Population Genetics in the Neotropics

The Neotropics hold high levels of biodiversity, figuring among the essential hotspots for conservation on Earth. Invaluable genetic resources of this biogeographic dominion must deserve attention of conservationists, as well as of breeders. This project is aimed at producing a book on population genetics directed to an audience of undergraduate and graduate students but not limited to those. In a distinct approach, we seek to develop a material devoted to population genetics in the Neotropics, contextualizing examples of several animal and plant species belonging to this highly diverse dominion. Traditional books available in the subject of population genetics commonly deal with organisms that are native to North America and Europe, while neotropical organisms are lacking in the context, so our book comes forth as an initiative towards covering that.

Among several subjects, this textbook addresses studies on molecular evolution and phylogenetics, genetic structure at broad and fine spatial scales, landscape genetics, niche modeling and climate change, conservation genetics and quantitative variation and its genetic components in hotspots of biodiversity such as the Amazon, the Brazilian Savanna and the Atlantic Rain Forest. It should provide an easy going reading, with the main concepts being presented and contextualized within the Neotropical dynamics of plants and animal populations. Basic mathematical foundations of population genetics theory are provided, but no further details on deductions and advanced algebra are given, for the purpose of simplicity. The application of the studies on conservation and breeding is also addressed. The chapters were planned to be brief, describing the main concepts, processes and case studies. Invited authors were encouraged to describe examples from their own research in the Neotropics. Altogether, this project may offer students with a textbook with concepts and ideas of the Neotropical genetic diversity, bringing awareness and stimulating endeavors towards the continuance of conservation of endangered species in their environments of origin.

Marcos Vinícius Bohrer Monteiro Siqueira

Technician in Environmental Management at Escola Profissional Agrícola Conde de S. Bento (Portugal), Biotechnology Engineer at Escola Superior Agrária de Bragança (Portugal), Master in Applied Ecology, Doctor of Science at Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiróz - University of São Paulo and Post-Doctor at the Paulista Agency of Agribusiness Technology - Polo Centro Sul. He was a FAPESP fellow in the Master's, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral programs. Held Sandwich at the University of Hohenheim (Stuttgart, Germany) and internships in Natural Parks in Portugal. He is a reviewer of national/international scientific journals. He was Vice-Director of Technical and Dissemination of the Brazilian Society of Genetic Resources (SBRG) and President of the Sudeste Network of Genetic Resources. He is currently a Professor (Level VI, Grade A) at the State University of Minas Gerais - Frutal Unit and professor of the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Director of Events at SBRG and coordinator of the Applied Plant Ecology Group (GEVA). Experience in Plant Population Genetics and Genomics, working mainly on the following topics: Population Genetics and Genomics, Molecular Markers, Applied Ecology in Agroecosystems and Genetic Diversity. 

Enéas Ricardo Konzen

Forest Engineer from Federal University of Santa Maria (2008), master’s in science (Biology in Agriculture and the Environment) from University of São Paulo (2011) and a PhD in Sciences (Biology in Agriculture and the Environment) from University of São Paulo (2015), with a research scholar period at the University of California, Davis, between 2013 and 2014. His experience is focused on genetics, statistics and plant breeding, working mainly on the following topics: experimental designs, population genetics, molecular markers, gene expression, genetic mapping in plants, plant propagation. Currently, he is an adjunct professor at Federal University of Rio Grande Sul, carrying out his activities at the Center for Coastal, Limnological and Marine Studies (CECLIMAR), in fields of genetics and statistics. He also works as a permanent professor in the Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology and in the Graduate Program in Science Education at UFRGS.

Pedro Manoel Galetti Junior

Degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of São Carlos (1975), a master's degree in Ecology and Natural Resources from the Federal University of São Carlos (1979) and a PhD in Ecology and Natural Resources from the Federal University of São Carlos (1984). He is a professor at the Federal University of São Carlos, where he was also Pro-Rector of Postgraduate Studies and Research (2000-2004) and Vice-Rector (2008-2012) of UFSCar. He was president of the Brazilian Society of Genetics (2002-2004). He has experience in Genetics and Ecology. Currently, he is interested in Conservation Genetics and Molecular Ecology, having as object of studies, the fish group and the terrestrial mammals.