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Decades of population genetic research reveal the need for harmonization of molecular markers: the grey wolf C anis lupus as a case study
Author(s) -
Groot G. Arjen,
Nowak Carsten,
Skrbinšek Tomaž,
Andersen Liselotte W.,
Aspi Jouni,
Fumagalli Luca,
Godinho Raquel,
Harms Verena,
Jansman Hugh A.H.,
Liberg Olof,
Marucco Francesca,
Mysłajek Robert W.,
Nowak Sabina,
Pilot Małgorzata,
Randi Ettore,
Reinhardt Ilka,
Śmietana Wojciech,
Szewczyk Maciej,
Taberlet Pierre,
Vilà Carles,
MuñozFuentes Violeta
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
mammal review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.574
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2907
pISSN - 0305-1838
DOI - 10.1111/mam.12052
Subject(s) - harmonization , genotyping , data science , biological dispersal , biology , population , standardization , evolutionary biology , geography , computational biology , ecology , computer science , genetics , genotype , physics , demography , sociology , gene , acoustics , operating system
Following protection measures implemented since the 1970s, large carnivores are currently increasing in number and returning to areas from which they were absent for decades or even centuries. Monitoring programmes for these species rely extensively on non‐invasive sampling and genotyping. However, attempts to connect results of such studies at larger spatial or temporal scales often suffer from the incompatibility of genetic markers implemented by researchers in different laboratories. This is particularly critical for long‐distance dispersers, revealing the need for harmonized monitoring schemes that would enable the understanding of gene flow and dispersal dynamics. Based on a review of genetic studies on grey wolves C anis lupus from E urope, we provide an overview of the genetic markers currently in use, and identify opportunities and hurdles for studies based on continent‐scale datasets. Our results highlight an urgent need for harmonization of methods to enable transnational research based on data that have already been collected, and to allow these data to be linked to material collected in the future. We suggest timely standardization of newly developed genotyping approaches, and propose that action is directed towards the establishment of shared single nucleotide polymorphism panels, next‐generation sequencing of microsatellites, a common reference sample collection and an online database for data exchange. Enhanced cooperation among genetic researchers dealing with large carnivores in consortia would facilitate streamlining of methods, their faster and wider adoption, and production of results at the large spatial scales that ultimately matter for the conservation of these charismatic species.