Genetic variation, which is generated by mutation, recombination and gene flow, can reduce
the mean fitness of a population, both now and in the future. This 'genetic load'has been …

Progress in genome sequencing now enables the large-scale generation of reference
genomes. Various international initiatives aim to generate reference genomes representing …

High-quality and complete reference genome assemblies are fundamental for the
application of genomics to biology, disease, and biodiversity conservation. However, such …

Understanding the factors that cause endangered populations to either grow or decline is
crucial for preserving biodiversity. Conservation efforts often address extrinsic threats, such …

Deleterious mutations decrease reproductive fitness and are ubiquitous in genomes. Given
that many organisms face ongoing threats of extinction, there is interest in elucidating the …

Our ability to assess the threat posed by the genetic load to small and declining populations
has been greatly improved by advances in genome sequencing and computational …

As of 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List estimates
that more than 32% of fungal, plant, and animal species are threatened with extinction. This …

Although genetic diversity has been recognized as a key component of biodiversity since the
first Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1993, it has rarely been included in …

When new mutations arise at functional sites they are more likely to impair than improve
fitness. If not removed by purifying selection, such deleterious mutations will generate a …

Highlights•Human disturbances are driving the current biodiversity crisis.•Fundamental
biodiversity challenges include biodiversity discovery, loss, and preservation.•The omics …