Linking genetic diversity to extinction is a common goal in genomic studies. Recently, a debate has arisen regarding the importance of genetic variation in conservation as some studies have failed to find associations between genome-wide genetic diversity and extinction risk. However, only rarely are genetic diversity and fitness measured together in the wild, and typically demographic history and environment are ignored. It is therefore difficult to infer whether a lack of an association is real or obscured by confounding factors. To address these shortcomings, we analysed genetic data from 7,501 individuals with extinction data from 279 meadows and mortality of 1,742 larval nests in a butterfly metapopulation. We found a strong negative association between genetic diversity and extinction when considering only heterozygosity in models. However, this association disappeared when accounting for ecological covariates, suggesting a confounding between demography and genetics and a more co..., , , This README file was generated on 2024-03-21 by Michelle DiLeo.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of Dataset: Demography and environment modulate the effects of genetic diversity on extinction risk in a butterfly metapopulation

2. Author Information A. Principal Investigator Contact Information Name: Marjo Saastamoinen Institution: University of Helsinki Address: Helsinki, FI Email: marjo.saastamoinen@helsinki.fi

   B. Associate or Co-investigator Contact Information Name: Michelle DiLeo Institution: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Address: Peterborough, ON Canada Email: michelle.dileo@ontario.ca

3. Date of data collection (single date, range, approximate date): 2007-2012

4. Geographic location of data collection: Aland Islands, Finland

5. Information about funding sources that supported the collection of the data: Academy of Finland, Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Ca...