From Molecules to Management: Demystifying Genetics for Nongame Species

Anna L. Bass
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653. Phone (353)-392-9617, abass@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu

The applications of molecular techniques to studies of nongame species are numerous in kind and scope. Advances in molecular biology have increased the ease at which these techniques are applied to the assessment of small or threatened populations. Information regarding the divergence or similarity of molecular markers in conjunction with available morphological, ecological, and behavioral information yields a more complete picture of organisms at either the population or species level. When other forms of information are not available, genetic data can identify management units or evolutionary significant units. Many molecular techniques are available to resolve the status of populations or assess higher-level taxonomy. Knowledge of the applicability and limits of these techniques is essential to a better understanding of the profuse amount of genetic information generated today. Coding genes, Variable Nucleotide Tandom Repeats (VNTRs), and introns are several types of units of analysis currently used to examine populations. The potential utility of these data to the implementation of management plans for endangered or threatened species will be illustrated using examples from the southeastern region.