Genetics and Genomics in Wildlife Health and Conservation Research
A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2026 | Viewed by 175
Special Issue Editors
2. Albrecht Daniel Thaer Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Interests: conservation of endangered species; wildlife forensics and trade control; wildlife; conservation genetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Genetics and genomics are central to understanding, monitoring and improving wildlife health and conservation outcomes. By analysing genetic variation within and between populations, researchers can assess population structure, genetic diversity, reproductive success, and levels of inbreeding or outbreeding. These are key indicators of a species' resilience to disease, environmental change, and extinction risk.
In the field of wildlife health, genetic tools can be used to identify pathogens, track disease transmission and gain insight into host–pathogen interactions. For instance, molecular genetics can reveal genetic resistance or susceptibility to particular diseases, facilitating the early detection of outbreaks and enabling more targeted management strategies. Genetics and genomics also support wildlife forensics, enabling authorities to trace the origins of illegally traded animals or wildlife products.
In conservation research, genetics informs decisions about species management and recovery. Techniques such as DNA barcoding, population genomics and environmental DNA (eDNA) can be used to identify species, estimate population sizes and monitor rare or elusive animals without the need for invasive methods. Genetic data also guide captive breeding and reintroduction programmes, helping managers to maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding depression.
Overall, genetics provides a powerful, evidence-based foundation for assessing the health of wildlife and planning its conservation, linking molecular-level information to ecosystem-scale management and long-term species survival.
Thus, this Special Issue of Genes will focus on the recent advances in wildlife health and conservation research based on genetic and genomic techniques. Studies using genetic or genomic methods for species conservation or wildlife health purposes are invited to publish in this Special Issue. The species in question—whether animal, plant or fungal—play a secondary role. The SI focuses on the use of modern genetic and genomic methods.
Prof. Dr. Arne Ludwig
Prof. Dr. Zuogang Peng
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- wildlife
- animals
- plants
- fungi
- conservation
- health
- genetics
- genomics
- restoration
- release
- inbreeding
- outbreeding
- poaching
- trade
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