Application of next-generation sequencing technology in southeast Asia: A practical framework for advancing wildlife conservation

• Main Authors: Nursyuhada Othman, Hidayah Haris, Mohd Faudzir Najmuddin, Nur Hartini Sariyati, Farah Farhana Ramli, Suliadi Firdaus Sufahani, Badrul Munir Md Zain, Salmah YAAKOP, Abd Rahman Mohd Ridwan, Nor Aifat Binti A.Rahman, Ibnu Maryanto, Muhammad Abu Bakar Abdul Latiff
• Format: Proceedings
• Language: English; English
• Published: EDP Sciences 2024
• Subjects: QH301-705.5 Biology (General); QH540-549.5 Ecology; S900-(972) Conservation of natural resources Including land conservation
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/40913/5/abstract.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/40913/2/fulltext.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/40913/; https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85190611224&doi=10.1051%2fbioconf%2f20249401004&origin=inward&txGid=c2c4a327e990862b2fbbae938cc822a9

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has transformed genomics, presenting significant potential for advancing wildlife conservation. NGS technology offers opportunities and challenges for addressing scientific questions in wildlife management. Unfortunately, there is a lack of comprehensive records on NGS implementation in Southeast Asia, particularly concerning wildlife conservation. To address this gap, we analyzed NGS studies focused on wildlife monitoring in Southeast Asia and introduced a practical framework for implementing NGS technologies in global wildlife conservation, especially in Southeast Asia. We systematically reviewed NGS studies in wildlife monitoring from the SCOPUS database. We identified 137 relevant publications from 11 countries, with Malaysia contributing 36% of the studies. The included studies were categorized into five themes: species identification, dietary assessment, health monitoring, taxonomic resolution, and whole-genome sequencing, with the majority focusing on 38 publications related to wildlife health. The framework developed in this study help the researchers and conservation practitioners with insights on NGS technology application in conservation while also addressing the benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations associated with NGS use. This review offers a brief overview of NGS usage and provides guidelines for embracing NGS as a valuable tool for effective wildlife conservation strategies in our rapidly changing world.