Balancing genetic diversity, genetic merit and population viability in conservation programmes

This paper introduces a method to balance genetic diversity, genetic merit and population viability in the establishment of conservation programmes for which there can be control of breeding to an extent. These issues are included in a function that is optimized using an evolutionary algorithm, resulting in a solution to which subpopulations and numbers of individuals from each to be included in a conserved population. The method is illustrated by use of microsatellite data from swamp buffaloes, which are used to estimate genetic variation within and between races. Weighting factors for genetic variation, genetic merit and population viability in conserved populations were varied to give a range of interesting solutions. Higher levels of emphasis on genetic diversity led to preservation of pure races within the conserved population. In contrast, higher levels of emphasis on population viability can lead to rationalization of genetic resources through crossing of closely related races, particularly where few individuals of one or both sexes remain. The approach can be extended to handle tactical issues such as culling and mate allocation for individual animals, where opportunities for such levels of control exist in the establishment and ongoing maintenance of a conservation programme.