A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Australian National University (ANU) has uncovered a hidden genetic threat to the critically endangered regent honeyeater, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences. By comparing DNA from museum specimens over 100 years old with modern samples, the team found that while the bird’s population has plummeted by 99%, its genetic diversity has declined by only 9%—a disparity signaling a looming risk of further genetic erosion.
The regent honeyeater, once abundant with hundreds of thousands of individuals, now numbers fewer than 300. The study reveals a “time-lag” in genetic erosion, where genetic diversity declines more slowly than population size. Dr. Ross Crates from ANU warns that this delay masks ongoing genetic risks, with simulations predicting accelerated diversity loss and potential inbreeding.
To assess future challenges, the team combined genomic analysis with environmental modeling. Historical records and climate projections show that habitat loss, urban development, and climate change have severely reduced the bird’s breeding and feeding grounds. These threats are expected to worsen in the coming decades.
“This work highlights how genomic data and species distribution modeling can paint a fuller picture of biodiversity decline,” said co-author Professor David Nogués-Bravo. Associate Professor Hernán E. Morales, who led the study, added, “Genomic erosion is a stealthy but urgent threat. The regent honeyeater’s genetic diversity is already declining, and environmental pressures will only hasten this process.”
The findings underscore the need for immediate action to protect the regent honeyeater, such as prioritizing habitats, optimizing breeding programs, and monitoring for inbreeding. The study, published in [Journal Name], serves as a critical reminder of the hidden genetic risks facing endangered species in the midst of a global biodiversity crisis.
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