Want to save an endangered species? Start with the right DNA blueprint

When scientists want to trace how a species has changed over time—and predict its prospects for survival—they turn to DNA.‍

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  How much genetic variation appears?
• What does the data reveal about past population sizes?
• Are current populations growing or shrinking?
• Which genes seem to be under natural selection, hinting at adaptation?

The answers depended heavily on which genome served as the map.

With the gray fox's own genome, researchers detected 26%–32% more genetic differences among individuals and about a third more rare variants (the subtle DNA changes that reveal how populations have been evolving recently).

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https://phys.org/news/2025-09-endangered-species-dna-blueprint.html

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