The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences recently hosted a seminar titled: The DNA and Conservation – Genetics in Action, presented by Dr Susan Miller from the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town.
Conservation genetics – a relatively new field first introduced in scientific literature in the 1970s – has grown rapidly over the past five decades. Advances in technology have made genetic testing increasingly powerful and accessible, enabling its application across a wide range of conservation priorities.
Genetic tools can support species and subspecies delineation, population genetics, and hybrid detection – all of which inform evidence-based conservation planning and management.
Dr Miller, who serves as Scientific Coordinator at the Max Planck–UCT Centre for Behaviour and Coevolution, is particularly interested in the application of science to conservation challenges, with a focus on genetics. During the seminar, she shared scientific insights and practical case studies showing how genetic data can support conservation efforts globally.
“We’ve seen a 20-fold increase in conservation genetics publications between the 1970s and the 2020s, which speaks volumes about its growing impact,” she said. “Genetics allows us to understand the past, assess the present, and guide the future of conservation management.”
Dr Miller highlighted several landmark studies – including the genetic rescue of the highly isolated Florida panther population. In this case, the introduction of individuals from Texas helped restore genetic diversity and reverse the effects of inbreeding.
Closer to home, she shared the success of a lion translocation initiative in KwaZulu-Natal. In the early 2000s, lions were introduced from another reserve to address inbreeding within a small, isolated population. Genetic analyses conducted in 2011 and 2013 revealed increased heterozygosity and allelic richness – confirming the effectiveness of the intervention.
“This work allowed us to demonstrate that genetic rescue, when planned carefully, can restore diversity and support long-term viability,” she said.
Dr Miller also discussed the evolution of genetic tools – from allozymes in the 1970s to microsatellites, SNPs, and now whole-genome sequencing. While newer technologies offer deeper insight, she cautioned that they remain costly and require advanced computational infrastructure.The selection of tools, she added, must always align with clearly defined conservation questions and fieldwork realities.
Dr Miller with Prof Dan Parker from UMP's School of Biology and Environmental Sciences.
Long-term Insights and Global Case Studies
She presented findings from a long-term study on dingoes in Australia, which examined the genetic impact of historic culling across four management zones. Spanning nearly two decades, the research found a measurable decline in genetic diversity, with no clear evidence of genetic structuring.
“This kind of result challenges how we manage genetically vulnerable populations – particularly when political or social pressure drives removals,” she said.
Another example addressed hybridisation risks in Namibia’s black-faced impala population. Genetic analysis identified potential hybrids on game farms, likely due to the introduction of common impalas. Based on these findings, the study recommended the removal of individuals showing signs of hybridisation to preserve the genetic integrity of the endangered subspecies.
“These results give conservation managers clear, science-based options for maintaining pure populations,” she explained.
Dr Miller also explored the importance of taxonomic clarity in conservation. She referenced a study on the spike-heeled lark, which revealed genetic divergence between distinct populations – sufficient to justify species separation. The findings contributed to a global bird taxonomy revision, which recently consolidated species lists after a decade of scientific debate.
“Taxonomic decisions are not just academic – they determine what receives conservation attention, funding, and legal protection,” she said.
In another project, Dr Miller was part of a team that explored the impact of translocations on lion genetics across the African continent. Using results from both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, the team developed translocation guidelines to prevent disruption of genetically distinct lineages.
She also emphasised the importance of proper sample collection and storage, advising researchers to prioritise blood and tissue samples over hair where possible.
“Good data starts with good samples – and how we collect, label, and preserve them makes all the difference,” she noted.
In closing, Dr Miller called for greater cross-disciplinary collaboration in conservation research and planning. She urged students and scientists to align their work with practical conservation goals.
“Genetic data are not just numbers – they’re stories of survival, adaptation, and resilience. We must listen and act accordingly,” she said.
Story and pictures by Cleopatra Makhaga.