Peter Beerli of FSU has received a grant from the NSF to create a software that will generate more accurate population size and genetic diversity estimates for animal species. The software could help in preventing pathogen outbreaks, preserving endangered species, and setting commercial fishing quotes.

“This research addresses the assumption that the populations being studied have a relatively constant number of offspring per generation,” Beerli said. “Scientific observation has shown that this assumption is incorrect. For example, some SARS-CoV-2 strains are more successful in infecting people than others, suggesting that the ancestor with a new mutation has more ‘offspring’ than others.”

• Peter Beerli