Laboratory of Molecular Zoology is formed by a small team that is focused on population genetic analyses of several wildlife animal species. We use different molecular markers, such as microsatellites, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. In several joined projects we are involved in mitogenome and genomic analyses. We study genetic variation and phylogeographic structure in both, rare and protected animals such as brown bear (Ursus arctos) or Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) as well as abundant ones: red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). We are much interested in genetic and ecological studies of a relic moose (Alces alces) population in the Biebrza valley, NE Poland. In this study area that constitutes the largest, natural wetlands of Central Europe we also perform telemetric survey of moose as well as diet analysis of this species and co-occurring red and roe deer. This last approach is done by means of DNA metabarcoding. Our research is possible due to our experience in molecular biology and in field work as well as thanks to fruitful collaboration with several scientists representing different Institutions both, in Poland (for example Mammal Research Institute PAS in Białowieża) and abroad (Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine, Université Alps-Grenoble, France) and others in Austria, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Russia. Several results from our approaches have been published in good and very good scientific journals. We also provide valuable results and analyses upon request of Biebrza National Park, WWF Poland and Polish Ministry of Environment.
