09/02/2025
Exciting news from the journal Evolutionary Applications! A new open-access paper, “Conservation in the Anthropocene: Using Genetics to Understand the Past and Manage for the Future of the Threatened Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat,” has just been published.
This groundbreaking study combines genetics, landscape analysis, and population modeling to better understand the challenges facing the Stephens’ kangaroo rat, a species found only in southern California, and to chart a path for its long-term survival.
Key takeaways:
🔹 Central populations maintain the most genetic diversity, while edge populations are at greater risk.
🔹 Roads and development, not just natural barriers, are major drivers of genetic isolation.
🔹 Repeated, well-planned translocations combined with habitat restoration are vital to preventing extinction.
We’re proud that RCHCA’s Director, Brian Shomo, contributed to this effort, ensuring that the work directly supports on-the-ground conservation planning in Riverside County and beyond.
This is a strong example of how collaboration between scientists, land managers, and conservation agencies can create innovative strategies to protect threatened species in fragmented landscapes. Congratulations to Debra Shier, Rachel Chock and their team!
Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.70152
Habitat loss and fragmentation are major drivers of biodiversity decline, reducing connectivity among populations and leading to genetic isolation, loss of diversity, increased inbreeding, and reduce...
