Genomics applied to management strategies in conservation programmes

Genomics has opened up exciting possibilities in the field of conservation genetics. Here we have dealt with three different aspects of the use of genomics in conservation. The first is a description of genetic relationships between individuals where we try to clarify the relationship between the identity by descent (IBD) and the identity by state (IBS) concepts. Then we also review the strategies that have been suggested for using genomic data for increasing the effectiveness of the management of conserved populations. In particular, we review the strategies aimed at maintaining within breed genetic diversity and those aimed at removing undesired introgression in order to rescue the original genetic background of a particular breed. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.