WEEK-13-Population Genetics and Interactions of Hatchery and Wild Fish
Genetic Variation, Population Structure and Biodiversity
• The existence of genetic variation is important to the long-term survival and fitness of a species.
•Genetic variation is important for the long-term survival of a species.
•Genetic variation can ensure the fitness of a species or population by giving the species or population the ability to adapt to changing environments.
• Many natural populations respond to different forms of selection, such as directional, bidirectional, cyclical and stabilizing selection, which help to ensure the maintenance of the genetic variability and/or fitness of population.
• The required number of immigrants increases with the census size of population; this is not the case in idealized, theoretical populations, in which the census and effective sizes are equal (Doyle, 2003).
•Migration can counteract the deleterious effects of inbreeding.
• If genetic variation enhances a species’ long-term survival, genetic variation also enhances global food security.