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Ning Y, Liu D, Gu J, Zhang Y, Roberts NJ, Guskov VY, Sun J, Liu D, Gong M, Qi J, He Z, Shi C, Jiang G. The genetic status and rescue measure for a geographically isolated population of Amur tigers. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8088. [PMID: 38582794 PMCID: PMC10998829 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58746-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The Amur tiger is currently confronted with challenges of anthropogenic development, leading to its population becoming fragmented into two geographically isolated groups: smaller and larger ones. Small and isolated populations frequently face a greater extinction risk, yet the small tiger population's genetic status and survival potential have not been assessed. Here, a total of 210 samples of suspected Amur tiger feces were collected from this small population, and the genetic background and population survival potentials were assessed by using 14 microsatellite loci. Our results demonstrated that the mean number of alleles in all loci was 3.7 and expected heterozygosity was 0.6, indicating a comparatively lower level of population genetic diversity compared to previously reported studies on other subspecies. The genetic estimates of effective population size (Ne) and the Ne/N ratio were merely 7.6 and 0.152, respectively, representing lower values in comparison to the Amur tiger population in Sikhote-Alin (the larger group). However, multiple methods have indicated the possibility of genetic divergence within our isolated population under study. Meanwhile, the maximum kinship recorded was 0.441, and the mean inbreeding coefficient stood at 0.0868, both of which are higher than those observed in other endangered species, such as the African lion and the grey wolf. Additionally, we have identified a significant risk of future extinction if the lethal equivalents were to reach 6.26, which is higher than that of other large carnivores. Further, our simulation results indicated that an increase in the number of breeding females would enhance the prospects of this population. In summary, our findings provide a critical theoretical basis for further bailout strategies concerning Amur tigers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Ning
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Dongqi Liu
- Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiayin Gu
- Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yifei Zhang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Nathan James Roberts
- Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Valentin Yu Guskov
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (FSCEATB FEB RAS), Vladivostok, Russian Federation
| | - Jiale Sun
- Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin, 150028, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ming Gong
- Siberian Tiger Park, Harbin, 150028, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jinzhe Qi
- Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhijian He
- Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Chunmei Shi
- College of Mathematics and Computer Science, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guangshun Jiang
- Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
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Genetic Diversity of Creole Sheep Managed by Indigenous Communities of the Central Region of Veracruz, Mexico. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040456. [PMID: 35203164 PMCID: PMC8868423 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The genetic diversity in three populations of creole sheep managed by indigenous communities of the central region of Veracruz, Mexico, is reported from blood samples of 90 sheep, taken from the herds of indigenous families in the municipalities of Tehuipango, Astacinga, and Tlaquilpa, Veracruz, Mexico. The genomic DNA of the sheep was evaluated using four microsatellites amplified by PCR and visualized on polyacrylamide gels. The four microsatellites were polymorphic, observed heterozygosity was lower than the expected level, and the indices of endogamy indicated a slight diminution of homozygotes and the variation was hosted at the individual level. The evaluated sheep present a genetic diversity that is conserved across endogamic crosses, for which reason the design of a plan of protection and use of these sheep populations would permit their sustainable management. Abstract In the indigenous communities of central Veracruz, herds of creole sheep have been established and managed through traditional practices of crossing, but their genetic characteristics have never been examined in order to evaluate their state of endogamy, and to help the management programs to protect this genetic resource. The objective of the present study was to characterize the genetic diversity of three populations of creole sheep managed by indigenous communities in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. Indigenous family producers of creole sheep were located and blood samples taken from 90 individual sheep from the municipalities of Tehuipango, Astacinga and Tlaquilpa, Veracruz. In the laboratory, the genomic DNA was extracted and genetic diversity characterized using four microsatellites (ILSTS11, ILSTS5, SRCRSP9 and OarFCB128) amplified by PCR and visualized on polyacrylamide gels. The four microsatellites were highly informative (PIC = 85%) and presented values of 0.6 to 0.81 of heterozygosity, with an average number of 16 alleles. According to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium model, three of the loci were not significant (p < 0.05), presumably this means that they do not deviate significantly from H–W predictions and there was slight genetic differentiation (FST = 0.025), along with a slight decrease in homozygotes (FIS = −0.021). According to the analysis of variance, 99% of the total variation was hosted at the individual level. It is concluded that the three creole sheep populations still present genetic diversity at the four loci and non-random pairings have occurred.
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Botero-Delgadillo E, Quirici V, Vásquez RA, Kempenaers B. Heterozygosity-Fitness Correlations in a Continental Island Population of Thorn-Tailed Rayadito. J Hered 2020; 111:628-639. [PMID: 33277658 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esaa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterozygosity-fitness correlations (HFCs) have been used to monitor the effects of inbreeding in threatened populations. HFCs can also be useful to investigate the potential effects of inbreeding in isolated relict populations of long-term persistence and to better understand the role of inbreeding and outbreeding as drivers of changes in genetic diversity. We studied a continental island population of thorn-tailed rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) inhabiting the relict forest of Fray Jorge National Park, north-central Chile. This population has experienced a long-term, gradual process of isolation since the end of the Tertiary. Using 10 years of field data in combination with molecular techniques, we tested for HFCs to assess the importance of inbreeding depression. If inbreeding depression is important, we predict a positive relationship between individual heterozygosity and fitness-related traits. We genotyped 183 individuals at 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci and used 7 measures of reproductive success and estimates of apparent survival to calculate HFCs. We found weak to moderate statistical support (P-values between 0.05 and 0.01) for a linear effect of female multi-locus heterozygosity (MLH) on clutch size and nonlinear effects on laying date and fledging success. While more heterozygous females laid smaller clutches, nonlinear effects indicated that females with intermediate values of MLH started laying earlier and had higher fledging success. We found no evidence for effects of MLH on annual fecundity or on apparent survival. Our results along with the long-term demographic stability of the study population contradict the hypothesis that inbreeding depression occurs in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Botero-Delgadillo
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Plank Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Verónica Quirici
- Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de investigación para la sustentabilidad, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A Vásquez
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bart Kempenaers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Plank Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
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Buzan E, Gerič U, Potušek S, Flajšman K, Pokorny B. First Insights into the Population Genetic Structure and Heterozygosity-Fitness Relationship in Roe Deer Inhabiting the Area between the Alps and Dinaric Mountains. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10122276. [PMID: 33276566 PMCID: PMC7761463 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We determined the genetic variability, population structure, and influence of genetic factors on two parameters of fitness (body mass and reproductive ability) in roe deer females in the contact zone between the Alps and the Dinaric Mountains by utilizing microsatellite variations in 214 individuals collected throughout Slovenia, Central Europe. Spatial differences in the genetic diversity of the species can be explained by population history, different approaches to population management and/or different connectivity among subpopulations. The population genetic structure confirms the high side fidelity of roe deer, but also shows the existence of admixtures of genes among different areas. We found evidence that genetic factors, including individual heterozygosity, influence body mass, confirming that heterozygosity positively affects fitness in wild populations. However, as the effect of genetic factors is usually masked or overruled by the influence of environmental factors, i.e., availability of resources, data on the joint influence of external and intrinsic factors on fitness and other life-history traits are needed to better predict the population dynamics of targeted species, which would enable sustainable, science-based population management. Abstract Across its pan-European distribution, the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) faces a wide diversity of environmental and climatic conditions; therefore, several factors, including intrinsic ones, shape life-history traits and cause significant variability in parameters of fitness. By utilizing microsatellite variations in 214 roe deer females collected throughout Slovenia, Central Europe, we determined the genetic variability and population structure of this species in the contact zone between the Alps and the Dinaric Mountains, i.e., over a wider area where data on the genetic outlook for this—the most common and widespread European wild ungulate—have been completely lacking so far. Throughout the country, we found moderate microsatellite diversity (Ho = 0.57–0.65) in relation to the observed heterozygosity reported for other roe deer populations in Europe. Spatial differences in genetic diversity of the species in Slovenia can be explained by population history linked to varying approaches to population management and/or different connectivity among subpopulations in topographically differentiated habitats. A country-wide pattern of genetic structure is clearly defined by separation of the populations into three groups present in the following regions: (i) Southern sub-Mediterranean and Karst regions, (ii) Central Slovenia, and (iii) the Sub-Pannonian Region in the north-east. This is also confirmed by evidencing a moderate isolation by distance, especially by separating southern samples (coastal Slovenia) from others. Levels of genetic differentiation vary among populations, which can be explained by the effect of natural geographical barriers or the presence of anthropogenic barriers such as urban areas and highways. In the subset of 172 yearling females, we analyzed the influence of genetic advantage (individual heterozygosity) and other genetic data (reflected in the structuring of the population) on body mass and reproductive ability. We found evidence that genetic factors influence the body mass of roe deer yearling females (explaining altogether 18.8% of body mass variance), and the level of individual heterozygosity alone also positively affected body mass, which is in accordance with the theory that heterozygosity is commonly positively correlated with fitness in wild populations. However, we did not uncover any effect of heterozygosity on two parameters of reproductive ability (fertility and potential reproductive outcome), indicating that several other factors, especially environmental ones, have a predominant effect on the parameters of fitness in roe deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Buzan
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia; (E.B.); (U.G.); (S.P.)
- Environmental Protection College, Trg mladosti 7, 3320 Velenje, Slovenia
| | - Urška Gerič
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia; (E.B.); (U.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Sandra Potušek
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia; (E.B.); (U.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Katarina Flajšman
- Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Boštjan Pokorny
- Environmental Protection College, Trg mladosti 7, 3320 Velenje, Slovenia
- Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Correspondence:
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Castillo-Rodríguez RG, Lagunes R, Cruz-Romero A, Núñez-Pastrana R, Rojas-Avelizapa LI, Régulo CLH, Dávila JA. Characterization of the genetic diversity of a population of Odocoileus virginianus veraecrucis in captivity using microsatellite markers. NEOTROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e47262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic diversity and effective population size (Ne) of a population of Odocoileus virginianus veraecrucis in captivity were characterized in the Wildlife Management Unit “El Pochote”, located in Ixtaczoquitlán, Veracruz, Mexico. Blood tissue was collected from 20 individuals of the reproductive nucleus, its genomic DNA was extracted, and genetic diversity was characterized by six microsatellites amplified by PCR and visualized in polyacrylamide gels. With four polymorphic microsatellites, 66.7% of the population’s genetic variation was explained, which was characterized by an allelic diversity that fluctuated between 9 and 28 alleles (18 average alleles), suggesting a mean allelic diversity (Shannon index = 2.6 ± 0.25), but only 12 ± 2.9 effective alleles would be fixed in the next generation. The heterozygosity observed (Ho= 0.81) exceeded that expected (He= 0.79) and these were significantly different (P> 0.05), as a result of a low genetic structure in the population (fixation index F = -0.112 ± 0.03), due to the genetic heterogeneity that each sample contributed, since the specimens came from different geographical regions. The Ne was 625 individuals and a 1:25 male:female ratio, with which 100% of the genetic diversity observed can be maintained for 100 years. The information obtained in the study can help in the design of a reproductive management program to maintain the present genetic diversity, without risk of losses due to genetic drift and inbreeding.
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Moss JB, Gerber GP, Welch ME. Heterozygosity-Fitness Correlations Reveal Inbreeding Depression in Neonatal Body Size in a Critically Endangered Rock Iguana. J Hered 2019; 110:818-829. [PMID: 31617903 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esz060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Inbreeding depression, though challenging to identify in nature, may play an important role in regulating the dynamics of small and isolated populations. Conversely, greater expression of genetic load can enhance opportunities for natural selection. Conditional expression concentrates these opportunities for selection and may lead to failure of detection. This study investigates the possibility for age-dependent expression of inbreeding depression in a critically endangered population of rock iguanas, Cyclura nubila caymanensis. We employ heterozygote-fitness correlations to examine the contributions of individual genetic factors to body size, a fitness-related trait. Nonsignificant reductions in homozygosity (up to 7%) were detected between neonates and individuals surviving past their first year, which may reflect natural absorption of inbreeding effects by this small, fecund population. The majority of variation in neonate body size was attributed to maternal or environmental effects (i.e., clutch identity and incubation length); however, heterozygosity across 22 microsatellite loci also contributed significantly and positively to model predictions. Conversely, effects of heterozygosity on fitness were not detectable when adults were examined, suggesting that inbreeding depression in body size may be age dependent in this taxon. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of taking holistic, cross-generational approaches to genetic monitoring of endangered populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette B Moss
- Biological Sciences Department, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
| | - Glenn P Gerber
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, Escondido, CA
| | - Mark E Welch
- Biological Sciences Department, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
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Gagnon M, Yannic G, Perrier C, Côté SD. No evidence of inbreeding depression in fast declining herds of migratory caribou. J Evol Biol 2019; 32:1368-1381. [PMID: 31514251 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Identifying inbreeding depression early in small and declining populations is essential for management and conservation decisions. Correlations between heterozygosity and fitness (HFCs) provide a way to identify inbreeding depression without prior knowledge of kinship among individuals. In Northern Quebec and Labrador, the size of two herds of migratory caribou (Rivière-George, RG and Rivière-aux-Feuilles, RAF) has declined by one to two orders of magnitude in the last three decades. This raises the question of a possible increase in inbreeding depression originating from, and possibly contributing to, the demographic decline in those populations. Here, we tested for the association of genomic inbreeding indices (estimated with 22,073 SNPs) with body mass and survival in 400 caribou sampled in RG and RAF herds between 1996 and 2016. We found no association of individual heterozygosity or inbreeding coefficient with body mass or annual survival. Furthermore, those genomic inbreeding indices remained stable over the period monitored. These results suggest that the rapid and intense demographic decline of the herds did not cause inbreeding depression in those populations. Although we found no evidence for HFCs, if demographic decline continues, it is possible that such inbreeding depression would be triggered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Gagnon
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Glenn Yannic
- CNRS, LECA, Université Grenoble Alpes, University Savoie Mont Blanc, Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Perrier
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul Valery Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Steeve D Côté
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
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Kalb DM, Delaney DA, DeYoung RW, Bowman JL. Genetic diversity and demographic history of introduced sika deer on the Delmarva Peninsula. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:11504-11517. [PMID: 31641489 PMCID: PMC6802040 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction of non-native species can have long-term effects on native plant and animal communities. Introduced populations are occasionally not well understood and offer opportunities to evaluate changes in genetic structure through time and major population changes such as bottleneck and or founder events. Invasive species can often evolve rapidly in new and novel environments, which could be essential to their long-term success. Sika deer are native to East Asia, and their introduction and establishment to the Delmarva Peninsula, USA, is poorly documented, but probably involved ≥1 founder and/or bottleneck events. We quantified neutral genetic diversity in the introduced population and compared genetic differentiation and diversity to the presumed source population from Yakushima Island, Japan, and a captive population of sika deer in Harrington, Delaware, USA. Based on the data from 10 microsatellite DNA loci, we observed reduced genetic variation attributable to founder events, support for historic hybridization events, and evidence that the population did originate from Yakushima Island stocks. Estimates of population structure through Bayesian clustering and demographic history derived from approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), were consistent with the hypothesized founder history of the introduced population in both timing and effective population size (approximately five effective breeding individuals, an estimated 36 generations ago). Our ABC results further supported a single introduction into the wild happening before sika deer spread throughout the Delmarva. We conclude that free-ranging sika deer on Delmarva are descended from ca. five individuals introduced about 100 years ago from captive stocks of deer maintained in the United Kingdom. Free-ranging sika deer on Delmarva have lost neutral diversity due to founder and bottleneck events, yet populations have expanded in recent decades and show no evidence of abnormalities associated with inbreeding. We suggest management practices including increasing harvest areas and specifically managing sika deer outside of Maryland.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Kalb
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland FisheriesMarionVAUSA
| | - Deborah A. Delaney
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of DelawareNewarkDEUSA
| | - Randy W. DeYoung
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research InstituteTexas A&M University‐KingsvilleKingsvilleTXUSA
| | - Jacob L. Bowman
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of DelawareNewarkDEUSA
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Mable BK. Conservation of adaptive potential and functional diversity: integrating old and new approaches. CONSERV GENET 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-018-1129-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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10
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Borzée A, Yu AY, Jang Y. Variations in boldness, behavioural and physiological traits of an endangered and a common hylid species from Korea. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2018.1441192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amaël Borzée
- Laboratory of Behavioral Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Ai-Yun Yu
- Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Yikweon Jang
- Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
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Judson JLM, Knapp CR, Welch ME. Age-dependent, negative heterozygosity-fitness correlations and local effects in an endangered Caribbean reptile, Iguana delicatissima. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:2088-2096. [PMID: 29468027 PMCID: PMC5817140 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Inbreeding depression can have alarming impacts on threatened species with small population sizes. Assessing inbreeding has therefore become an important focus of conservation research. In this study, heterozygosity-fitness correlations (HFCs) were measured by genotyping 7 loci in 83 adult and 184 hatchling Lesser Antillean Iguanas, Iguana delicatissima, at a communal nesting site in Dominica to assess the role of inbreeding depression on hatchling fitness and recruitment to the adult population in this endangered species. We found insignificant correlations between multilocus heterozygosity and multiple fitness proxies in hatchlings and adults. Further, multilocus heterozygosity did not differ significantly between hatchlings and adults, which suggests that the survivorship of homozygous hatchlings does not differ markedly from that of their heterozygous counterparts. However, genotypes at two individual loci were correlated with hatching date, a finding consistent with the linkage between specific marker loci and segregating deleterious recessive alleles. These results provide only modest evidence that inbreeding depression influences the population dynamics of I. delicatissima on Dominica.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles R. Knapp
- San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation ResearchEscondidoCAUSA
- Present address:
Daniel P. Haerter Center for Conservation and ResearchJohn G. Shedd AquariumChicagoILUSA
| | - Mark E. Welch
- Department of Biological SciencesMississippi State UniversityMississippi StateMSUSA
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Michaelides SN, While GM, Zajac N, Aubret F, Calsbeek B, Sacchi R, Zuffi MAL, Uller T. Loss of genetic diversity and increased embryonic mortality in non-native lizard populations. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:4113-25. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sozos N. Michaelides
- Edward Grey Institute; Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; South Parks Rd OX1 3PS Oxford UK
| | - Geoffrey M. While
- Edward Grey Institute; Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; South Parks Rd OX1 3PS Oxford UK
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Tasmania; PO Box 55 Hobart Tas. 7001 Australia
| | - Natalia Zajac
- Edward Grey Institute; Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; South Parks Rd OX1 3PS Oxford UK
| | - Fabien Aubret
- Station d'Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis; 09200 Moulis France
| | - Brittny Calsbeek
- Department of Biological Sciences; Dartmouth College; Hanover NH 03755 USA
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Dipartimento Sci Terra & Ambiente, Lab Ecoetol; Università di Pavia; I-27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Marco A. L. Zuffi
- Museo di Storia Naturale; Università di Pisa; Via Roma, 79 56011 Calci Pisa Italy
| | - Tobias Uller
- Edward Grey Institute; Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; South Parks Rd OX1 3PS Oxford UK
- Department of Biology; Lund University; Sölvegatan 37 SE 223 62 Lund Sweden
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Queirós J, Vicente J, Alves PC, de la Fuente J, Gortazar C. Tuberculosis, genetic diversity and fitness in the red deer, Cervus elaphus. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 43:203-12. [PMID: 27245150 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how genetic diversity, infections and fitness interact in wild populations is a major challenge in ecology and management. These interactions were addressed through heterozygosity-fitness correlation analyses, by assessing the genetic diversity, tuberculosis (TB) and body size in adult red deer. Heterozygosity-fitness correlation models provided a better understanding of the link between genetic diversity and TB at individual and population levels. A single local effect was found for Ceh45 locus at individual level, enhancing the importance of its close functional genes in determining TB presence. At population level, the ability of the red deer to control TB progression correlated positively with population genetic diversity, indicating that inbred populations might represent more risk of deer TB severity. Statistical models also gained insights into the dynamics of multi-host interaction in natural environments. TB prevalence in neighbouring wild boar populations was positively associated with deer TB at both individual and population levels. Additionally, TB presence correlated positively with red deer body size, for which "general and local effect" hypotheses were found. Although body size might be correlated with age, an indirect genetic effect on TB presence could be implied. This study provides new insights towards understanding host-pathogen interactions in wild populations and their relation to fitness traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Queirós
- Centro de Investigacão em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO)/InBio Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, R. Monte-Crasto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Rua do Campo Alegre s⁄n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; SaBio Research Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Joaquín Vicente
- SaBio Research Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Paulo C Alves
- Centro de Investigacão em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO)/InBio Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, R. Monte-Crasto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Rua do Campo Alegre s⁄n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio Research Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Christian Gortazar
- SaBio Research Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
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