Huge impacts sometimes come from humble unexpected sources. What scientists have achieved with the flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) recently is a case in point. Scientists have been working with various organisms in their pursuit to get to the roots of genetic erosion and consequent extinction. They have now and zeroed in on the flour beetle as the perfect tool to work with. Flour beetle will be the model in a major new study of University of East Anglia, seeking answers to the consequences of inbreeding.

When the gene pool is reduced it brings about inbreeding between relatives. This entails losses in genetic variability and is a causative factor for the decline of many species around the world. The project will determine how much new variability must be re-introduced to genetically rescue an inbred population. This is bound to give a huge boost to the working resources of managers of conservation and captive breeding projects. They are indeed a delighted lot.

The project will experimentally evaluate which specific reproductive traits are affected by inbreeding. The full-fledged study is slated to run a course of three year. Deleterious effects of inbreeding are a priority in conservation initiatives set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Conservationists around the world are eagerly looking forward to the data generated from this unique project. Thumbs up for the humble flour beetle.

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