Conservation of genetic diversity using life history predictors of adaptive potential

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dc.contributor.authorGoertz, Alyssa
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeFraser, Kevin (Biological Sciences)
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeDetwiler, Jillian (Biological Sciences)
dc.contributor.supervisorGarroway, Colin
dc.date.accessioned2025-05-13T20:14:28Z
dc.date.available2025-05-13T20:14:28Z
dc.date.issued2025-04
dc.date.submitted2025-05-13T20:14:28Zen_US
dc.degree.disciplineBiological Sciences
dc.degree.levelBachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
dc.description.abstractBiodiversity loss is reducing population sizes globally, leading to a decline in genetic diversity. This is concerning, as genetic diversity is vital for species' survival and adaptation to future environmental change. Conservation frameworks, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, assess extinction risk but overlook genetic diversity and adaptive potential. This is primarily because genetic data is not available for most species. My project directly addresses the lack of consideration of genetic diversity conservation framework by examining the relationship between adaptive potential and easy-to-measure life history traits. If easy-to-measure traits reflect adaptive potential, they can be used to guide conservation where direct estimates of adaptive potential are lacking. Adaptive potential reflects the additive genetic variance (VA) underlying fitness. VA reflects genetic diversity and capacity for adaptation and is used in calculating heritability. I hypothesized that life history traits (e.g., body mass, longevity, fecundity, and age of maturity) predict adaptive potential, measured by heritability. The data for heritability were derived from studies by Mittel et al. (2015), Holstad et al. (2024), and life history trait data from Myhrvold et al. (2016). Data inclusion consisted of heritability measured for morphological, life history, behavioural, and physiological traits, for terrestrial vertebrate species and from wild populations. The relationship between heritability and life history traits was measured using generalized linear mixed models. My results revealed significant relationships between heritability and life history traits. Larger body mass and longer lifespan were associated with low heritability, while larger litter/clutch sizes and earlier ages of maturity were associated with high adaptive potential. Morphological heritability estimates exhibited stronger correlations with life history traits compared to other heritability estimates, suggesting they may be a more reliable proxy for predicting adaptive potential. These findings highlight the potential of using life history traits to infer species’ genetic diversity and adaptive potential, offering a valuable tool to improve conservation prioritization.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1993/39081
dc.language.isoeng
dc.subjectgenetic diversity conservation
dc.subjectgenetic diversity
dc.subjectbiodiversity loss
dc.subjectconservation
dc.subjectadaptive potential
dc.subjectlife history traits
dc.titleConservation of genetic diversity using life history predictors of adaptive potential
local.author.affiliationFaculty of Science::Department of Biological Sciences
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