Alex Fraik
@akfraik.bsky.social
📤 902
📥 587
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Research scientist | Evolution, pop gen & conservation genomics | views & typos are my own | 🐟🐺🧬
reposted by
Alex Fraik
Joachim Mergeay
about 22 hours ago
Atlantic Salmon in Spain is on the verge of extinction, with only 106 specimens caught in Asturias and THREE in Cantabria.
add a skeleton here at some point
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New genetics study by O. Malley and colleagues in the Klamath River provides a critical genetic baseline for characterizing the response of O. mykiss to the removal of 4 dams! The Klamath River dam removal project is now the largest in the world
#gtseq
#consgen
🧬🐟
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Characterizing the Distribution of <fc><fi>Oncorhynchus mykiss</fi></fc> Genetic Diversity in the Klamath River Basin Before Dam Removal
Genetic assessments serve as powerful tools to evaluate the effects of anthropogenic habitat fragmentation on natural populations. In the Klamath River Basin, construction of four dams from 1912 to 1...
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eva.70297
about 21 hours ago
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Another fisheries genetics job working with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Comission!
#consgen
#fisheries
#fishgen
nwifc.org/fisheries-ge...
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Fisheries Geneticist - NWIFC | Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Download the full Fisheries Geneticist EXTERNAL Announcement (PDF) Position Overview: The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) is seeking a
https://nwifc.org/fisheries-geneticist-nwifc/
18 days ago
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Alex Fraik
Craig Primmer
19 days ago
Thanks to a couple of recent Ws on the funding front, we have 3 open postdoc positions in Helsinki, Finland in the field of salmonid fish ecological and evolutionary genomics. DL 7.8. More details in advert:
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
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Alex Fraik
Prosanta Chakrabarty
22 days ago
Y'all - the Smithsonian is hiring three new curators - herpetology, ichthyology, and ornithology! Notably, this is a 2nd fish curator position - i.e., not the same as the one advertised last month. So if you applied for that one apply again.
www.usajobs.gov/job/873849000
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Alex Fraik
Carl Zimmer
23 days ago
The US government is entering a partnership to store frozen cells and other biological samples from endangered and threatened species with Colossal, a private company best known for claiming to "de-extinct" dire wolves. Story by me &
@catrineinhorn.bsky.social
Gift link:
nyti.ms/43Rzhfw
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https://nyti.ms/43Rzhfw
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NOAA Fisheries JOB ALERTS @ nwfsc! 2 positions for quantitative eDNA modeling
www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewD...
www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewD...
1 to facilitate lab management and national 'omics initiatives
www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewD...
#fishgen
#consgen
#edna
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Biologist (Omics)
This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Vacancies may be available in each listed location. Additional duty lo...
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/874205800
23 days ago
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State of California is hiring for a fisheries geneticist!
#consgen
#fishgen
www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-...
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Senior Molecular Ecologist | West Sacramento, CA
Jun 17 - California Department of Water Resources hiring Senior Molecular Ecologist in West Sacramento, California on Conservation Job Board. Discover the latest conservation jobs and internships
https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-senior-molecular-ecologist-west-sacramento-california/6822622151?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin
25 days ago
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Neat postdoc with
@wilderness.org
doing individual based movement models for caribou!
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Careers
https://thewildernesssociety.careers.hibob.com/jobs/25324d21-d227-44e6-a024-71bfe9ea2221
28 days ago
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Some federal positions coming back online, Smithsonian is hiring for a "supervisory biologist" curator!
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Supervisory Biologist
The Smithsonian Institution is the worlds largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in This position is located in Smithsonian's N...
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/870532600
about 1 month ago
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This is a neat resource for prospective students looking for Eco/Evo opportunities and PIs looking to recruit!
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Ecology/Evolution/Marine Biology labs recruiting for Fall 2027 (Responses)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Lhg-HevIQq4CVesQL210WPNdgXC5pwRUoxPJBwr8ET4/edit?gid=845849277#gid=845849277
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Joanna Masel
about 2 months ago
Our new paper
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
on long-term genetic threats to small populations finds that "mutational meltdown" (bad mutations fixing) is less of a problem than "mutational drought" (too few good new mutations)
@wmawass.bsky.social
@uliseshmc.bsky.social
@jeremyjberg.bsky.social
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Extinction vortices are driven more by a shortage of beneficial mutations than by deleterious mutation accumulation
Abstract. Habitat loss contributes to extinction risk in multiple ways. Genetically, small populations can face an ‘extinction vortex’—a positive feedback
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0600
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Laura Bertola
about 2 months ago
Lag in Effective Population Size Decline Amid Demographic Collapse: A Case Study of the Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
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https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mec.70410
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Alex Fraik
Paige Byerly, PhD
2 months ago
Excited to have our new garden dormouse paper out! Small mammals are underrepresented in conservation research. Here we explore patterns of genetic erosion in garden dormice, considered the fastest-declining mammal in Europe, in its core German range
#consgen
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
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Genomic signatures of population isolation in an endangered European rodent - BMC Genomics
Background The garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) is one of the fastest-declining mammals in Europe, and action is needed to prevent further population losses. The primary causes of declines are not ...
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12864-026-12950-1?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20260518&utm_content=10.1186/s12864-026-12950-1
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Ana Ramón-Laca
2 months ago
🐟 monitoring can be non-invasive. 🐟💧 = eDNA + eRNA Check out this comprehensive perspective article on how eNA can improve fisheries monitoring without harming the fish! The aim is to move beyond species detection, from estimating abundance to capturing reproductive status and lots in between.
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Prospects of multipurpose biomonitoring for fisheries assessment based on environmental nucleic acids
Methods using environmental nucleic acids have become highly effective for monitoring aquatic biodiversity, with an array of suitable use cases, including metrics for fisheries assessment. Traditiona...
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70484
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Another fisheries
#consgen
job alert! The Northern Gulf Institute at Mississippi State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to lead the development and application of molecular assays to support fisheries and biodiversity monitoring
#eDNA
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Careers | MSU Jobs
https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/en-us/job/510622/postdoctoral-associate
about 2 months ago
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The US Forest Service National Genomics Center is hiring an eDNA lab technician! Come work with us on cool genetics projects in Missoula
#ConsGen
#eDNA
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Environmental DNA Lab Technician
...
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/A1ADEF5691B02D64E998539442696918/jobs/393590
2 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Anne Hilborn
3 months ago
Permanent job in Sacramento! Sr environmental scientist in a good unit. Manage acoustic data, implement automated approaches for aggregating and summarizing wildlife data, carry out advanced quantitative analyses that integrate multiple data sources.
calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...
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Alex Fraik
Jazlyn Mooney
3 months ago
I am hiring a popgen postdoc! Looking for a creative scientist to join us at USC to investigate recessive variation and complex traits in model or non-model species. The project is funded by a multi-year NIH grant, contract can be renewed. Job add & details 👇🏽
usccareers.usc.edu/job/los-ange...
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MT Field Tech alert! Come work on a project looking at co-evolution of Tailed Frogs and Cutthroat Trout in Montana in response to climate change
#consgen
#fieldbiology
3 months ago
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Looking forward to reading this 👀
#consgen
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Marty Kardos
4 months ago
Very cool work based on an amazing long term study of bighorn sheep: No Pedigree, No Problem: Genomic Inbreeding Tracks Genetic Rescue With High Resolution - Mitchell et al:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
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No Pedigree, No Problem: Genomic Inbreeding Tracks Genetic Rescue With High Resolution
With increasing habitat fragmentation and population isolation, inbreeding becomes a pressing concern for the persistence of wildlife populations. Detailed inbreeding monitoring is crucial for assess...
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eva.70216
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New advancements for plexing in
#gtseq
with PlexSeq! Neat case study from Matt Campbell and the Eagle Genetics Lab team for PBT and grandparentage analyses in Chinook Salmon in the Snake River
#consgen
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
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Development of a powerful PlexSeq™ SNP panel for grandparentage studies for snake river fall Chinook salmon - Conservation Genetics Resources
Interactions between hatchery-origin fish and wild populations of salmonids raise concerns about genetic diversity, productivity, and ecological integrity. Monitoring hatchery-origin reproduction in n...
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12686-026-01415-y
4 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Anna Brüniche-Olsen
4 months ago
Escaping bottlenecks: The demographic path to genetic recovery in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) 🐨 🧬
#consgen
#popgen
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Escaping bottlenecks: The demographic path to genetic recovery in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Population bottlenecks can lead to evolutionary dead ends by eroding genetic diversity and intensifying inbreeding. Although theory predicts possible escape routes, direct observations of this process...
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz1430
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Alex Fraik
Joachim Mergeay
5 months ago
Conservation genomics and assisted introgression is saving the American chestnut from extermination by invasive non-native pathogens.
#consgen
add a skeleton here at some point
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Anyone out there know of anyone using or developing
#gtseq
to genotype Brown Trout?
#consgen
#fishgen
#fisheries
5 months ago
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AmpliRAD: A New Method Combining Amplicon and RAD Sequencing - Thompson - 2026 - Ecology and Evolution - Wiley Online Library
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
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AmpliRAD: A New Method Combining Amplicon and RAD Sequencing
We present AmpliRAD, a novel sequencing method that integrates a multiplex PCR step into traditional RAD-seq protocols to enable the simultaneous generation of genome-wide SNP data and targeted genot...
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.72990
5 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra
5 months ago
Fun news!
@gcbias.bsky.social
and I are teaching a 2-week online population genetics workshop this summer to raise money for the Center for Population Biology at UC Davis. We're trying to gauge interest -- please fill this out if you might be interested! And please share broadly!
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Davis Summer Population Genomics Program
Want to learn population genetics? Please fill out this form to indicate your potential interest in a 2-week intensive online summer population genetics course taught by Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra and Graham...
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PqXEKkW_0HXbdge1yXKGXFIf7NDjH72jTfIaEZThHhA/edit
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Alex Fraik
Kiva Oken
6 months ago
📣Job alert!📣 Working as a federal scientist is complicated right now, but we are actually hiring. One *permanent* stock assessment position on my team at NOAA NWFSC will open for 7 days in early-mid Feb. Will be a shared ad across several science centers. Get those usajobs resumes polished...
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Joachim Mergeay
6 months ago
We have compiled a special issue for
@evolappjournal.bsky.social
on Effective population size in Conservation and Biodiversity Monitoring, dedicated to the late Michael W. Bruford. This SI is a must read for everyone who struggles with what "effective population size" means.
#consgen
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The Importance of Effective Population Size in Conservation and Biodiversity Monitoring
Effective population size (Ne) is a key concept in biology and conservation. Stripped to its bare essentials, it reflects how much genetic drift a population experiences, expressed as a number of ind...
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eva.70196#
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Nicolas Dussex
6 months ago
Interested in👇 ? - museomics: genome erosion, adaptation 🦌 🦜 🐬 - marcogenomics of sea warming (methods dev. or empirical data) 🌊 🐟🦭🐋 Check this call (2 y. postdoc) and get in touch to discuss potential projects (deadline 31.03.26)
#popgen
#consgen
#evolbiol
👉
www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/...
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DDLS Research School Postdoc call 2026
Call for Academic and Industrial Postdoctoral Fellowships in Data-Driven Life Science 2026 Generic Description of the DDLS Postdoc Program The SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Drive...
https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/ddls-research-school/ddls-research-school-postdoc-call-2026/
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Travis Seaborn
6 months ago
Kind of a late breaking MS opportunity in my lab - please share! Hoping to have someone this summer for some of the before data collection prior to a restoration project. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions.
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Job alert: NOAA NWFSC & UW are looking for a postdoc (ASAP) in Seattle study foraging ecology of Cook Inlet beluga whales using eDNA. Genetics/ecology/eDNA experience preferred. Interested candidates reach out to
[email protected]
or
[email protected]
directly.
#eDNA
#ConsGen
6 months ago
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Work by Bell, Kovach, Whiteley and colleagues demonstrates that even inbred trout source populations can be used for genetic rescue. Great news for folks considering translocation efforts, but are faced with the challenge of identifying suitable (genetically diverse) donor populations
#ConsGen
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Inbred source populations result in genetic rescue of imperiled trout populations
Genetic rescue—assisted translocation to reduce inbreeding and increase population viability—is a promising conservation strategy for mitigating the e…
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320725007141#f0015
6 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Laura Bertola
7 months ago
Evaluating inbreeding and assessing the risk of outbreeding depression in genetic rescue using whole-genome sequence data
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
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PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2526216122
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Alex Fraik
Ira Cooke
about 1 year ago
Putting Structural Variants Into Practice: The Role of Chromosomal Inversions in the Management of Marine Environments. New
@marine-omics.bsky.social
paper by Nadja Schneller with
@janstrugnell.bsky.social
,
@mattfield100.bsky.social
and Kerstin Johannesson out today
doi.org/10.1111/mec....
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Putting Structural Variants Into Practice: The Role of Chromosomal Inversions in the Management of Marine Environments
Major threats to marine species and ecosystems include overfishing, invasive species, pollution and climate change. The changing climate not only imposes direct threats through the impacts of severe ....
http://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17776
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Alex Fraik
Marty Kardos
7 months ago
www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...
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Multispecies pangenomes reveal a pervasive influence of population size on structural variation
Structural variants (SVs) are widespread in vertebrate genomes, yet their evolutionary dynamics remain poorly understood. Using 45 long-read de novo genome assemblies and pangenome tools, we analyze S...
https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.adw1931
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Alex Fraik
Wellcome Sanger Institute
7 months ago
Join our Tree of Life Programme as a Group Leader in Biodiversity Genomics at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Lead ambitious, large-scale genomics research to understand life’s diversity on Earth. 🔗 Learn more and apply:
sanger.wd103.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Wellco...
📅 Closing date: 8 February 2026
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Alex Fraik
Helmut Hillebrand
7 months ago
Flathead Lake Biological Station
@umflbs.bsky.social
searches for a new director following
@drlimnology.bsky.social
end of 2026. See details 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Judith Mank
8 months ago
Team fish - we need your help! We are trying to build a database of all the fish chromosome-scale genomes where sex chromosomes have been identified. Have you build one or some? Do you know someone who has? Can you post the link in the comments? Please spread the word and repost! Thank you!
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Alex Fraik
Laura Bertola
8 months ago
The value of structural variants to conservation genomics in the pangenome era
academic.oup.com/jhered/advan...
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The value of structural variants to conservation genomics in the pangenome era
Abstract. Structural variants (SVs) comprise an axis of genetic diversity with strong consequences for phenotype and fitness, making them a potentially imp
https://academic.oup.com/jhered/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jhered/esaf098/8341471
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Ancestors of Fishers translocated decades ago into the Rockies in northern ID and MT persist!
#consgen
#fishers
academic.oup.com/jmammal/adva...
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The genetic implications of translocations on Fisher (Pekania pennanti) populations in Montana and Idaho
Genetic structure of fishers in the US Northern Rocky Mountains is influenced by translocation history. Fishers in Northern Idaho and Montana are derived f
https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jmammal/gyaf065/8324496
8 months ago
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reposted by
Alex Fraik
Laura Bertola
8 months ago
We have another publication out! 🎉🎉🎉 “Hybrids along a natural–anthropogenic gradient: improving policy and management across all levels of biodiversity.” We explore how to deal with hybrids in conservation — scientifically and practically. A thread 🧵
conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
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Hybrids Along a Natural‐Anthropogenic Gradient: Improving Policy and Management Across All Levels of Biodiversity
Hybridization has long been a central topic in evolution and conservation. Recent developments in genomics have increased the ability to detect hybridization, defined here as breeding between species....
https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/conl.13158?af=R
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Alex Fraik
🧬Jacob L Steenwyk
8 months ago
NEW pub in
@science.org
🥳 Is it sponges (panels A & B) or comb jellies (C & D) that root the animal tree of life? For over 15 years,
#phylogenomic
studies have been divided. We provide new evidence suggesting that... 🔗:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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Alex Fraik
Dr. K. Lotterhos
8 months ago
I'm excited to read this paper: "Genetic offset and vulnerability modeling under climate change scenarios: common misinterpretations and violations of evolutionary principles"
doi.org/10.1093/evol...
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Genetic offset and vulnerability modeling under climate change scenarios: common misinterpretations and violations of evolutionary principles
Abstract. Genetic offset models have become a popular component of the landscape genetics toolbox, with over 600 peer-reviewed publications applying these
https://doi.org/10.1093/evolut/qpaf216
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Alex Fraik
Dr Simon Goodman
8 months ago
New PhD studentship opportunity in my lab & with collaborators from the Pinniped Genomes Consortium. Come help us unravel the genomics of seal physiological super powers! Closing date 7th January 2026 🧪🦭🧬🌍🦑🐳
#marine
#mammals
#consgen
#popgen
#phylo
#molevol
#evolution
yes-dtn.ac.uk/research/the...
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The evolutionary genomics of life-history adaptations in pinnipeds - Yorkshire Environmental Sciences • Doctoral Training Network
Project summary Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, fur seals and walrus) are keystone marine predators, and sentinels for marine ecosystem health. Advances in genomic technology open up the possibility to u...
https://yes-dtn.ac.uk/research/the-evolutionary-genomics-of-life-history-adaptations-in-pinnipeds/
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Neat opportunity at George Mason University for
#consbio
#consgen
undergrads. Paid NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
smconservation.gmu.edu/nsf-reu/
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NSF-REU - Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation
https://smconservation.gmu.edu/nsf-reu/
8 months ago
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Alex Fraik
Meaghan Clark
11 months ago
Thrilled to have a new paper out where we use 12+ years of monitoring data to document the impacts of inbreeding on fitness in eastern massasauga rattlesnakes!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
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Inbreeding reduces fitness in spatially structured populations of a threatened rattlesnake | PNAS
Small and fragmented populations are at high risk of local extinction, in part because of elevated inbreeding and subsequent inbreeding depression....
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501745122
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Alex Fraik
Maria Akopyan, PhD
10 months ago
Now published in Cell! We found that ~15% of SNPs from divergent refs did not liftover as SNPs in the gray fox ref—half mapped to monomorphic sites, half failed to map. Co-authored with Matthew Genchev,
@elliecat.bsky.social
, and
@jazlynmooney.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
add a skeleton here at some point
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Alex Fraik
Patrícia Pečnerová
9 months ago
All those questions about inbreeding in conservation that you were afraid to ask. A bunch of early career scientists is here to explain something that even Wright and Fisher couldn't agree on, the (not so) simple question of what is inbreeding.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
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Q&A: inbreeding and its implications for conservation - BMC Biology
Inbreeding depression plays a role in the decline, endangerment, and extinction of small populations, and thus inbreeding has received much attention in conservation biology. The term inbreeding is us...
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12915-025-02386-6
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