Philippine Eagle Genetic Isolation Increases Extinction Risk

Small island populations carry hidden genetic danger.

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Genetic studies help guide pairing decisions in captive breeding programs.

Because Philippine Eagle populations are isolated across islands, genetic exchange is limited. Small subpopulations risk inbreeding over time. Reduced genetic diversity can lower disease resistance and adaptive capacity. Genetic bottlenecks are especially dangerous in Critically Endangered species. Conservation strategies increasingly incorporate genetic monitoring. Maintaining connectivity between forest corridors can mitigate isolation effects. The eagle’s insular distribution amplifies these genetic challenges.

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💥 Impact (click to read)

When populations shrink below certain thresholds, chance events can eliminate unique genetic traits. Inbreeding depression may reduce fertility or survival rates. For a species already reproducing slowly, genetic decline compounds vulnerability.

Long-term conservation requires safeguarding not only numbers but genetic variability. The Philippine Eagle’s fragmented range highlights how geography shapes evolutionary resilience. Protecting corridors and minimizing isolation strengthen its survival prospects.

Source

Journal of Avian Biology

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