Elissa J. Cosgrove

Nov 8, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Tram Nguyen |Elissa J. Cosgrove |Nancy Chen |Natasha Lehr

AbstractWhole-genome sequence data is proving to be highly informative about the past demography of free-living populations, and in the context of endangered species, it can provide a quantification of the genetic risk posed by reduced genetic diversity and inbreeding.

Sep 21, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Shailee Shah |Jennifer Diamond |Sahas Barve |Elissa J. Cosgrove

AbstractInbreeding, or breeding with close relatives, often decreases individual fitness, but mate choice in many species can increase inbreeding risk. Inbreeding is more likely in species with limited dispersal, such as cooperative breeders where non-parental individuals - often offspring from previous broods - provide parental care and frequently breed close to home.

May 22, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Jeremy Summers |Elissa J. Cosgrove |Reed Bowman |John Fitzpatrick

AbstractIsolation caused by anthropogenic habitat fragmentation can destabilize populations. Populations relying on the inflow of immigrants can face reduced fitness due to inbreeding depression as fewer new individuals arrive. Empirical studies of the demographic consequences of isolation are critical to understand how populations persist through changing conditions.

Mar 25, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Rose Driscoll |Felix E.G. Beaudry |Elissa J. Cosgrove |John Fitzpatrick

AbstractSex-biased demography, including sex-biased survival or migration, can alter allele frequency changes across the genome. In particular, we can expect different patterns of genetic variation on autosomes and sex chromosomes due to sex-specific differences in life histories, as well as differences in effective population size, transmission modes, and the strength and mode of selection.

Jan 11, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Jeremy Summers |Elissa J. Cosgrove |Reed Bowman |John Fitzpatrick

AbstractIsolation caused by anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and degradation can destabilize populations. Population demography is shaped by complex interactions among local vital rates, environmental fluctuations, and changing immigration rates. Empirical studies of these interactions are critical for testing theoretical expectations of how populations respond to isolation.