GALVESTON, Texas — Aug. 22, 2025 — A new study in the journal Science shows that “genetic rescue”—bringing in mates from another small, isolated group—can help an endangered species rebound. The research found that Pacific pocket mice produced under this approach were healthier and had better survival and reproduction, even when the source groups had different numbers of chromosomes. The study was led by Aryn Wilder, PhD, and colleagues, including Erez Lieberman Aiden, PhD—chair of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and professor of Biosciences at Rice University—as a co-author.
Genetic rescue aims to restore diversity that’s often lost when the population of a species is dangerously low. The team paired straightforward DNA measurements with careful tracking of births and survivals in a long-running conservation program. Offspring from planned pairings had more genetic variety and fewer signs of inbreeding, and they performed better in managed care and after release.
“When a population is tiny, inbreeding takes a toll,” said Aiden. “This study shows that carefully adding new genes can move a struggling population in the right direction—even when there are differences like chromosome counts. The key is to plan the crosses and monitor outcomes closely.”
The work gives wildlife managers practical evidence to consider when deciding if and how to mix isolated groups in order to keep a species from blinking out.
Links:
- Science article (DOI: 10.1126/science.adn4666): https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn4666
- EurekAlert summary: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1095431
- Media kit: https://sandiegozoo.app.box.com/s/mu2h8bea811yx58oq11fs4q8l3binow8
- UTMB Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology: https://www.utmb.edu/bmb
- Rice University Biosciences: https://biosciences.rice.edu/