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Research Groups

Conservation Genetics and Wildlife Management

This Research Group aims to assess the biological and genetic diversity of animal populations in order to promote conservation and management action plans. By combining ecological tools with innovative molecular genetics methods, the main projects developed in this Group focus on endangered or threatened species, namely the wolf (Canis lupus), wild cat (Felis sylvestris), purple gallinule (Porphyrio porphyrio), as well as prey species in Mediterranean ecosystems, namely the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), hares (Lepus sp) and partridges (Alectroris rufa).

The objectives of these projects involve the evaluation of temporal and spatial population dynamics, analysis of natural and anthropogenetic hybridization, determination of species and individual assignment, monitoring genetic diversity during captive breeding programs and introduction schemes, and resolving taxonomic uncertainties using phylogenetic approaches.

A second major concern of this Research Group is the knowledge of levels and distribution of genetic variation of natural and managed populations, in order to assess isolation, migration and fragmentation issues, which are prerequisites for the establishment of effective and efficient conservation and management practices.

Finally, this Group aims to develop molecular or ecological innovative methods with the purpose of improving conservation and management measures.