Genetics Committee

The Tapir Specialist Group (TSG) is an organization under the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the The World Conservation Union (IUCN) dedicated to the conservation of tapirs and their habitat.

This page is dedicated to the TSG Genetics Committee. Within it you will find useful information on sampling and preserving samples for genetic analyses. You will also find information and links on molecular markers and useful lab procedures that might be used to produce information on tapir genetic diversity. Furthermore, you should find information on ongoing projects being developed by members of the TSG.

A brief history

During the II International Tapir Symposium in Panamá, in January 2004, it was decided that the TSG needed a committee dedicated to exploring and creating incentives for the exploration of the genetics aspect of tapir biology and conservation. This lead to the creation of the Genetics Committee within the TSG.

The Committee's goals and projects

The TSG Genetics Committee is committed to providing crucial information, and networking space to TSG members interested in developing projects in the fields of population genetics, phylogeography, molecular systematics, and molecular ecology of tapirs. The genetic information, in turn, can be used to supplement information on the ecology, and biology of these animals. Thus, providing a better basis for the conservation of all four tapir species.

Currently, the Committee is dedicating itself mainly to the development of the International Tapir Genetics Project (ITGS). The project aims to develop a clearer understanding of the systematics of tapirs, of the current state of the genetic diversity within tapir populations, and the historical and contemporary influences that have and still affect tapir populations. The principal goal of the project, however, is to develop a network of tapir biologists interested in, and capable of developing, tapir genetic projects across range countries.

The coordinators

The Committee counts with two dedicated coordinators, each of which with sligtly different interests and expertise, but all with a common goal of contributing to tapir conservation through a better understanding of the underlying genetic diversity. Both are available to answer questions and help out as much as possible. Please feel free to contact them.

Cristina Luis (Portugal)
Cristina was born in Angola, spent some of her childhood in South Africa and since 1978 lives in Portugal. She has a bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Lisbon, in Portugal. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in horse genetics at the University of Lisbon, with some work being done in cooperation with the University of Kentucky, USA. She is mainly interested in the usefulness of genetics for the management and conservation of small and endangered populations. [email]

Anders Gonçalves da Silva (Brazil)
Anders was born in Switzerland, but grew up in Brazil. He has a bachelor's degree in Biology from the State University of Campinas, in Brazil. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD at Columbia University in New York City analyzing the causes of spatial genetic structure in mammals. He is primarily interested in the effects of space on the distribution of genetic variation in mammalian species, and how this information can be used to better conserve species. He also has an inordinate fondness for tapirs. [email]