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Armstrong EE, Mooney JA, Solari KA, Kim BY, Barsh GS, Grant VB, Greenbaum G, Kaelin CB, Panchenko K, Pickrell JK, Rosenberg N, Ryder OA, Yokoyama T, Ramakrishnan U, Petrov DA, Hadly EA. Unraveling the genomic diversity and admixture history of captive tigers in the United States. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2402924121. [PMID: 39298482 PMCID: PMC11441546 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2402924121] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Genomic studies of endangered species have primarily focused on describing diversity patterns and resolving phylogenetic relationships, with the overarching goal of informing conservation efforts. However, few studies have investigated genomic diversity housed in captive populations. For tigers (Panthera tigris), captive individuals vastly outnumber those in the wild, but their diversity remains largely unexplored. Privately owned captive tiger populations have remained an enigma in the conservation community, with some believing that these individuals are severely inbred, while others believe they may be a source of now-extinct diversity. Here, we present a large-scale genetic study of the private (non-zoo) captive tiger population in the United States, also known as "Generic" tigers. We find that the Generic tiger population has an admixture fingerprint comprising all six extant wild tiger subspecies. Of the 138 Generic individuals sequenced for the purpose of this study, no individual had ancestry from only one subspecies. We show that the Generic tiger population has a comparable amount of genetic diversity relative to most wild subspecies, few private variants, and fewer deleterious mutations. We observe inbreeding coefficients similar to wild populations, although there are some individuals within both the Generic and wild populations that are substantially inbred. Additionally, we develop a reference panel for tigers that can be used with imputation to accurately distinguish individuals and assign ancestry with ultralow coverage (0.25×) data. By providing a cost-effective alternative to whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the reference panel provides a resource to assist in tiger conservation efforts for both ex- and in situ populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jazlyn A Mooney
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | | | - Bernard Y Kim
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Gregory S Barsh
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806
- Department of Genetics, School of Medine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - Gili Greenbaum
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
| | - Christopher B Kaelin
- Department of Genetics, School of Medine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Katya Panchenko
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - Noah Rosenberg
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - Tsuya Yokoyama
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Uma Ramakrishnan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Dmitri A Petrov
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Chan Zuckerberg BioHub, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Elizabeth A Hadly
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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2
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Aitken SN, Jordan R, Tumas HR. Conserving Evolutionary Potential: Combining Landscape Genomics with Established Methods to Inform Plant Conservation. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 75:707-736. [PMID: 38594931 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-070523-044239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Biodiversity conservation requires conserving evolutionary potential-the capacity for wild populations to adapt. Understanding genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics is critical for informing conservation decisions that enhance adaptability and persistence under environmental change. We review how emerging landscape genomic methods provide plant conservation programs with insights into evolutionary dynamics, including local adaptation and its environmental drivers. Landscape genomic approaches that explore relationships between genomic variation and environments complement rather than replace established population genomic and common garden approaches for assessing adaptive phenotypic variation, population structure, gene flow, and demography. Collectively, these approaches inform conservation actions, including genetic rescue, maladaptation prediction, and assisted gene flow. The greatest on-the-ground impacts from such studies will be realized when conservation practitioners are actively engaged in research and monitoring. Understanding the evolutionary dynamics shaping the genetic diversity of wild plant populations will inform plant conservation decisions that enhance the adaptability and persistence of species in an uncertain future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally N Aitken
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; ,
| | | | - Hayley R Tumas
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; ,
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3
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Andersson L, Bekkevold D, Berg F, Farrell ED, Felkel S, Ferreira MS, Fuentes-Pardo AP, Goodall J, Pettersson M. How Fish Population Genomics Can Promote Sustainable Fisheries: A Road Map. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2024; 12:1-20. [PMID: 37906837 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-021122-102933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Maintenance of genetic diversity in marine fishes targeted by commercial fishing is a grand challenge for the future. Most of these species are abundant and therefore important for marine ecosystems and food security. Here, we present a road map of how population genomics can promote sustainable fisheries. In these species, the development of reference genomes and whole genome sequencing is key, because genetic differentiation at neutral loci is usually low due to large population sizes and gene flow. First, baseline allele frequencies representing genetically differentiated populations within species must be established. These can then be used to accurately determine the composition of mixed samples, forming the basis for population demographic analysis to inform sustainably set fish quotas. SNP-chip analysis is a cost-effective method for determining baseline allele frequencies and for population identification in mixed samples. Finally, we describe how genetic marker analysis can transform stock identification and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Andersson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Dorte Bekkevold
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | | | - Edward D Farrell
- Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, Killybegs, County Donegal, Ireland
| | - Sabine Felkel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Mafalda S Ferreira
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Angela P Fuentes-Pardo
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jake Goodall
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Mats Pettersson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;
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4
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Cheek RG, McLaughlin JF, Gamboa MP, Marshall CA, Johnson BM, Silver DB, Mauro AA, Ghalambor CK. A lack of genetic diversity and minimal adaptive evolutionary divergence in introduced Mysis shrimp after 50 years. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13637. [PMID: 38283609 PMCID: PMC10818135 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The successes of introduced populations in novel habitats often provide powerful examples of evolution and adaptation. In the 1950s, opossum shrimp (Mysis diluviana) individuals from Clearwater Lake in Minnesota, USA were transported and introduced to Twin Lakes in Colorado, USA by fisheries managers to supplement food sources for trout. Mysis were subsequently introduced from Twin Lakes into numerous lakes throughout Colorado. Because managers kept detailed records of the timing of the introductions, we had the opportunity to test for evolutionary divergence within a known time interval. Here, we used reduced representation genomic data to investigate patterns of genetic diversity, test for genetic divergence between populations, and for evidence of adaptive evolution within the introduced populations in Colorado. We found very low levels of genetic diversity across all populations, with evidence for some genetic divergence between the Minnesota source population and the introduced populations in Colorado. There was little differentiation among the Colorado populations, consistent with the known provenance of a single founding population, with the exception of the population from Gross Reservoir, Colorado. Demographic modeling suggests that at least one undocumented introduction from an unknown source population hybridized with the population in Gross Reservoir. Despite the overall low genetic diversity we observed, F ST outlier and environmental association analyses identified multiple loci exhibiting signatures of selection and adaptive variation related to elevation and lake depth. The success of introduced species is thought to be limited by genetic variation, but our results imply that populations with limited genetic variation can become established in a wide range of novel environments. From an applied perspective, the observed patterns of divergence between populations suggest that genetic analysis can be a useful forensic tool to determine likely sources of invasive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G. Cheek
- Department of BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Graduate Degree Program in EcologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Jessica F. McLaughlin
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementUniversity of California BerkeleyBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Maybellene P. Gamboa
- Department of Organismal Biology and EcologyColorado CollegeColorado SpringsColoradoUSA
| | - Craig A. Marshall
- Department of BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Council on Science and TechnologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Brett M. Johnson
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Douglas B. Silver
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Alexander A. Mauro
- Department of BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Graduate Degree Program in EcologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD)Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
| | - Cameron K. Ghalambor
- Department of BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Graduate Degree Program in EcologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD)Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
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5
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Willis S, Coykendall DK, Campbell MR, Narum S. Contrasting patterns of sequence variation in steelhead populations reflect distinct evolutionary processes. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13623. [PMID: 38283605 PMCID: PMC10810252 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple evolutionary processes influence genome-wide allele frequencies and quantifying effects of genetic drift, and multiple forms of selection remain challenging in natural populations. Here, we investigate variation at major effect loci in contrast to patterns of neutral drift across a wide collection of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) populations that have declined in abundance due to anthropogenic impacts. Whole-genome resequencing of 74 populations of steelhead revealed genome-wide patterns (~8 million SNPs) consistent with expected neutral population structure. However, allelic variation at major effect loci associated with adult migration timing (chromosome 28: GREB1L/ROCK1) and age at maturity (chromosome 25: SIX6) reflected how selection has acted on phenotypic variation in contrast with neutral structure. Variation at major effect loci was influenced by evolutionary processes with differing signals between the strongly divergent Coastal and Inland lineages, while allele frequencies within and among populations within the Inland lineage have been driven by local natural selection as well as recent anthropogenic influences. Recent anthropogenic effects appeared to have influenced the frequency of major effect alleles including artificial selection for specific traits in hatchery stocks with subsequent gene flow into natural populations. Selection from environmental factors at various scales has also likely influenced variation for major effect alleles. These results reveal evolutionary mechanisms that influence allele frequencies at major effect loci that are critical for conservation of phenotypic traits and life history variation of this protected species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Willis
- Hagerman Genetics LabColumbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish CommissionHagermanIdahoUSA
| | | | | | - Shawn Narum
- Hagerman Genetics LabColumbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish CommissionHagermanIdahoUSA
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6
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Schmidt C, Hoban S, Jetz W. Conservation macrogenetics: harnessing genetic data to meet conservation commitments. Trends Genet 2023; 39:816-829. [PMID: 37648576 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Genetic biodiversity is rapidly gaining attention in global conservation policy. However, for almost all species, conservation relevant, population-level genetic data are lacking, limiting the extent to which genetic diversity can be used for conservation policy and decision-making. Macrogenetics is an emerging discipline that explores the patterns and processes underlying population genetic composition at broad taxonomic and spatial scales by aggregating and reanalyzing thousands of published genetic datasets. Here we argue that focusing macrogenetic tools on conservation needs, or conservation macrogenetics, will enhance decision-making for conservation practice and fill key data gaps for global policy. Conservation macrogenetics provides an empirical basis for better understanding the complexity and resilience of biological systems and, thus, how anthropogenic drivers and policy decisions affect biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Schmidt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Sean Hoban
- The Center for Tree Science, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, USA
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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7
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Mathur S, Mason AJ, Bradburd GS, Gibbs HL. Functional genomic diversity is correlated with neutral genomic diversity in populations of an endangered rattlesnake. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303043120. [PMID: 37844221 PMCID: PMC10614936 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303043120] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Theory predicts that genetic erosion in small, isolated populations of endangered species can be assessed using estimates of neutral genetic variation, yet this widely used approach has recently been questioned in the genomics era. Here, we leverage a chromosome-level genome assembly of an endangered rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) combined with whole genome resequencing data (N = 110 individuals) to evaluate the relationship between levels of genome-wide neutral and functional diversity over historical and future timescales. As predicted, we found positive correlations between genome-wide estimates of neutral genetic diversity (π) and inferred levels of adaptive variation and an estimate of inbreeding mutation load, and a negative relationship between neutral diversity and an estimate of drift mutation load. However, these correlations were half as strong for projected future levels of neutral diversity based on contemporary effective population sizes. Broadly, our results confirm that estimates of neutral genetic diversity provide an accurate measure of genetic erosion in populations of a threatened vertebrate. They also provide nuance to the neutral-functional diversity controversy by suggesting that while these correlations exist, anthropogenetic impacts may have weakened these associations in the recent past and into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samarth Mathur
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH48824
- Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
| | - Andrew J. Mason
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH48824
- Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
| | - Gideon S. Bradburd
- Evolution and Behavior Program, Department of Integrative Biology, Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - H. Lisle Gibbs
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH48824
- Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
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8
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Guhlin J, Le Lec MF, Wold J, Koot E, Winter D, Biggs PJ, Galla SJ, Urban L, Foster Y, Cox MP, Digby A, Uddstrom LR, Eason D, Vercoe D, Davis T, Howard JT, Jarvis ED, Robertson FE, Robertson BC, Gemmell NJ, Steeves TE, Santure AW, Dearden PK. Species-wide genomics of kākāpō provides tools to accelerate recovery. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:1693-1705. [PMID: 37640765 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02165-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The kākāpō is a critically endangered, intensively managed, long-lived nocturnal parrot endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. We generated and analysed whole-genome sequence data for nearly all individuals living in early 2018 (169 individuals) to generate a high-quality species-wide genetic variant callset. We leverage extensive long-term metadata to quantify genome-wide diversity of the species over time and present new approaches using probabilistic programming, combined with a phenotype dataset spanning five decades, to disentangle phenotypic variance into environmental and genetic effects while quantifying uncertainty in small populations. We find associations for growth, disease susceptibility, clutch size and egg fertility within genic regions previously shown to influence these traits in other species. Finally, we generate breeding values to predict phenotype and illustrate that active management over the past 45 years has maintained both genome-wide diversity and diversity in breeding values and, hence, evolutionary potential. We provide new pathways for informing future conservation management decisions for kākāpō, including prioritizing individuals for translocation and monitoring individuals with poor growth or high disease risk. Overall, by explicitly addressing the challenge of the small sample size, we provide a template for the inclusion of genomic data that will be transformational for species recovery efforts around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Guhlin
- Genomics Aotearoa, Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Marissa F Le Lec
- Genomics Aotearoa, Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Jana Wold
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Emily Koot
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - David Winter
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Patrick J Biggs
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Stephanie J Galla
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | - Lara Urban
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
- Helmholtz AI, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Yasmin Foster
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Murray P Cox
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Andrew Digby
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Lydia R Uddstrom
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Daryl Eason
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Deidre Vercoe
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Tāne Davis
- Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Jason T Howard
- Neurogenetics of Language Lab, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Mirxes, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Erich D Jarvis
- The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Fiona E Robertson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Bruce C Robertson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Tammy E Steeves
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Peter K Dearden
- Genomics Aotearoa, Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand.
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9
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Forester BR, Day CC, Ruegg K, Landguth EL. Evolutionary potential mitigates extinction risk under climate change in the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. J Hered 2023; 114:341-353. [PMID: 36738446 PMCID: PMC10287148 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esac067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of global anthropogenic change makes forecasting species responses and planning effective conservation actions challenging. Additionally, important components of a species' adaptive capacity, such as evolutionary potential, are often not included in quantitative risk assessments due to lack of data. While genomic proxies for evolutionary potential in at-risk species are increasingly available, they have not yet been included in extinction risk assessments at a species-wide scale. In this study, we used an individual-based, spatially explicit, dynamic eco-evolutionary simulation model to evaluate the extinction risk of an endangered desert songbird, the southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), in response to climate change. Using data from long-term demographic and habitat studies in conjunction with genome-wide ecological genomics research, we parameterized simulations that include 418 sites across the breeding range, genomic data from 225 individuals, and climate change forecasts spanning 3 generalized circulation models and 3 emissions scenarios. We evaluated how evolutionary potential, and the lack of it, impacted population trajectories in response to climate change. We then investigated the compounding impact of drought and warming temperatures on extinction risk through the mechanism of increased nest failure. Finally, we evaluated how rapid action to reverse greenhouse gas emissions would influence population responses and species extinction risk. Our results illustrate the value of incorporating evolutionary, demographic, and dispersal processes in a spatially explicit framework to more comprehensively evaluate the extinction risk of threatened and endangered species and conservation actions to promote their recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna R Forester
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Casey C Day
- Computational Ecology Lab, School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Kristen Ruegg
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Erin L Landguth
- Computational Ecology Lab, School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
- Center for Population Health Research, School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
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10
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Ferreira MS, Thurman TJ, Jones MR, Farelo L, Kumar AV, Mortimer SME, Demboski JR, Mills LS, Alves PC, Melo-Ferreira J, Good JM. The evolution of white-tailed jackrabbit camouflage in response to past and future seasonal climates. Science 2023; 379:1238-1242. [PMID: 36952420 DOI: 10.1126/science.ade3984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The genetic basis of adaptive traits has rarely been used to predict future vulnerability of populations to climate change. We show that light versus dark seasonal pelage in white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii) tracks snow cover and is primarily determined by genetic variation at endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), corin serine peptidase (CORIN), and agouti signaling protein (ASIP). Winter color variation was associated with deeply divergent alleles at these genes, reflecting selection on both ancestral and introgressed variation. Forecasted reductions in snow cover are likely to induce widespread camouflage mismatch. However, simulated populations with variation for darker winter pelage are predicted to adapt rapidly, providing a trait-based genetic framework to facilitate evolutionary rescue. These discoveries demonstrate how the genetic basis of climate change adaptation can inform conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda S Ferreira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Timothy J Thurman
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Matthew R Jones
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Liliana Farelo
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Alexander V Kumar
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - John R Demboski
- Zoology Department, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, USA
| | - L Scott Mills
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
- Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Paulo C Alves
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - José Melo-Ferreira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Jeffrey M Good
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
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11
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Theissinger K, Fernandes C, Formenti G, Bista I, Berg PR, Bleidorn C, Bombarely A, Crottini A, Gallo GR, Godoy JA, Jentoft S, Malukiewicz J, Mouton A, Oomen RA, Paez S, Palsbøll PJ, Pampoulie C, Ruiz-López MJ, Secomandi S, Svardal H, Theofanopoulou C, de Vries J, Waldvogel AM, Zhang G, Jarvis ED, Bálint M, Ciofi C, Waterhouse RM, Mazzoni CJ, Höglund J. How genomics can help biodiversity conservation. Trends Genet 2023:S0168-9525(23)00020-3. [PMID: 36801111 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The availability of public genomic resources can greatly assist biodiversity assessment, conservation, and restoration efforts by providing evidence for scientifically informed management decisions. Here we survey the main approaches and applications in biodiversity and conservation genomics, considering practical factors, such as cost, time, prerequisite skills, and current shortcomings of applications. Most approaches perform best in combination with reference genomes from the target species or closely related species. We review case studies to illustrate how reference genomes can facilitate biodiversity research and conservation across the tree of life. We conclude that the time is ripe to view reference genomes as fundamental resources and to integrate their use as a best practice in conservation genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Theissinger
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Carlos Fernandes
- CE3C - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1649-013 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Giulio Formenti
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Iliana Bista
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333, CR, Leiden, The Netherlands; Wellcome Sanger Institute, Tree of Life, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Paul R Berg
- NIVA - Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Økernveien, 94, 0579 Oslo, Norway; Centre for Coastal Research, University of Agder, Gimlemoen 25j, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway; Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO BOX 1066 Blinderm, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Christoph Bleidorn
- University of Göttingen, Department of Animal Evolution and Biodiversity, Untere Karspüle, 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO/InBio, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 7, 4485-661, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Guido R Gallo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - José A Godoy
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Calle Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevillle, Spain
| | - Sissel Jentoft
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO BOX 1066 Blinderm, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Joanna Malukiewicz
- Primate Genetics Laborator, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alice Mouton
- InBios - Conservation Genetics Lab, University of Liege, Chemin de la Vallée 4, 4000, Liege, Belgium
| | - Rebekah A Oomen
- Centre for Coastal Research, University of Agder, Gimlemoen 25j, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway; Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO BOX 1066 Blinderm, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sadye Paez
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Per J Palsbøll
- Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands; Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
| | - Christophe Pampoulie
- Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Fornubúðir, 5,220, Hanafjörður, Iceland
| | - María J Ruiz-López
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Calle Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevillle, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | | | - Hannes Svardal
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Constantina Theofanopoulou
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA; Hunter College, City University of New York, NY, USA
| | - Jan de Vries
- University of Goettingen, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Applied Bioinformatics, Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS), Goldschmidtstr. 1, 37077, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Ann-Marie Waldvogel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicherstrasse 47b, D-50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Evolutionary & Organismal Biology Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Villum Center for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - Erich D Jarvis
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Miklós Bálint
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Claudio Ciofi
- University of Florence, Department of Biology, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, (FI) 50019, Italy
| | - Robert M Waterhouse
- University of Lausanne, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Le Biophore, UNIL-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Camila J Mazzoni
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research (BeGenDiv), Koenigin-Luise-Str 6-8, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacob Höglund
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, 75246, Uppsala, Sweden.
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12
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Wootton E, Robert C, Taillon J, Côté SD, Shafer ABA. Genomic health is dependent on long-term population demographic history. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:1943-1954. [PMID: 36704858 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Current genetic methods of population assessment in conservation biology have been challenged by genome-scale analyses due to their quantitatively novel insights. These analyses include assessments of runs-of-homozygosity (ROH), genomic evolutionary rate profiling (GERP), and mutational load. Here, we aim to elucidate the relationships between these measures using three divergent ungulates: white-tailed deer, caribou, and mountain goat. The white-tailed deer is currently expanding, while caribou are in the midst of a significant decline. Mountain goats remain stable, having suffered a large historical bottleneck. We assessed genome-wide signatures of inbreeding using the inbreeding coefficient F and %ROH (FROH ) and identified evolutionarily constrained regions with GERP. Mutational load was estimated by identifying mutations in highly constrained elements (CEs) and sorting intolerant from tolerant (SIFT) mutations. Our results showed that F and FROH are higher in mountain goats than in caribou and white-tailed deer. Given the extended bottleneck and low Ne of the mountain goat, this supports the idea that the genome-wide effects of demographic change take time to accrue. Similarly, we found that mountain goats possess more highly constrained CEs and the lowest dN/dS values, both of which are indicative of greater purifying selection; this is also reflected by fewer mutations in CEs and deleterious mutations identified by SIFT. In contrast, white-tailed deer presented the highest mutational load with both metrics, in addition to dN/dS, while caribou were intermediate. Our results demonstrate that extended bottlenecks may lead to reduced diversity and increased FROH in ungulates, but not necessarily an increase in mutational load, probably due to the purging of deleterious alleles in small populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Wootton
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claude Robert
- Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Joëlle Taillon
- Direction de l'Expertise sur la Faune Terrestre, l'Herpétofaune et l'Avifaune, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, Gouvernement du Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Steeve D Côté
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Aaron B A Shafer
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Programme, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Aguirre-Liguori JA, Morales-Cruz A, Gaut BS. Evaluating the persistence and utility of five wild Vitis species in the context of climate change. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6457-6472. [PMID: 36197804 PMCID: PMC10092629 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Crop wild relatives (CWRs) have the capacity to contribute novel traits to agriculture. Given climate change, these contributions may be especially vital for the persistence of perennial crops, because perennials are often clonally propagated and consequently do not evolve rapidly. By studying the landscape genomics of samples from five Vitis CWRs (V. arizonica, V. mustangensis, V. riparia, V. berlandieri and V. girdiana) in the context of projected climate change, we addressed two goals. The first was to assess the relative potential of different CWR accessions to persist in the face of climate change. By integrating species distribution models with adaptive genetic variation, additional genetic features such as genomic load and a phenotype (resistance to Pierce's Disease), we predicted that accessions from one species (V. mustangensis) are particularly well-suited to persist in future climates. The second goal was to identify which CWR accessions may contribute to bioclimatic adaptation for grapevine (V. vinifera) cultivation. To do so, we evaluated whether CWR accessions have the allelic capacity to persist if moved to locations where grapevines are cultivated in the United States. We identified six candidates from V. mustangensis and hypothesized that they may prove useful for contributing alleles that can mitigate climate impacts on viticulture. By identifying candidate germplasm, this study takes a conceptual step toward assessing the genomic and bioclimatic characteristics of CWRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas A Aguirre-Liguori
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Abraham Morales-Cruz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Brandon S Gaut
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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14
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Meek MH, Beever EA, Barbosa S, Fitzpatrick SW, Fletcher NK, Mittan-Moreau CS, Reid BN, Campbell-Staton SC, Green NF, Hellmann JJ. Understanding Local Adaptation to Prepare Populations for Climate Change. Bioscience 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biac101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Adaptation within species to local environments is widespread in nature. Better understanding this local adaptation is critical to conserving biodiversity. However, conservation practices can rely on species’ trait averages or can broadly assume homogeneity across the range to inform management. Recent methodological advances for studying local adaptation provide the opportunity to fine-tune efforts for managing and conserving species. The implementation of these advances will allow us to better identify populations at greatest risk of decline because of climate change, as well as highlighting possible strategies for improving the likelihood of population persistence amid climate change. In the present article, we review recent advances in the study of local adaptation and highlight ways these tools can be applied in conservation efforts. Cutting-edge tools are available to help better identify and characterize local adaptation. Indeed, increased incorporation of local adaptation in management decisions may help meet the imminent demands of managing species amid a rapidly changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah H Meek
- Department of Integrative Biology, AgBio Research, and the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | - Erik A Beever
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University , Bozeman, Montana, United States
| | - Soraia Barbosa
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho , Moscow, Idaho, United States
| | - Sarah W Fitzpatrick
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University , Hickory Corners, Michigan, United States
| | - Nicholas K Fletcher
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland , College Park, Maryland, United States
| | - Cinnamon S Mittan-Moreau
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University , Hickory Corners, Michigan, United States
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York, United States
| | - Brendan N Reid
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University , Hickory Corners, Michigan, United States
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University , New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Shane C Campbell-Staton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University , Princeton, New Jersey, United States
| | - Nancy F Green
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Falls Church , Virginia, United States
| | - Jessica J Hellmann
- Institute of the Environment and Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota , Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
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15
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Cristescu RH, Strickland K, Schultz AJ, Kruuk LEB, de Villiers D, Frère CH. Susceptibility to a sexually transmitted disease in a wild koala population shows heritable genetic variance but no inbreeding depression. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5455-5467. [PMID: 36043238 PMCID: PMC9826501 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The koala, one of the most iconic Australian wildlife species, is facing several concomitant threats that are driving population declines. Some threats are well known and have clear methods of prevention (e.g., habitat loss can be reduced with stronger land-clearing control), whereas others are less easily addressed. One of the major current threats to koalas is chlamydial disease, which can have major impacts on individual survival and reproduction rates and can translate into population declines. Effective management strategies for the disease in the wild are currently lacking, and, to date, we know little about the determinants of individual susceptibility to disease. Here, we investigated the genetic basis of variation in susceptibility to chlamydia using one of the most intensively studied wild koala populations. We combined data from veterinary examinations, chlamydia testing, genetic sampling and movement monitoring. Out of our sample of 342 wild koalas, 60 were found to have chlamydia. Using genotype information on 5007 SNPs to investigate the role of genetic variation in determining disease status, we found no evidence of inbreeding depression, but a heritability of 0.11 (95% CI: 0.06-0.23) for the probability that koalas had chlamydia. Heritability of susceptibility to chlamydia could be relevant for future disease management, as it suggests adaptive potential for the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romane H. Cristescu
- Global Change Ecology Research GroupUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsQueenslandAustralia
| | - Kasha Strickland
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Anthony J. Schultz
- Global Change Ecology Research GroupUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsQueenslandAustralia,Icelandic Museum of Natural History (Náttúruminjasafn Íslands)ReykjavikIceland
| | - Loeske E. B. Kruuk
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK,Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | | | - Céline H. Frère
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
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16
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Shi Y, Homola JJ, Euclide PT, Isermann DA, Caroffino D, McPhee MV, Larson WA. High-density genomic data reveal fine-scale population structure and pronounced islands of adaptive divergence in lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis) from Lake Michigan. Evol Appl 2022; 15:1776-1791. [PMID: 36426119 PMCID: PMC9679245 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding patterns of genetic structure and adaptive variation in natural populations is crucial for informing conservation and management. Past genetic research using 11 microsatellite loci identified six genetic stocks of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) within Lake Michigan, USA. However, ambiguity in genetic stock assignments suggested those neutral microsatellite markers did not provide adequate power for delineating lake whitefish stocks in this system, prompting calls for a genomics approach to investigate stock structure. Here, we generated a dense genomic dataset to characterize population structure and investigate patterns of neutral and adaptive genetic diversity among lake whitefish populations in Lake Michigan. Using Rapture sequencing, we genotyped 829 individuals collected from 17 baseline populations at 197,588 SNP markers after quality filtering. Although the overall pattern of genetic structure was similar to the previous microsatellite study, our genomic data provided several novel insights. Our results indicated a large genetic break between the northwestern and eastern sides of Lake Michigan, and we found a much greater level of population structure on the eastern side compared to the northwestern side. Collectively, we observed five genomic islands of adaptive divergence on five different chromosomes. Each island displayed a different pattern of population structure, suggesting that combinations of genotypes at these adaptive regions are facilitating local adaptation to spatially heterogenous selection pressures. Additionally, we identified a large linkage disequilibrium block of ~8.5 Mb on chromosome 20 that is suggestive of a putative inversion but with a low frequency of the minor haplotype. Our study provides a comprehensive assessment of population structure and adaptive variation that can help inform the management of Lake Michigan's lake whitefish fishery and highlights the utility of incorporating adaptive loci into fisheries management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Shi
- College of Fisheries and Ocean SciencesUniversity of Alaska FairbanksJuneauAlaskaUSA
- Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
| | - Jared J. Homola
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
| | - Peter T. Euclide
- Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
| | - Daniel A. Isermann
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
| | - David C. Caroffino
- Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesCharlevoix Research StationCharlevoixMichiganUSA
| | - Megan V. McPhee
- College of Fisheries and Ocean SciencesUniversity of Alaska FairbanksJuneauAlaskaUSA
| | - Wesley A. Larson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay LaboratoriesNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationJuneauAlaskaUSA
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17
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Forester BR, Murphy M, Mellison C, Petersen J, Pilliod DS, Van Horne R, Harvey J, Funk WC. Genomics-informed delineation of conservation units in a desert amphibian. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5249-5269. [PMID: 35976166 PMCID: PMC9804278 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Delineating conservation units (CUs, e.g., evolutionarily significant units, ESUs, and management units, MUs) is critical to the recovery of declining species because CUs inform both listing status and management actions. Genomic data have strengths and limitations in informing CU delineation and related management questions in natural systems. We illustrate the value of using genomic data in combination with landscape, dispersal and occupancy data to inform CU delineation in Nevada populations of the Great Basin Distinct Population Segment of the Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris). R. luteiventris occupies naturally fragmented aquatic habitats in this xeric region, but beaver removal, climate change and other factors have put many of these populations at high risk of extirpation without management intervention. We addressed three objectives: (i) assessing support for ESUs within Nevada; (ii) evaluating and revising, if warranted, the current delineation of MUs; and (iii) evaluating genetic diversity, effective population size, adaptive differentiation and functional connectivity to inform ongoing management actions. We found little support for ESUs within Nevada but did identify potential revisions to MUs based on unique landscape drivers of connectivity that distinguish these desert populations from those in the northern portion of the species range. Effective sizes were uniformly small, with low genetic diversity and weak signatures of adaptive differentiation. Our findings suggest that management actions, including translocations and genetic rescue, might be warranted. Our study illustrates how a carefully planned genetic study, designed to address priority management goals that include CU delineation, can provide multiple insights to inform conservation action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna R Forester
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Melanie Murphy
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | | | | | - David S Pilliod
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID, USA
| | | | | | - W Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.,Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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18
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Zumwalde BA, Fredlock B, Beckman Bruns E, Duckett D, McCauley RA, Spence ES, Hoban S. Assessing ex situ genetic and ecogeographic conservation in a threatened but widespread oak after range-wide collecting effort. Evol Appl 2022; 15:1002-1017. [PMID: 35782011 PMCID: PMC9234636 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the genetic diversity and structure of in situ populations has been investigated in thousands of studies, the genetic composition of ex situ plant populations has rarely been studied. A better understanding of how much genetic diversity is conserved ex situ, how it is distributed among locations (e.g., botanic gardens), and what minimum sample sizes are needed is necessary to improve conservation outcomes. Here we address these issues in a threatened desert oak species, Quercus havardii Rydb. We assess the genetic, geographic, and ecological representation of 290 plants from eight ex situ locations, relative to 667 wild individuals from 35 in situ locations. We also leverage a recent dataset of >3000 samples from 11 other threatened plants to directly compare the degree of genetic conservation for species that differ in geographic range size. We found that a majority of Q. havardii genetic diversity is conserved; one of its geographic regions is significantly better conserved than the other; genetic diversity conservation of this widespread species is lower than documented for the 11 rarer taxa; genetic diversity within each garden is strongly correlated to the number of plants and number of source populations; and measures of geographic and ecological conservation (i.e., percent area and percent of ecoregions represented) were typically lower than the direct assessment of genetic diversity (i.e., percent alleles). This information will inform future seed sampling expeditions to ensure that the intraspecific diversity of threatened plants can be effectively conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany A. Zumwalde
- Center for Tree ScienceThe Morton ArboretumLisleIllinoisUSA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | | | | | - Drew Duckett
- Center for Tree ScienceThe Morton ArboretumLisleIllinoisUSA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal BiologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | | | | | - Sean Hoban
- Center for Tree ScienceThe Morton ArboretumLisleIllinoisUSA
- The Field MuseumChicagoIllinoisUSA
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19
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Andrello M, D'Aloia C, Dalongeville A, Escalante MA, Guerrero J, Perrier C, Torres-Florez JP, Xuereb A, Manel S. Evolving spatial conservation prioritization with intraspecific genetic data. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:553-564. [PMID: 35450706 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spatial conservation prioritization (SCP) is a planning framework used to identify new conservation areas on the basis of the spatial distribution of species, ecosystems, and their services to human societies. The ongoing accumulation of intraspecific genetic data on a variety of species offers a way to gain knowledge of intraspecific genetic diversity and to estimate several population characteristics useful in conservation, such as dispersal and population size. Here, we review how intraspecific genetic data have been integrated into SCP and highlight their potential for identifying conservation area networks that represent intraspecific genetic diversity comprehensively and that ensure the long-term persistence of biodiversity in the face of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Andrello
- Institute for the study of Anthropic impacts and Sustainability in the marine environment, National Research Council, CNR-IAS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Cassidy D'Aloia
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | | | - Marco A Escalante
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Jimena Guerrero
- Sociedad Científica de Investigación Transdisciplinaria y Especialización (SCITE), Calimaya, México
| | - Charles Perrier
- CBGP, INRAe, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier SupAgro, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Juan Pablo Torres-Florez
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Santos, Brazil
| | - Amanda Xuereb
- Département de Biologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Manel
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University, IRD, Montpellier, France
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20
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Waples RS, Ford MJ, Nichols K, Kardos M, Myers J, Thompson TQ, Anderson EC, Koch IJ, McKinney G, Miller MR, Naish K, Narum SR, O'Malley KG, Pearse DE, Pess GR, Quinn TP, Seamons TR, Spidle A, Warheit KI, Willis SC. Implications of Large-Effect Loci for Conservation: A Review and Case Study with Pacific Salmon. J Hered 2022; 113:121-144. [PMID: 35575083 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esab069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing feasibility of assembling large genomic datasets for non-model species presents both opportunities and challenges for applied conservation and management. A popular theme in recent studies is the search for large-effect loci that explain substantial portions of phenotypic variance for a key trait(s). If such loci can be linked to adaptations, 2 important questions arise: 1) Should information from these loci be used to reconfigure conservation units (CUs), even if this conflicts with overall patterns of genetic differentiation? 2) How should this information be used in viability assessments of populations and larger CUs? In this review, we address these questions in the context of recent studies of Chinook salmon and steelhead (anadromous form of rainbow trout) that show strong associations between adult migration timing and specific alleles in one small genomic region. Based on the polygenic paradigm (most traits are controlled by many genes of small effect) and genetic data available at the time showing that early-migrating populations are most closely related to nearby late-migrating populations, adult migration differences in Pacific salmon and steelhead were considered to reflect diversity within CUs rather than separate CUs. Recent data, however, suggest that specific alleles are required for early migration, and that these alleles are lost in populations where conditions do not support early-migrating phenotypes. Contrasting determinations under the US Endangered Species Act and the State of California's equivalent legislation illustrate the complexities of incorporating genomics data into CU configuration decisions. Regardless how CUs are defined, viability assessments should consider that 1) early-migrating phenotypes experience disproportionate risks across large geographic areas, so it becomes important to identify early-migrating populations that can serve as reliable sources for these valuable genetic resources; and 2) genetic architecture, especially the existence of large-effect loci, can affect evolutionary potential and adaptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin S Waples
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael J Ford
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Krista Nichols
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Jim Myers
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Eric C Anderson
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Ilana J Koch
- Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Hagerman, ID, USA
| | - Garrett McKinney
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA, USA
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA, USA
| | | | - Kerry Naish
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WAUSA
| | - Shawn R Narum
- Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Hagerman, ID, USA
| | | | - Devon E Pearse
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - George R Pess
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas P Quinn
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WAUSA
| | - Todd R Seamons
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA, USA
| | - Adrian Spidle
- Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Olympia, WA, USA
| | | | - Stuart C Willis
- Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Hagerman, ID, USA
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21
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Bragg JG, van der Merwe M, Yap JYS, Borevitz J, Rossetto M. Plant collections for conservation and restoration: can they be adapted and adaptable? Mol Ecol Resour 2022; 22:2171-2182. [PMID: 35229464 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Plant collections are important for the conservation of threatened species, and can provide material for ecological restoration. Typically we want collections to have high genetic diversity so populations founded from it are adaptable to future challenges. Sometimes, we have additional objectives for collections, such as enrichment for desirable traits controlled by adaptive alleles. We used landscape genomic datasets for two plants, Westringia fruticosa and Wilkiea huegeliana, to design collections that are genetically diverse, and that are adapted to warming climates. We characterized temperature adaptation by: (i) using the mean annual temperature of the sites of origin of the plants, and (ii) using the representation of alleles that are associated with warm temperatures. In Westringia fruticosa, there was a negative correlation, or tradeoff, between designing a collection that was both genetically diverse and adapted to warm temperatures. This tradeoff was weaker in Wilkiea huegeliana. We hypothesized this was because neutral genetic variation was strongly correlated with temperature in Westringia fruticosa, and not in Wilkiea huegeliana. Accordingly, when we shuffled the temperature data, breaking up the covariance between Westringia fruticosa genetic variation and temperature, there was a relaxation of the observed tradeoff. In sum, we explore tradeoffs between promoting genetic diversity and selecting for a specific trait in plant collections, and show that the strength of this tradeoff varies between two species. This represents a useful step towards understanding when selection will have a large cost in genetic diversity, and when it will be possible to design a collection that is both adapted and adaptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason G Bragg
- Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia.,School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Marlien van der Merwe
- Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
| | - Jia-Yee Samantha Yap
- Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
| | - Justin Borevitz
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Maurizio Rossetto
- Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
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22
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Anderson SJ, Côté SD, Richard JH, Shafer ABA. Genomic architecture of phenotypic extremes in a wild cervid. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:126. [PMID: 35151275 PMCID: PMC8841092 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08333-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the genes underlying fitness-related traits such as body size and male ornamentation can provide tools for conservation and management and are often subject to various selective pressures. Here we performed high-depth whole genome re-sequencing of pools of individuals representing the phenotypic extremes for antler and body size in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Samples were selected from a tissue repository containing phenotypic data for 4,466 male white-tailed deer from Anticosti Island, Quebec, with four pools representing the extreme phenotypes for antler and body size after controlling for age. Our results revealed a largely homogenous population but detected highly divergent windows between pools for both traits, with the mean allele frequency difference of 14% for and 13% for antler and body SNPs in outlier windows, respectively. Genes in outlier antler windows were enriched for pathways associated with cell death and protein metabolism and some of the most differentiated windows included genes associated with oncogenic pathways and reproduction, processes consistent with antler evolution and growth. Genes associated with body size were more nuanced, suggestive of a highly complex trait. Overall, this study revealed the complex genomic make-up of both antler morphology and body size in free-ranging white-tailed deer and identified target loci for additional analyses.
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23
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Stronen AV, Norman AJ, Vander Wal E, Paquet PC. The relevance of genetic structure in ecotype designation and conservation management. Evol Appl 2022; 15:185-202. [PMID: 35233242 PMCID: PMC8867706 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of ecotypes is complex, partly because of its interdisciplinary nature, but the idea is intrinsically valuable for evolutionary biology and applied conservation. The complex nature of ecotypes has spurred some confusion and inconsistencies in the literature, thereby limiting broader theoretical development and practical application. We provide suggestions for how incorporating genetic analyses can ease confusion and help define ecotypes. We approach this by systematically reviewing 112 publications across taxa that simultaneously mention the terms ecotype, conservation and management, to examine the current use of the term in the context of conservation and management. We found that most ecotype studies involve fish, mammals and plants with a focus on habitat use, which at 60% was the most common criterion used for categorization of ecotypes. Only 53% of the studies incorporated genetic analyses, and major discrepancies in available genomic resources among taxa could have contributed to confusion about the role of genetic structure in delineating ecotypes. Our results show that the rapid advances in genetic methods, also for nonmodel organisms, can help clarify the spatiotemporal distribution of adaptive and neutral genetic variation and their relevance to ecotype designations. Genetic analyses can offer empirical support for the ecotype concept and provide a timely measure of evolutionary potential, especially in changing environmental conditions. Genetic variation that is often difficult to detect, including polygenic traits influenced by small contributions from several genes, can be vital for adaptation to rapidly changing environments. Emerging ecotypes may signal speciation in progress, and findings from genome-enabled organisms can help clarify important selective factors driving ecotype development and persistence, and thereby improve preservation of interspecific genetic diversity. Incorporation of genetic analyses in ecotype studies will help connect evolutionary biology and applied conservation, including that of problematic groups such as natural hybrid organisms and urban or anthropogenic ecotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid V. Stronen
- Department of BiologyBiotechnical FacultyUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
- Department of Biotechnology and Life SciencesInsubria UniversityVareseItaly
- Department of Chemistry and BioscienceAalborg UniversityAalborgDenmark
| | - Anita J. Norman
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John’sNLCanada
| | - Paul C. Paquet
- Department of GeographyUniversity of VictoriaVictoriaBCCanada
- Raincoast Conservation FoundationSidneyBCCanada
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24
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Ketz AC, Robinson SJ, Johnson CJ, Samuel MD. Pathogen‐mediated selection and management implications for white‐tailed deer exposed to chronic wasting disease. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alison C. Ketz
- Wisconsin Cooperative Research Unit Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin Madison WI USA
| | - Stacie J. Robinson
- NOAA Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Honolulu HI USA
| | - Chad J. Johnson
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology University of Wisconsin Madison WI USA
| | - Michael D. Samuel
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin Madison WI USA
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25
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Quintero-Galvis JF, Saenz-Agudelo P, Amico GC, Vazquez S, Shafer ABA, Nespolo RF. Genomic diversity and Demographic History of the Dromiciops genus (Marsupialia: Microbiotheriidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2022; 168:107405. [PMID: 35033671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Three orders represent the South American fauna of marsupials. Of these, Microbiotheria was until recently known as a monotypic genus with the only surviving species Dromiciops gliroides (monito del monte). The recent proposal of a new Dromiciops species (Dromiciops bicinovici), together with new information on the origin and diversification of living microbioterians has changed the prevailing paradigm around the evolutionary history of these emblematic marsupials. Here, we used a RADseq approach to test for evidence of admixture and past or current gene flow among both species of Dromiciops and evaluate the genetic structure within D. gliroides. We analyzed 127 samples of Dromiciops distributed across the known distribution range of both species. We also inferred the joint demographic history of these lineages, thus corroborating the status of D. bozinovici as a distinct species. Demographic history reconstruction indicated that D. bozinovici diverged from D. gliroides around 4my ago and has remained isolated and demographically stable ever since. In contrast, D. gliroides is subdivided into three subclades that experienced recent expansions and moderate gene flow among them (mostly from north to south). Furthermore, genetic distances among populations within D. gliroides were significantly correlated with geographic distances. These results suggest that some of the D. gliroides populations would have survived in glacial refuges, with posterior expansions after ice retreat. Our results have important implications for the systematics of the genus and have profound conservation consequences for the new species, especially considering the fragmentation level of the temperate rainforest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian F Quintero-Galvis
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia. Chile; Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias mención Ecología y Evolución, Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile; Millenium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile.
| | - Pablo Saenz-Agudelo
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia. Chile
| | - Guillermo C Amico
- INIBIOMA, CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Soledad Vazquez
- INIBIOMA, CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Aaron B A Shafer
- Department of Forensic Science & Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Roberto F Nespolo
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia. Chile; Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 6513677, Chile; Millenium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile; Millennium Nucleus of Patagonian Limit of Life (LiLi), Valdivia. Chile.
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26
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Genetic approaches for increasing fitness in endangered species. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:332-345. [PMID: 35027225 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The global rate of wildlife extinctions is accelerating, and the persistence of many species requires conservation breeding programs. A central paradigm of these programs is to preserve the genetic diversity of the founder populations. However, this may preserve original characteristics that make them vulnerable to extinction. We introduce targeted genetic intervention (TGI) as an alternative approach that promotes traits that enable species to persist in the face of threats by changing the incidence of alleles that impact on fitness. The TGI toolkit includes methods with established efficacy in model organisms and agriculture but are largely untried for conservation, such as synthetic biology and artificial selection. We explore TGI approaches as a species-restoration tool for intractable threats including infectious disease and climate change.
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27
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Chen Z, Grossfurthner L, Loxterman JL, Masingale J, Richardson BA, Seaborn T, Smith B, Waits LP, Narum SR. Applying genomics in assisted migration under climate change: Framework, empirical applications, and case studies. Evol Appl 2022; 15:3-21. [PMID: 35126645 PMCID: PMC8792483 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The rate of global climate change is projected to outpace the ability of many natural populations and species to adapt. Assisted migration (AM), which is defined as the managed movement of climate-adapted individuals within or outside the species ranges, is a conservation option to improve species' adaptive capacity and facilitate persistence. Although conservation biologists have long been using genetic tools to increase or maintain diversity of natural populations, genomic techniques could add extra benefit in AM that include selectively neutral and adaptive regions of the genome. In this review, we first propose a framework along with detailed procedures to aid collaboration among scientists, agencies, and local and regional managers during the decision-making process of genomics-guided AM. We then summarize the genomic approaches for applying AM, followed by a literature search of existing incorporation of genomics in AM across taxa. Our literature search initially identified 729 publications, but after filtering returned only 50 empirical studies that were either directly applied or considered genomics in AM related to climate change across taxa of plants, terrestrial animals, and aquatic animals; 42 studies were in plants. This demonstrated limited application of genomic methods in AM in organisms other than plants, so we provide further case studies as two examples to demonstrate the negative impact of climate change on non-model species and how genomics could be applied in AM. With the rapidly developing sequencing technology and accumulating genomic data, we expect to see more successful applications of genomics in AM, and more broadly, in the conservation of biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqi Chen
- Aquaculture Research InstituteUniversity of IdahoHagermanIdahoUSA
| | - Lukas Grossfurthner
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate ProgramUniversity of IdahoHagermanIdahoUSA
| | - Janet L. Loxterman
- Department of Biological SciencesIdaho State UniversityPocatelloIdahoUSA
| | | | | | - Travis Seaborn
- Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
| | - Brandy Smith
- Department of Biological SciencesIdaho State UniversityPocatelloIdahoUSA
| | - Lisette P. Waits
- Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
| | - Shawn R. Narum
- Columbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish CommissionHagermanIdahoUSA
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28
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Khan A, Patel K, Shukla H, Viswanathan A, van der Valk T, Borthakur U, Nigam P, Zachariah A, Jhala YV, Kardos M, Ramakrishnan U. Genomic evidence for inbreeding depression and purging of deleterious genetic variation in Indian tigers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2023018118. [PMID: 34848534 PMCID: PMC8670471 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2023018118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing habitat fragmentation leads to wild populations becoming small, isolated, and threatened by inbreeding depression. However, small populations may be able to purge recessive deleterious alleles as they become expressed in homozygotes, thus reducing inbreeding depression and increasing population viability. We used whole-genome sequences from 57 tigers to estimate individual inbreeding and mutation load in a small-isolated and two large-connected populations in India. As expected, the small-isolated population had substantially higher average genomic inbreeding (FROH = 0.57) than the large-connected (FROH = 0.35 and FROH = 0.46) populations. The small-isolated population had the lowest loss-of-function mutation load, likely due to purging of highly deleterious recessive mutations. The large populations had lower missense mutation loads than the small-isolated population, but were not identical, possibly due to different demographic histories. While the number of the loss-of-function alleles in the small-isolated population was lower, these alleles were at higher frequencies and homozygosity than in the large populations. Together, our data and analyses provide evidence of 1) high mutation load, 2) purging, and 3) the highest predicted inbreeding depression, despite purging, in the small-isolated population. Frequency distributions of damaging and neutral alleles uncover genomic evidence that purifying selection has removed part of the mutation load across Indian tiger populations. These results provide genomic evidence for purifying selection in both small and large populations, but also suggest that the remaining deleterious alleles may have inbreeding-associated fitness costs. We suggest that genetic rescue from sources selected based on genome-wide differentiation could offset any possible impacts of inbreeding depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anubhab Khan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India;
| | - Kaushalkumar Patel
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Harsh Shukla
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Ashwin Viswanathan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India
- Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore 570017, India
| | | | | | - Parag Nigam
- Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun 248001, India
| | | | | | - Marty Kardos
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA 98112;
| | - Uma Ramakrishnan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India;
- Department of Biotechnology-Wellcome Trust India Alliance, Hyderabad 500034, India
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29
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Kardos M, Armstrong EE, Fitzpatrick SW, Hauser S, Hedrick PW, Miller JM, Tallmon DA, Funk WC. The crucial role of genome-wide genetic variation in conservation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2104642118. [PMID: 34772759 PMCID: PMC8640931 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2104642118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented rate of extinction calls for efficient use of genetics to help conserve biodiversity. Several recent genomic and simulation-based studies have argued that the field of conservation biology has placed too much focus on conserving genome-wide genetic variation, and that the field should instead focus on managing the subset of functional genetic variation that is thought to affect fitness. Here, we critically evaluate the feasibility and likely benefits of this approach in conservation. We find that population genetics theory and empirical results show that conserving genome-wide genetic variation is generally the best approach to prevent inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive potential from driving populations toward extinction. Focusing conservation efforts on presumably functional genetic variation will only be feasible occasionally, often misleading, and counterproductive when prioritized over genome-wide genetic variation. Given the increasing rate of habitat loss and other environmental changes, failure to recognize the detrimental effects of lost genome-wide genetic variation on long-term population viability will only worsen the biodiversity crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marty Kardos
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA 98112;
| | | | - Sarah W Fitzpatrick
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI 49060
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Samantha Hauser
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211
| | - Philip W Hedrick
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Joshua M Miller
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA 92027
- Polar Bears International, Bozeman, MT 59772
- Department of Biological Sciences, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada
| | - David A Tallmon
- Biology and Marine Biology Program, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK 99801
| | - W Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
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30
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New developments in the field of genomic technologies and their relevance to conservation management. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRecent technological advances in the field of genomics offer conservation managers and practitioners new tools to explore for conservation applications. Many of these tools are well developed and used by other life science fields, while others are still in development. Considering these technological possibilities, choosing the right tool(s) from the toolbox is crucial and can pose a challenging task. With this in mind, we strive to inspire, inform and illuminate managers and practitioners on how conservation efforts can benefit from the current genomic and biotechnological revolution. With inspirational case studies we show how new technologies can help resolve some of the main conservation challenges, while also informing how implementable the different technologies are. We here focus specifically on small population management, highlight the potential for genetic rescue, and discuss the opportunities in the field of gene editing to help with adaptation to changing environments. In addition, we delineate potential applications of gene drives for controlling invasive species. We illuminate that the genomic toolbox offers added benefit to conservation efforts, but also comes with limitations for the use of these novel emerging techniques.
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31
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Baecklund TM, Donaldson ME, Hueffer K, Kyle CJ. Genetic structure of immunologically associated candidate genes suggests arctic rabies variants exert differential selection in arctic fox populations. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258975. [PMID: 34714859 PMCID: PMC8555846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Patterns of local adaptation can emerge in response to the selective pressures diseases exert on host populations as reflected in increased frequencies of respective, advantageous genotypes. Elucidating patterns of local adaptation enhance our understanding of mechanisms of disease spread and the capacity for species to adapt in context of rapidly changing environments such as the Arctic. Arctic rabies is a lethal disease that largely persists in northern climates and overlaps with the distribution of its natural host, arctic fox. Arctic fox populations display little neutral genetic structure across their North American range, whereas phylogenetically unique arctic rabies variants are restricted in their geographic distributions. It remains unknown if arctic rabies variants impose differential selection upon host populations, nor what role different rabies variants play in the maintenance and spread of this disease. Using a targeted, genotyping-by-sequencing assay, we assessed correlations of arctic fox immunogenetic variation with arctic rabies variants to gain further insight into the epidemiology of this disease. Corroborating past research, we found no neutral genetic structure between sampled regions, but did find moderate immunogenetic structuring between foxes predominated by different arctic rabies variants. FST outliers associated with host immunogenetic structure included SNPs within interleukin and Toll-like receptor coding regions (IL12B, IL5, TLR3 and NFKB1); genes known to mediate host responses to rabies. While these data do not necessarily reflect causation, nor a direct link to arctic rabies, the contrasting genetic structure of immunologically associated candidate genes with neutral loci is suggestive of differential selection and patterns of local adaptation in this system. These data are somewhat unexpected given the long-lived nature and dispersal capacities of arctic fox; traits expected to undermine local adaptation. Overall, these data contribute to our understanding of the co-evolutionary relationships between arctic rabies and their primary host and provide data relevant to the management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan M. Baecklund
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael E. Donaldson
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Karsten Hueffer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States of America
| | - Christopher J. Kyle
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
- Forensic Science Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
- Natural Resources DNA Profiling & Forensic Centre, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
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32
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Foster Y, Dutoit L, Grosser S, Dussex N, Foster BJ, Dodds KG, Brauning R, Van Stijn T, Robertson F, McEwan JC, Jacobs JME, Robertson BC. Genomic signatures of inbreeding in a critically endangered parrot, the kākāpō. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkab307. [PMID: 34542587 PMCID: PMC8527487 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Events of inbreeding are inevitable in critically endangered species. Reduced population sizes and unique life-history traits can increase the severity of inbreeding, leading to declines in fitness and increased risk of extinction. Here, we investigate levels of inbreeding in a critically endangered flightless parrot, the kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus), wherein a highly inbred island population and one individual from the mainland of New Zealand founded the entire extant population. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), and a genotype calling approach using a chromosome-level genome assembly, identified a filtered set of 12,241 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among 161 kākāpō, which together encompass the total genetic potential of the extant population. Multiple molecular-based estimates of inbreeding were compared, including genome-wide estimates of heterozygosity (FH), the diagonal elements of a genomic-relatedness matrix (FGRM), and runs of homozygosity (RoH, FRoH). In addition, we compared levels of inbreeding in chicks from a recent breeding season to examine if inbreeding is associated with offspring survival. The density of SNPs generated with GBS was sufficient to identify chromosomes that were largely homozygous with RoH distributed in similar patterns to other inbred species. Measures of inbreeding were largely correlated and differed significantly between descendants of the two founding populations. However, neither inbreeding nor ancestry was found to be associated with reduced survivorship in chicks, owing to unexpected mortality in chicks exhibiting low levels of inbreeding. Our study highlights important considerations for estimating inbreeding in critically endangered species, such as the impacts of small population sizes and admixture between diverse lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Foster
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ludovic Dutoit
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Stefanie Grosser
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Nicolas Dussex
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brodie J Foster
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ken G Dodds
- AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - Rudiger Brauning
- AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - Tracey Van Stijn
- AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - Fiona Robertson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - John C McEwan
- AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | | | - Bruce C Robertson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
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33
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Wold J, Koepfli KP, Galla SJ, Eccles D, Hogg CJ, Le Lec MF, Guhlin J, Santure AW, Steeves TE. Expanding the conservation genomics toolbox: Incorporating structural variants to enhance genomic studies for species of conservation concern. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:5949-5965. [PMID: 34424587 PMCID: PMC9290615 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Structural variants (SVs) are large rearrangements (>50 bp) within the genome that impact gene function and the content and structure of chromosomes. As a result, SVs are a significant source of functional genomic variation, that is, variation at genomic regions underpinning phenotype differences, that can have large effects on individual and population fitness. While there are increasing opportunities to investigate functional genomic variation in threatened species via single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data sets, SVs remain understudied despite their potential influence on fitness traits of conservation interest. In this future-focused Opinion, we contend that characterizing SVs offers the conservation genomics community an exciting opportunity to complement SNP-based approaches to enhance species recovery. We also leverage the existing literature-predominantly in human health, agriculture and ecoevolutionary biology-to identify approaches for readily characterizing SVs and consider how integrating these into the conservation genomics toolbox may transform the way we manage some of the world's most threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Wold
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, Front Royal, Virginia, USA.,Centre for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Stephanie J Galla
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - David Eccles
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marissa F Le Lec
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Joseph Guhlin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.,Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tammy E Steeves
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
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34
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Vranken S, Wernberg T, Scheben A, Severn-Ellis AA, Batley J, Bayer PE, Edwards D, Wheeler D, Coleman MA. Genotype-Environment mismatch of kelp forests under climate change. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:3730-3746. [PMID: 34018645 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is increasingly impacting ecosystems globally. Understanding adaptive genetic diversity and whether it will keep pace with projected climatic change is necessary to assess species' vulnerability and design efficient mitigation strategies such as assisted adaptation. Kelp forests are the foundations of temperate reefs globally but are declining in many regions due to climate stress. A lack of knowledge of kelp's adaptive genetic diversity hinders assessment of vulnerability under extant and future climates. Using 4245 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we characterized patterns of neutral and putative adaptive genetic diversity for the dominant kelp in the southern hemisphere (Ecklonia radiata) from ~1000 km of coastline off Western Australia. Strong population structure and isolation-by-distance was underpinned by significant signatures of selection related to temperature and light. Gradient forest analysis of temperature-linked SNPs under selection revealed a strong association with mean annual temperature range, suggesting adaptation to local thermal environments. Critically, modelling revealed that predicted climate-mediated temperature changes will probably result in high genomic vulnerability via a mismatch between current and future predicted genotype-environment relationships such that kelp forests off Western Australia will need to significantly adapt to keep pace with projected climate change. Proactive management techniques such as assisted adaptation to boost resilience may be required to secure the future of these kelp forests and the immense ecological and economic values they support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Vranken
- UWA Oceans Institute, Crawley, WA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Thomas Wernberg
- UWA Oceans Institute, Crawley, WA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, His, Norway
| | - Armin Scheben
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jacqueline Batley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Philipp Emanuel Bayer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - David Edwards
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - David Wheeler
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | - Melinda Ann Coleman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- New South Wales Fisheries, National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
- National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
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35
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Genomic Approaches for Conservation Management in Australia under Climate Change. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11070653. [PMID: 34357024 PMCID: PMC8304512 DOI: 10.3390/life11070653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation genetics has informed threatened species management for several decades. With the advent of advanced DNA sequencing technologies in recent years, it is now possible to monitor and manage threatened populations with even greater precision. Climate change presents a number of threats and challenges, but new genomics data and analytical approaches provide opportunities to identify critical evolutionary processes of relevance to genetic management under climate change. Here, we discuss the applications of such approaches for threatened species management in Australia in the context of climate change, identifying methods of facilitating viability and resilience in the face of extreme environmental stress. Using genomic approaches, conservation management practices such as translocation, targeted gene flow, and gene-editing can now be performed with the express intention of facilitating adaptation to current and projected climate change scenarios in vulnerable species, thus reducing extinction risk and ensuring the protection of our unique biodiversity for future generations. We discuss the current barriers to implementing conservation genomic projects and the efforts being made to overcome them, including communication between researchers and managers to improve the relevance and applicability of genomic studies. We present novel approaches for facilitating adaptive capacity and accelerating natural selection in species to encourage resilience in the face of climate change.
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36
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Haworth SE, Nituch L, Northrup JM, Shafer ABA. Characterizing the demographic history and prion protein variation to infer susceptibility to chronic wasting disease in a naïve population of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus). Evol Appl 2021; 14:1528-1539. [PMID: 34178102 PMCID: PMC8210793 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessments of the adaptive potential in natural populations are essential for understanding and predicting responses to environmental stressors like climate change and infectious disease. Species face a range of stressors in human-dominated landscapes, often with contrasting effects. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; deer) are expanding in the northern part of their range following decreasing winter severity and increasing forage availability. Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease affecting deer, is likewise expanding and represents a major threat to deer and other cervids. We obtained tissue samples from free-ranging deer across their native range in Ontario, Canada, which has yet to detect CWD in wild populations. We used high-throughput sequencing to assess neutral genomic variation and variation in the prion protein gene (PRNP) that is partly responsible for the protein misfolding when deer contract CWD. Neutral variation revealed a high number of rare alleles and no population structure, and demographic models suggested a rapid historical population expansion. Allele frequencies of PRNP variants associated with CWD susceptibility and disease progression were evenly distributed across the landscape and consistent with deer populations not infected with CWD. We estimated the selection coefficient of CWD, with simulations showing an observable and rapid shift in PRNP allele frequencies that coincides with the start of a novel CWD outbreak. Sustained surveillance of genomic and PRNP variation can be a useful tool for guiding management practices, which is especially important for CWD-free regions where deer are managed for ecological and economic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Haworth
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent UniversityPeterboroughONCanada
| | - Larissa Nituch
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring SectionOntario Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestryTrent UniversityPeterboroughONCanada
| | - Joseph M. Northrup
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent UniversityPeterboroughONCanada
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring SectionOntario Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestryTrent UniversityPeterboroughONCanada
| | - Aaron B. A. Shafer
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent UniversityPeterboroughONCanada
- Department of ForensicsTrent UniversityPeterboroughONCanada
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37
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Stahlke AR, Epstein B, Barbosa S, Margres MJ, Patton AH, Hendricks SA, Veillet A, Fraik AK, Schönfeld B, McCallum HI, Hamede R, Jones ME, Storfer A, Hohenlohe PA. Contemporary and historical selection in Tasmanian devils ( Sarcophilus harrisii) support novel, polygenic response to transmissible cancer. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210577. [PMID: 34034517 PMCID: PMC8150010 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are evolving in response to a unique transmissible cancer, devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), first described in 1996. Persistence of wild populations and the recent emergence of a second independently evolved transmissible cancer suggest that transmissible cancers may be a recurrent feature in devils. Here, we compared signatures of selection across temporal scales to determine whether genes or gene pathways under contemporary selection (six to eight generations) have also been subject to historical selection (65-85 Myr). First, we used targeted sequencing, RAD-capture, in approximately 2500 devils in six populations to identify genomic regions subject to rapid evolution. We documented genome-wide contemporary evolution, including 186 candidate genes related to cell cycling and immune response. Then we used a molecular evolution approach to identify historical positive selection in devils compared to other marsupials and found evidence of selection in 1773 genes. However, we found limited overlap across time scales, with only 16 shared candidate genes, and no overlap in enriched functional gene sets. Our results are consistent with a novel, multi-locus evolutionary response of devils to DFTD. Our results can inform conservation by identifying high priority targets for genetic monitoring and guiding maintenance of adaptive potential in managed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R. Stahlke
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Brendan Epstein
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Soraia Barbosa
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Mark J. Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Austin H. Patton
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sarah A. Hendricks
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Anne Veillet
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Alexandra K. Fraik
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Barbara Schönfeld
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Hamish I. McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Paul A. Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
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38
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Stahlke A, Bell D, Dhendup T, Kern B, Pannoni S, Robinson Z, Strait J, Smith S, Hand BK, Hohenlohe PA, Luikart G. Population Genomics Training for the Next Generation of Conservation Geneticists: ConGen 2018 Workshop. J Hered 2021; 111:227-236. [PMID: 32037446 PMCID: PMC7117792 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esaa001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing availability and complexity of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data sets make ongoing training an essential component of conservation and population genetics research. A workshop entitled “ConGen 2018” was recently held to train researchers in conceptual and practical aspects of NGS data production and analysis for conservation and ecological applications. Sixteen instructors provided helpful lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises regarding how to plan, produce, and analyze data for many important research questions. Lecture topics ranged from understanding probabilistic (e.g., Bayesian) genotype calling to the detection of local adaptation signatures from genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic data. We report on progress in addressing central questions of conservation genomics, advances in NGS data analysis, the potential for genomic tools to assess adaptive capacity, and strategies for training the next generation of conservation genomicists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Stahlke
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Donavan Bell
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
| | - Tashi Dhendup
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.,Department of Forest and Park Services, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research, Bumthang, Bhutan
| | - Brooke Kern
- Division of Biological Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.,Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
| | - Samuel Pannoni
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.,Flathead Lake Biological Station, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
| | - Zachary Robinson
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
| | - Jeffrey Strait
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
| | - Seth Smith
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.,Flathead Lake Biological Station, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.,Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Brian K Hand
- Division of Biological Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.,Flathead Lake Biological Station, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Gordon Luikart
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.,Division of Biological Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.,Flathead Lake Biological Station, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
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39
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Seaborn T, Andrews KR, Applestein CV, Breech TM, Garrett MJ, Zaiats A, Caughlin TT. Integrating genomics in population models to forecast translocation success. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Travis Seaborn
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences University of Idaho Moscow ID U.S.A
| | - Kimberly R. Andrews
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST) University of Idaho Moscow ID U.S.A
| | | | - Tyler M. Breech
- Department of Biological Sciences Idaho State University Pocatello ID U.S.A
| | - Molly J. Garrett
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences University of Idaho Moscow ID U.S.A
| | - Andrii Zaiats
- Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise ID U.S.A
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40
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Hardy BM, Pope KL, Latch EK. Genomic signatures of demographic declines in an imperiled amphibian inform conservation action. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. M. Hardy
- Behavioral and Molecular Ecology Research Group Department of Biological Sciences University of Wisconsin‐Milwaukee Milwaukee WI USA
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
| | - K. L. Pope
- United States Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station Arcata CA USA
| | - E. K. Latch
- Behavioral and Molecular Ecology Research Group Department of Biological Sciences University of Wisconsin‐Milwaukee Milwaukee WI USA
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41
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Bootsma ML, Miller L, Sass GG, Euclide PT, Larson WA. The ghosts of propagation past: haplotype information clarifies the relative influence of stocking history and phylogeographic processes on contemporary population structure of walleye ( Sander vitreus). Evol Appl 2021; 14:1124-1144. [PMID: 33897825 PMCID: PMC8061267 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stocking of fish is an important tool for maintaining fisheries but can also significantly alter population genetic structure and erode the portfolio of within-species diversity that is important for promoting resilience and adaptability. Walleye (Sander vitreus) are a highly valued sportfish in the midwestern United States, a region characterized by postglacial recolonization from multiple lineages and an extensive history of stocking. We leveraged genomic data and recently developed analytical approaches to explore the population structure of walleye from two midwestern states, Minnesota and Wisconsin. We genotyped 954 walleye from 23 populations at ~20,000 loci using genotyping by sequencing and tested for patterns of population structure with single-SNP and microhaplotype data. Populations from Minnesota and Wisconsin were highly differentiated from each other, with additional substructure found in each state. Population structure did not consistently adhere to drainage boundaries, as cases of high intra-drainage and low inter-drainage differentiation were observed. Low genetic structure was observed between populations from the upper Wisconsin and upper Chippewa river watersheds, which are found as few as 50 km apart and were likely homogenized through historical stocking. Nevertheless, we were able to differentiate these populations using microhaplotype-based co-ancestry analysis, providing increased resolution over previous microsatellite studies and our other single SNP-based analyses. Although our results illustrate that walleye population structure has been influenced by past stocking practices, native ancestry still exists in most populations and walleye populations may be able to purge non-native alleles and haplotypes in the absence of stocking. Our study is one of the first to use genomic tools to investigate the influence of stocking on population structure in a nonsalmonid fish and outlines a workflow leveraging recently developed analytical methods to improve resolution of complex population structure that will be highly applicable in many species and systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L. Bootsma
- Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research UnitCollege of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWIUSA
| | - Loren Miller
- Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMNUSA
| | - Greg G. Sass
- Office of Applied ScienceWisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesEscanaba Lake Research StationBoulder JunctionWIUSA
| | - Peter T. Euclide
- Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research UnitCollege of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWIUSA
| | - Wesley A. Larson
- U.S. Geological SurveyWisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research UnitCollege of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWIUSA
- Present address:
Ted Stevens Marine Research InstituteAlaska Fisheries Science CenterNational Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationJuneauAKUSA
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42
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McFarlane SE, Senn HV, Smith SL, Pemberton JM. Locus-specific introgression in young hybrid swarms: Drift may dominate selection. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:2104-2115. [PMID: 33638185 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Closely related species that have previously inhabited geographically separated ranges are hybridizing at an increasing rate due to human disruptions. These human-mediated hybrid zones can be used to study reproductive isolation between species at secondary contact, including examining locus-specific rates of introgression. Introgression is expected to be heterogenous across the genome, reflecting variation in selection. Those loci that introgress especially slowly are good candidates for being involved in reproductive isolation, while those loci that introgress quickly may be involved in adaptive introgression. In the context of conservation, policy makers are especially concerned about introduced alleles moving quickly into the background of a native or endemic species, as these alleles could replace the native alleles in the population, leading to extinction via hybridization. We applied genomic cline analyses to 44,997 SNPs to identify loci introgressing more or less when compared to the genome wide expectation in a human-mediated hybridizing population of red deer and sika in Kintyre Scotland. We found 11.4% of SNPs had cline centres that were significantly different from the genome wide expectation, and 17.6% of all SNPs had excess rates of introgression. Based on simulations, we believe that many of these markers have diverged from the genome-wide average due to drift, rather than because of selection, and we suggest that these simulations can be useful as a null distribution for future studies of genomic clines. Future work on red deer and sika could determine the policy implications of allelic-replacement due to drift rather than selection, and could use replicate, geographically distinct hybrid zones to narrow down those loci that are responding to selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Eryn McFarlane
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Helen V Senn
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,WildGenes Laboratory, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stephanie L Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Josephine M Pemberton
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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43
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Hoffmann AA, Miller AD, Weeks AR. Genetic mixing for population management: From genetic rescue to provenancing. Evol Appl 2021; 14:634-652. [PMID: 33767740 PMCID: PMC7980264 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal and plant species around the world are being challenged by the deleterious effects of inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity, and maladaptation due to widespread habitat destruction and rapid climate change. In many cases, interventions will likely be needed to safeguard populations and species and to maintain functioning ecosystems. Strategies aimed at initiating, reinstating, or enhancing patterns of gene flow via the deliberate movement of genotypes around the environment are generating growing interest with broad applications in conservation and environmental management. These diverse strategies go by various names ranging from genetic or evolutionary rescue to provenancing and genetic resurrection. Our aim here is to provide some clarification around terminology and to how these strategies are connected and linked to underlying genetic processes. We draw on case studies from the literature and outline mechanisms that underlie how the various strategies aim to increase species fitness and impact the wider community. We argue that understanding mechanisms leading to species decline and community impact is a key to successful implementation of these strategies. We emphasize the need to consider the nature of source and recipient populations, as well as associated risks and trade-offs for the various strategies. This overview highlights where strategies are likely to have potential at population, species, and ecosystem scales, but also where they should probably not be attempted depending on the overall aims of the intervention. We advocate an approach where short- and long-term strategies are integrated into a decision framework that also considers nongenetic aspects of management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ary A. Hoffmann
- School of BioSciencesBio21 InstituteThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Adam D. Miller
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesCentre for Integrative EcologyDeakin UniversityWarrnamboolVic.Australia
- Deakin Genomics CentreDeakin UniversityGeelongVic.Australia
| | - Andrew R. Weeks
- School of BioSciencesBio21 InstituteThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
- cesar Pty LtdParkvilleVic.Australia
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44
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Willis SC, Hess JE, Fryer JK, Whiteaker JM, Brun C, Gerstenberger R, Narum SR. Steelhead ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) lineages and sexes show variable patterns of association of adult migration timing and age-at-maturity traits with two genomic regions. Evol Appl 2020; 13:2836-2856. [PMID: 33294026 PMCID: PMC7691471 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As life history diversity plays a critical role in supporting the resilience of exploited populations, understanding the genetic basis of those life history variations is important for conservation management. However, effective application requires a robust understanding of the strength and universality of genetic associations. Here, we examine genetic variation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genomic regions previously associated with migration phenology and age-at-maturity in steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from the Columbia River. We found chromosome 28 markers (GREB1L, ROCK1 genes) explained significant variance in migration timing in both coastal and inland steelhead. However, strength of association was much greater in coastal than inland steelhead (R 2 0.51 vs. 0.08), suggesting that genomic background and challenging inland migration pathways may act to moderate effects of this region. Further, we found that chromosome 25 candidate markers (SIX6 gene) were significantly associated with age and size at first return migration for inland steelhead, and this pattern was mediated by sex in a predictable pattern (males R 2 = 0.139-0.170; females R 2 = 0.096-0.111). While this encourages using these candidate regions in predicting life history characteristics, we suggest that stock-specific associations and haplotype frequencies will be useful in guiding implementation of genetic assays to inform management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart C. Willis
- Hagerman Genetics LaboratoryColumbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish CommissionHagermanIDUSA
| | - Jon E. Hess
- Hagerman Genetics LaboratoryColumbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish CommissionHagermanIDUSA
| | - Jeff K. Fryer
- Fishery Science DepartmentColumbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish CommissionPortlandORUSA
| | - John M. Whiteaker
- Fishery Science DepartmentColumbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish CommissionPortlandORUSA
| | - Chris Brun
- Branch of Natural Resources – Fisheries, Confederated Tribes of Warm SpringsPortlandORUSA
| | - Ryan Gerstenberger
- Branch of Natural Resources – Fisheries, Confederated Tribes of Warm SpringsPortlandORUSA
| | - Shawn R. Narum
- Hagerman Genetics LaboratoryColumbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish CommissionHagermanIDUSA
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45
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Hohenlohe PA, Funk WC, Rajora OP. Population genomics for wildlife conservation and management. Mol Ecol 2020; 30:62-82. [PMID: 33145846 PMCID: PMC7894518 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Biodiversity is under threat worldwide. Over the past decade, the field of population genomics has developed across nonmodel organisms, and the results of this research have begun to be applied in conservation and management of wildlife species. Genomics tools can provide precise estimates of basic features of wildlife populations, such as effective population size, inbreeding, demographic history and population structure, that are critical for conservation efforts. Moreover, population genomics studies can identify particular genetic loci and variants responsible for inbreeding depression or adaptation to changing environments, allowing for conservation efforts to estimate the capacity of populations to evolve and adapt in response to environmental change and to manage for adaptive variation. While connections from basic research to applied wildlife conservation have been slow to develop, these connections are increasingly strengthening. Here we review the primary areas in which population genomics approaches can be applied to wildlife conservation and management, highlight examples of how they have been used, and provide recommendations for building on the progress that has been made in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences and Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - W Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Om P Rajora
- Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
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46
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Koch IJ, Narum SR. Validation and association of candidate markers for adult migration timing and fitness in Chinook Salmon. Evol Appl 2020; 13:2316-2332. [PMID: 33005226 PMCID: PMC7513726 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have begun to elucidate the genetic basis for phenotypic traits in salmonid species, but many questions remain before these candidate genes can be directly incorporated into conservation management. In Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), a region of major effect for migration timing has been discovered that harbors two adjacent candidate genes (greb1L, rock1), but there has been limited work to examine the association between these genes and migratory phenotypes at the individual, compared to the population, level. To provide a more thorough test of individual phenotypic association within lineages of Chinook Salmon, 33 candidate markers were developed across a 220 Kb region on chromosome 28 previously associated with migration timing. Candidate and neutral markers were genotyped in individuals from representative collections that exhibit phenotypic variation in timing of arrival to spawning grounds from each of three lineages of Chinook Salmon. Association tests confirmed the majority of markers on chromosome 28 were significantly associated with arrival timing and the strongest association was consistently observed for markers within the rock1 gene and the intergenic region between greb1L and rock1. Candidate markers alone explained a wide range of phenotypic variation for Lower Columbia and Interior ocean-type lineages (29% and 78%, respectively), but less for the Interior stream-type lineage (5%). Individuals that were heterozygous at markers within or upstream of rock1 had phenotypes that suggested a pattern of dominant inheritance for early arrival across populations. Finally, previously published fitness estimates from the Interior stream-type lineage enabled tests of association with arrival timing and two candidate markers, which revealed that fish with homozygous mature genotypes had slightly higher fitness than fish with premature genotypes, while heterozygous fish were intermediate. Overall, these results provide additional information for individual-level genetic variation associated with arrival timing that may assist with conservation management of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilana J Koch
- Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Hagerman ID USA
| | - Shawn R Narum
- Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Hagerman ID USA
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47
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Jamieson A, Anderson SJ, Fuller J, Côté SD, Northrup JM, Shafer ABA. Heritability Estimates of Antler and Body Traits in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) From Genomic-Relatedness Matrices. J Hered 2020; 111:429-435. [PMID: 32692835 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esaa023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimating heritability (h2) is required to predict the response to selection and is useful in species that are managed or farmed using trait information. Estimating h2 in free-ranging populations is challenging due to the need for pedigrees; genomic-relatedness matrices (GRMs) circumvent this need and can be implemented in nearly any system where phenotypic and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are available. We estimated the heritability of 5 body and 3 antler traits in a free-ranging population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada. We generated classic and robust GRMs from >10,000 SNPs: hind foot length, dressed body mass, and peroneus muscle mass had high h2 values of 0.62, 0.44, and 0.55, respectively. Heritability in male-only antler features ranged from 0.07 to 0.33. We explored the influence of filtering by minor allele frequency and data completion on h2: GRMs derived from fewer SNPs had reduced h2 estimates and the relatedness coefficients significantly deviated from those generated with more SNPs. As a corollary, we discussed limitations to the application of GRMs in the wild, notably how skewed GRMs, specifically many unrelated individuals, can increase variance around h2 estimates. This is the first study to estimate h2 on a free-ranging population of white-tailed deer and should be informative for breeding designs and management as these traits could respond to selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan Jamieson
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Spencer J Anderson
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Jérémie Fuller
- Département de biologie, Centre d'études nordiques and NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Integrated Resource Management of Anticosti Island, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Steeve D Côté
- Département de biologie, Centre d'études nordiques and NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Integrated Resource Management of Anticosti Island, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Joseph M Northrup
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada.,Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Aaron B A Shafer
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada.,Forensics Program Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
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48
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Aguirre-Liguori JA, Luna-Sánchez JA, Gasca-Pineda J, Eguiarte LE. Evaluation of the Minimum Sampling Design for Population Genomic and Microsatellite Studies: An Analysis Based on Wild Maize. Front Genet 2020; 11:870. [PMID: 33193568 PMCID: PMC7531271 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Massive parallel sequencing (MPS) is revolutionizing the field of molecular ecology by allowing us to understand better the evolutionary history of populations and species, and to detect genomic regions that could be under selection. However, the economic and computational resources needed generate a tradeoff between the amount of loci that can be obtained and the number of populations or individuals that can be sequenced. In this work, we analyzed and compared two simulated genomic datasets fitting a hierarchical structure, two extensive empirical genomic datasets, and a dataset comprising microsatellite information. For all datasets, we generated different subsampling designs by changing the number of loci, individuals, populations, and individuals per population to test for deviations in classic population genetics parameters (HS, FIS, FST). For the empirical datasets we also analyzed the effect of sampling design on landscape genetic tests (isolation by distance and environment, central abundance hypothesis). We also tested the effect of sampling a different number of populations in the detection of outlier SNPs. We found that the microsatellite dataset is very sensitive to the number of individuals sampled when obtaining summary statistics. FIS was particularly sensitive to a low sampling of individuals in the simulated, genomic, and microsatellite datasets. For the empirical and simulated genomic datasets, we found that as long as many populations are sampled, few individuals and loci are needed. For the empirical datasets, we found that increasing the number of populations sampled was important in obtaining precise landscape genetic estimates. Finally, we corroborated that outlier tests are sensitive to the number of populations sampled. We conclude by proposing different sampling designs depending on the objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonás A Aguirre-Liguori
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Javier A Luna-Sánchez
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jaime Gasca-Pineda
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis E Eguiarte
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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49
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Ochoa A, Broe M, Moriarty Lemmon E, Lemmon AR, Rokyta DR, Gibbs HL. Drift, selection and adaptive variation in small populations of a threatened rattlesnake. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:2612-2625. [PMID: 32557885 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
An important goal of conservation genetics is to determine if the viability of small populations is reduced by a loss of adaptive variation due to genetic drift. Here, we assessed the impact of drift and selection on direct measures of adaptive variation (toxin loci encoding venom proteins) in the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus), a threatened reptile that exists in small isolated populations. We estimated levels of individual polymorphism in 46 toxin loci and 1,467 control loci across 12 populations of this species, and compared the results with patterns of selection on the same loci following speciation of S. catenatus and its closest relative, the western massasauga (S. tergeminus). Multiple lines of evidence suggest that both drift and selection have had observable impacts on standing adaptive variation. In support of drift effects, we found little evidence for selection on toxin variation within populations and a significant positive relationship between current levels of adaptive variation and long- and short-term estimates of effective population size. However, we also observed levels of directional selection on toxin loci among populations that are broadly similar to patterns predicted from interspecific selection analyses that pre-date the effects of recent drift, and that functional variation in these loci persists despite small short-term effective sizes. This suggests that much of the adaptive variation present in populations may represent an example of "drift debt," a nonequilibrium state where present-day levels of variation overestimate the amount of functional genetic diversity present in future populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ochoa
- Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership and Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Michael Broe
- Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership and Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Alan R Lemmon
- Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Darin R Rokyta
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - H Lisle Gibbs
- Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership and Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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50
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Milot E, Béchet A, Maris V. The dimensions of evolutionary potential in biological conservation. Evol Appl 2020; 13:1363-1379. [PMID: 32684964 PMCID: PMC7359841 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It is now well admitted by ecologists that the conservation of biodiversity should imply preserving the evolutionary processes that will permit its adaptation to ongoing and future environmental changes. This is attested by the ever-growing reference to the conservation of evolutionary potential in the scientific literature. The impression that one may have when reading papers is that conserving evolutionary potential can only be a good thing, whatever biological system is under scrutiny. However, different objectives, such as maintaining species richness versus ecosystem services, may express different, when not conflicting, underlying values attributed to biodiversity. For instance, biodiversity can be intrinsically valued, as worth it to be conserved per se, or it can be conserved as a means for human flourishing. Consequently, both the concept of evolutionary potential and the prescriptions derived from the commitment to conserve it remain problematic, due to a lack of explicit mention of the norms underlying different conservation visions. Here, we contend that those who advocate for the conservation of evolutionary potential should position their conception along four dimensions: what vehicles instantiate the evolutionary potential relevant to their normative commitment; what temporality is involved; how measurable evolutionary potential is, and what degree of human influence is tolerated. We need to address these dimensions if we are to determine why and when the maintenance of evolutionary potential is an appropriate target for the conservation of biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Milot
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Trois-Rivières Québec Canada
| | - Arnaud Béchet
- Tour du Valat Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands Arles France
| | - Virginie Maris
- Centre d'écologie fonctionnelle et évolutive, CNRS, EPHE, IRD Univ Montpellier Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 Montpellier France
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