http://hdl.handle.net/2440/74194 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:22:17 GMT 2013-06-20T09:22:17Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/76565 Title: Last chance to see: the role of phylogeography in the preservation of tropical biodiversity Author: Macqueen, Peggy Ellen Abstract: Habitat loss and anthropogenic climate change are primary threats to global biological diversity and ecosystem stability. International efforts to halt the effects of climate change and to slow the loss of biodiversity are now focused on the tropical biome. Specifically, and in recognition of the substantial contribution to climate warming made by deforestation in developing countries, the UN-REDD+ programme has been established to provide incentives for stopping tropical deforestation. This programme also places emphasis on rewarding measures for the conservation of biodiversity. However, the effective integration of carbon storage and biodiversity conservation goals in countries participating in the REDD+ programme will require greater research effort. In particular, in order to maximize our chances of preserving biological diversity, it will be essential to consider diversity at a population level, as well as at a species and ecosystem level. Phylogeographic studies should be an integral part of this population-level research effort as they can be used to document regional biological diversity, provide baseline genetic data to monitor changes in genetic diversity, allow the identification of evolutionary refugia, and provide evolutionary context for current patterns of diversity. The REDD+ initiative has the potential to provide an internationally well-supported framework for reducing forest habitat loss and protecting tropical diversity, and may, therefore, provide the impetus needed for increased biodiversity research effort. In conjunction with the recent development of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), phylogeographic research may now be considered more explicitly in the development of national environmental policies and in planning for biodiversity conservation. Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/76565 2011-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/76198 Title: A lost link between a flightless parrot and a parasitic plant and the potential role of coprolites in conservation paleobiology Author: Wood, Jamie Russell; Wilmshurst, Janet Mary; Worthy, Trevor Henry; Holzapfel, Avi S.; Cooper, Alan Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/76198 2011-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/68941 Title: Dentine and cementum as sources of nuclear DNA for use in human identification Author: Higgins, Denice; Kaidonis, John Aristidis; Austin, Jeremy James; Townsend, Grant Clement; James, Helen; Hughes, Toby Estcourt Abstract: Teeth are increasingly utilized as a source of nuclear DNA to aid identification of human remains. DNA extraction and the results of genetic analysis from these tissues are extremely variable and to some extent unpredictable. This study examines the availability of nuclear DNA in different areas of the dental hard tissues and explores the extent and nature of the variation within and between individuals. Results of this study indicate that nuclear DNA is available in widely variable quantities in dentine and cementum. This variation exists within teeth and between teeth, even between comparable teeth from the same individual. The quantity of DNA available in dentine is affected by age and dental disease, whereas that in cementum is not. Forensically useful genetic profiles were obtained from as little as 20 mg of tooth powder, thus avoiding the necessity for complete destruction of the tooth. A better understanding of why there is more DNA in one tooth tissue or region compared with another, and of the effects of disease and age, will aid in the selection of which tooth and tissue to sample and will increase the validity of the use of teeth as a source of nuclear DNA for human identification. Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/68941 2010-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/68930 Title: Using DNA from museum specimens to preserve the integrity of evolutionary significant unit boundaries in threatened species Author: Paplinska, Justyna Z.; Taggart, David Augustine; Corrigan, Tony; Eldridge, Mark D. B.; Austin, Jeremy James Abstract: Use of DNA from museum samples is a powerful tool to directly establish historical ESU boundaries in areas where populations of a species have been extirpated. The brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) has suffered extensive reductions in range and population size since European settlement in Australia. Populations of this species have been grouped into three putative evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) which were likely once contiguous along the south-east coast of Australia. However, there is currently a gap of ∼320 km between extant populations of the southern and central ESUs. Conservation plans for the brush-tailed rock-wallaby include re-introductions of animals to locations within their former range. In order to preserve the historic geographic integrity of the genetic lineages within the species, it is necessary to map the boundary between the southern ESU and central ESU to allow more informed management decisions about which lineages should be used to re-stock specific geographic locations. We have extracted DNA from samples from museum specimens that come from locations between the southernmost extant colony of the central ESU and the remaining wild colony of the southern ESU. We sequenced a 177 bp interval of the left domain of the mitochondrial DNA control region and used phylogenetic analysis to group obtained sequences with previously published sequences belonging to the three ESUs. We have extended the range of the central ESU southwards and the range of the southern ESU northwards such that the gap between the ESUs is now approximately 160 km. We recommend that, where suitable historical museum collections exist, this technique be incorporated into re-introduction plans for other threatened species. Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/68930 2010-12-31T13:30:00Z