Opportunities and challenges of macrogenetic studies

Nature Reviews Genetics
By: , and 

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Abstract

The rapidly emerging field of macrogenetics focuses on analysing publicly accessible genetic datasets from thousands of species to explore large-scale patterns and predictors of intraspecific genetic variation. Facilitated by advances in evolutionary biology, technology, data infrastructure, statistics and open science, macrogenetics addresses core evolutionary hypotheses (such as disentangling environmental and life-history effects on genetic variation) with a global focus. Yet, there are important, often overlooked, limitations to this approach and best practices need to be considered and adopted if macrogenetics is to continue its exciting trajectory and reach its full potential in fields such as biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Here, we review the history of this rapidly growing field, highlight knowledge gaps and future directions, and provide guidelines for further research.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Opportunities and challenges of macrogenetic studies
Series title Nature Reviews Genetics
DOI 10.1038/s41576-021-00394-0
Volume 22
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher Springer Nature
Contributing office(s) Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Description 17 p.
First page 791
Last page 807
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