The Use of Molecular Markers in Neotropical Mammal Conservation

Abstract

In the last decades, molecular biology has developed techniques and methodologies for genetic analysis that have become very useful tools for a wide variety of studies in conservation. In this chapter, we will go through the uses and scopes of molecular markers concerning some of the most interesting topics in the conservation of mammals. We will carry out our review starting with the contributions of molecular markers from the individual level up to the species level, including forensic DNA, poaching and illegal traffic, inbreeding, mating systems, dispersal patterns, phylogeography, identification of Conservation Units and Evolutionarily Significant Units, gene flow and biological corridors, rewilding and reintroduction, ex-situ conservation, and identification of cryptic species. Finally, we will review some of the contributions from the use of the most modern techniques of genetic analysis such as Next-Generation Sequencing and the analysis of environmental and ancient DNA.