Genetic viability

To be genetically viable, a population of plants or animals requires a certain amount of genetic diversity and a certain population size. For long-term genetic viability, the population size should consist of enough breeding pairs to maintain genetic diversity. The precise effective population size can be calculated using a minimum viable population analysis. Higher genetic diversity and a larger population size will decrease the negative effects of genetic drift and inbreeding in a population. == Causes for decrease ==

or deforestation causing habitat fragmentation. If they are specific in their diets, this can also lead to habitat isolation and reproductive constraints, leading to greater population bottleneck, and decrease in genetic viability. Genetic viability of particular wolf populations A small highly inbred population of gray wolves (Canis lupus) residing in Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, USA has been undergoing population decline and is nearing extinction. These gray wolves have been experiencing severe inbreeding depression primarily determined by the homozygous expression of strongly deleterious recessive mutations leading to decreased genetic viability. Reduced genetic viability due to severe inbreeding was expressed as reduced reproduction and survival as well as specific defects such as malformed vertebrae, probable cataracts, syndactyly, an unusual "rope tail," and anomalous fur phenotypes. A separate inbred Scandinavian population of gray wolves (Canis lupus), also suffering from loss of genetic viability, is experiencing inbreeding depression likely due to the homozygous expression of deleterious recessive mutations. == Population conservation ==

Habitat protection is associated with more allelic richness and heterozygosity than in unprotected habitats. The minimum viable population needed to maintain genetic viability is where the loss of genetic variation because of small population size (genetic drift) is equal to genetic variation gained through mutation. When the numbers of one sex is too low, there may be a need for crossbreeding to maintain viability. == Analyzing ==

When genetic viability seems to be decreasing within a population, a population viability analysis (PVA) can be done to assess the risk of extinction of this species. The result of a PVA could determine whether further action is needed regarding the preservation of a species. == Applications ==

Genetic viability is applied by wildlife management staff in zoos, aquariums or other such ex situ habitats. == References ==