Tool kit conservation genetics

Genetic methods are still rarely used in practical conservation management. To change this, partners from the private (consulting office, company for molecular analyses) and the academic sector (university, university of applied science, federal research institute) joined to set up a ready-to-use tool kit, which allows authorities and consultancies to apply conservation genetic methods in a standardized way in their everyday work. The project has two foci.

Metabarcoding of amphibian species using eDNA. This workflow encompasses sampling protocols of water samples including necessary equipment, laboratory techniques (with newly developed metabarcoding primers allowing the discrimination of "water frogs" and a new complete reference data base), report layout and interpretation help, all in a standardized way.

Connectivity. This workflow includes detailed sampling protocols for various organismic groups and landscape situations including necessary equipment, laboratory techniques (microsatellites), statistical analysis (first generation migrants, bidirectional migration rates from assignment tests, pairwise Fst, genetic structure in STRUCTURE, landscape genetic analysis with 0/1 barrier matrix), report layout and interpretation help. All steps are provided in a standardized way.

The advantages of the tool kit conservation genetics are that standard protocols for sampling, lab work and statistical analyses are used, private project partners provide help and training during implementation, costs are standardized and fast generation of results is guaranteed. The academic project partners act as experts during the development of the tool kit. The tool kit will be extended in the future (e.g., eDNA metabarcoding of dragon- and damselflies).

External project webpage (in German)