Genetic threats to population persistence

摘要

Human activities are having a devastating effect on the survival of natural populations. The reduction in population size and changes in the connectivity of populations due to human disturbances enhance the effect of demographic and genetic factors that can lead to population extinction. This article provides an overview of our current understanding of the role of genetic factors in the extinction of populations. The three primary genetic factors are loss of genetic variability, inbreeding depression, and accumulation of mildly deleterious mutations. The effects of these factors are discussed in the context of three different scenarios: isolated populations, local populations with immigration, and metapopulations. [References: 87]