MELBOURNE, March 6 (Xinhua) -- A koala DNA study challenges the species extinction fears in Australia, revealing that populations previously considered most at risk are showing unexpected recovery signs.
The research, published in Science, analyzing DNA from 418 koalas across the Australian states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, found that low genetic diversity does not necessarily signal high extinction risk, according to an article by the research authors on The Conversation website on Friday.
Researchers discovered that some southern populations once believed to be "inbred" are now showing signs of genetic recovery, while northern populations with higher genetic diversity are declining, said the article by Andrew Weeks, associate senior research scientist at the University of Melbourne, with two co-authors.
The scientists said genetic health in wildlife is more dynamic than static measures suggest. As populations expand, genetic recombination can rapidly generate new variation, improving resilience even before traditional genetic diversity indicators rebound.
The findings challenge conservation assumptions linking genetic diversity to population stability, showing that genetic recovery is possible after crashes if populations expand rapidly.
"We need to start tracking where populations came from and where they are headed, not just where they are now," the authors wrote. ■
