A conservation genomic powerhouse
While pedigrees are one of the most long-standing tools in the
conservation genetics toolbox, when coupled with unprecedented advances
in genetics and genomics, they create a powerhouse for conservation
management capable of better characterizing and preserving diversity in
a changing world. We contend that pedigrees will remain relevant for
applied and fundamental research, and advocate for their maintenance in
programs across the ex situ and in situ management
spectrum.
For those beginning to assemble pedigree data, we offer the following
advice for maximum success. First, when establishing a new pedigree of
plants or animals, collect tissue samples and metadata (e.g., phenotypic
information and geographic provenance) for as many individuals as
possible (including all founders, in the case of conservation breeding
programs) to ensure you can inform inter-individual relationships. In
addition to initial sampling, we recommend maintaining detailed metadata
(e.g., date of birth, sex, morphometrics of interest, cause of death)
and tissue samples for all pedigreed individuals in subsequent
generations. Tissue banks for all pedigreed individuals can help
jumpstart genomic research, coupled with collected metadata embedded in
the pedigree. Tissue samples can also be used by conservation genetic
researchers to periodically validate the pedigree for accuracy and
assist with any uncertain parentage assignments. Finally, we advocate
for clear communication between conservation practitioners, geneticists,
and IPLCs to ensure pedigrees continue to be built and used as a tool
for management for generations to come.