Whole genome sequencing of California condors is now utilized for guiding genetic management

The California condor is a critically endangered avian species that, in 1982, became extinct in the wild. Its survival has persevered through a captive breeding program and reintroduction efforts within its former range. As of April, 2015, 421 California condors, including 204 flying in the wild constituted the extant population. Concern regarding preservation of genetic diversity and inbreeding, have led to intensive population management supported by molecular genetics research and, more recently, the application of genomic methodologies. 36 complete California condor genomes, representing the whole gene pool of the species, have been sequenced identifying about 4 millions polymorphic sites (SNPs). This has allowed reassessment of kinship among the founder birds, which is now being applied to selecting breeding pairs for the ongoing captive propagation effort. A genetic disease, chondrodystrophy, is inherited consistent with an autosomal recessive mode of transmission in condors. Utilizing whole genome sequencing of affected chicks and their carrier parents, a series of linked markers localized in a 1 Mb region of the condor genome have been employed to detect carrier condors heterozygous for the lethal mutation. This information can be incorporated into population management to reduce the risk of reproductive failure, as reintroduced populations begin to expand.