The American Genetic Association

Photo: Becky Matsubara
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: https://www.beeclab.org
#JHered #CCGP

Did you know there is only one species of the Babbler Radiation in the Americas? Through the CCGP, the wrentit, Chamaea fasciata, now has a genome assembly. This resource will advance studies on biogeography, adaptation, and conservation of this iconic bird.

Authors reviewed the last decade of ConGen Global (2015–2025), highlighting its contributions to conservation genetics education, its role in standardizing and disseminating new genomic methods, and its influence on policy-relevant research agendas. doi.org/10.1093/jher...

The ConGen Global (conservationgenetics...) course ‘Recent Advances in Conservation Genetics’ was established to educate & empower new generations of researchers and practitioners in genetic and genomic approaches to biodiversity conservation.

These results provide a baseline for future comparison as part of a genetic monitoring framework.
Photo: Christopher Michel
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: www.researchgate.net...
#JHered #Conservation

Now in Advance Access: 🦬 Recent work using a SNP array reveals that genetic analysis of American bison at The Nature Conservancy’s American Prairie grasslands shows high diversity, low inbreeding, and no signs of cattle introgression.

Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: www.ptrnguyen.com
#JHered #CCGP

Another plant from the CCGP: a near-chromosome-level genome of the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)! 🌺🌱 This species serves as a key model for studying plant adaptation across diverse climates.
Photo: Elizabeth Ryan

Photo: John Doyen
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: scholar.google.com/c...
#JHered

Excited to announce a reference genome for Mimulus laciniatus, an alpine endemic of the Sierra Nevada! 🏔️🌱 This CCGP resource advances our understanding of adaptation in marginal habitats and supports further genetic studies of monkeyflowers.

Photo: John Doyen
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: scholar.google.com/c...
#JHered

Excited to announce a reference genome for Mimulus laciniatus, an alpine endemic of the Sierra Nevada! 🏔️🌱 This CCGP resource advances our understanding of adaptation in marginal habitats and supports further genetic studies of monkeyflowers.

Photo: H. Zell
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: scholar.google.com/c...

Here's another genome from the CCGP, the rough limpet, Lottia scabra! 🦪🌊 This resource is useful for investigating genomic adaptation across the California Transition Zone, aiding conservation efforts, and understanding of environmental responses.

Environmental impacts may influence reproductive success— a key insight for improving conservation efforts.
Paper: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: www.alexandradecandi...
#JHered

🐾Conservation challenge: In ex situ settings, black-footed ferrets show increased sperm DNA methylation and over 500 differentially methylated regions linked to reproduction and development.
Photo: J. Michael Lockhart/USFWS

This assembly provides another resource for advancing research in snake taxonomy, evolution, and conservation.
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
#JHered

Here's a beauty of an annotated genome for the beauty snake!
Using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C tech, the authors assembled a 1.62 Gb genome with 22,246 genes and a BUSCO score of over 98%.
Photo: Glenbrooks, Wikimedia

These genomes will help refine taxonomy, inform management strategies, and support efforts to protect these iconic species in a changing world.
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: www.researchgate.net...
#JHered

Here are reference genomes for Antipodean and Gibson’s albatrosses! 🐦 These seabirds are critically threatened by bycatch, and understanding their population structure is key for conservation.
Photo: JJ Harrison, Wikimedia

With its annotation, this resource advances our understanding of Gambelia diversity, hybridization, and evolution.
Paper: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: mcguire.berkeley.edu
#JHered

Here's the first chromosome-level genome assembly of the long-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii), part of the California Conservation Genomics Project! 🦎
Photo: Connor Long, Wikimedia

This genome will help unravel migration, adaptation, and conservation insights.
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: www.researchgate.net...
#JHered #OpenAccess

More from the CCGP, this time a chromosome-level genome for the pink volcano barnacle (Tetraclita rubescens), a species expanding its range along the eastern Pacific.
Photo: Peter D Tillman, wikimedia

This high-quality genome will advance research on conservation, habitat connectivity, and adaptation.
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding authors: www.skyisland.in klvinay.weebly.com
#JHered

🐦 Recently available via Advance Access: the first genome assembly of the White-bellied Sholakili/Blue Robin (Sholicola albiventris), an endemic bird of India’s Western Ghats.

My Site Phylogeography. Hybrid zones. Host-parasite networks.  ​ Genotype -> phenotype. I use genomic methods to investigate evolutionary responses of wildlife to changing environments. 

His research on red-backed voles so far reveals unidirectional mitochondrial gene flow and highlights mechanisms of rapid adaptation. We are excited to see what he discovers next!
His website:

Check out our newest EECG Embarkation post from Ben Wiens! blog.theaga.org/eecg...
Ben is using his award to investigate questions such as: Why is mitochondrial introgression so common in nature despite potential mitonuclear incompatibilities?

Their findings underscore the importance of incorporating diverse germplasm to enhance climate-ready varieties.
Paper here: doi.org/10.1093/jher...
Corresponding author: mbkantarlab.weebly.com
#JHered

🌱 As climate variability impacts agriculture, identifying genetic factors for environmental adaptation is key. This study uses environmental genomic selection on 149 Cannabis sativa samples, revealing insights into local adaptation & resilience traits.