups will be used to introduce and elucidate concepts, applications and controversies. 

Who Should Attend:  Personnel who are responsible for integrating genetic information with management programs.  Participants should have a solid understanding of genetic principles or have taken the NCTC course "Fish Genetics" (FIS1220). 

Length: 5 days/36 hours

Objectives: By the end of this session, the participant will be able to:

• Explain important concepts such as population genetics, molecular systematics and evolutionary theory;
• Introduce an array of contemporary molecular genetic analytical techniques, including the role of each in delineating systematics, phylogeography, population structure, and kinship/parentage.   Appropriate data analysis procedures and interpretation will be explained using examples from recent applications;
• Describe the application of genetic information to identify appropriate units of management;
• Compare and contrast the various definitions proposed for defining distinct population segments (DPS), including evolutionarily significant units (ESU);
• Discuss current controversies within the genetic discipline, including the conflict between population genetics and molecular systematics regarding the identification of distinct population segments; and
• Discuss the limitations of genetic analyses relative to various management issues.