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Luo J, Cai Y, Xie Y, Jin X, Yu J, Xu M, Liu X, Li J. Genetic assessment of eight zoo populations of golden snub-nosed monkey ( Rhinopithecus roxellana) implication to the conservation management of captive populations. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13726. [PMID: 38832080 PMCID: PMC11146145 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Captive breeding programs play an important role in preserving the genetic diversity of endangered species. It is of utmost importance to conduct genetic assessment for captive populations in order to develop scientific breeding plans and conservation management strategies. Here, we genotyped 10 microsatellite loci and sequenced 368 bp of mitochondrial DNA control region for the golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) from eight captive populations in China, and compared the genetic indices of captive populations with a wild population. Meanwhile, we performed paternity tests to verify the genealogical records and established genetic lineages. A total of 157 individuals were identified from 161 fecal samples, including 135 captive individuals (approximately 25% of captive individuals in China). Microsatellite analysis showed that the nine populations had moderate levels of genetic diversity, with polymorphism information content (PIC) ranging from 0.43 to 0.542; the genetic diversity of captive populations (average PIC: 0.503) was slightly higher than that of the wild population (PIC: 0.438). The Structure analysis indicated that individuals of the eight captive populations contained two different genetic components. We conducted either single-blind or double-blind paternity testing on 40 offspring of captive individuals and found that five offspring from two zoos (Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo and Shanghai Wild Animal Park) showed discrepant kinships from their pedigree records, probably due to the inaccuracies in pedigree records. By constructing genetic pedigrees, inbred offspring were found in Beijing Zoo, Shanghai Zoo, Hangzhou Zoo, and Chengdu Zoo. Analysis based on mitochondrial DNA showed a high level of genetic diversity in the eight captive populations (mean nucleotide diversity: 0.047). However, no nucleotide diversity was found in the wild population. This study conducted a genetic survey for captive golden snub-nosed monkeys and will significantly benefit the genetic conservation management for captive populations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxia Luo
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yansen Cai
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetic, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Yuchen Xie
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xianlin Jin
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jianqiu Yu
- Chengdu Zoo, Chengdu Research Institute of WildlifeChengduChina
| | - Mei Xu
- Chengdu Zoo, Chengdu Research Institute of WildlifeChengduChina
| | - Xuanzhen Liu
- Chengdu Zoo, Chengdu Research Institute of WildlifeChengduChina
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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Zhang L, Zhang HL, Chen Y, Nizamani MM, Wu T, Liu T, Zhou Q. Assessing genetic diversity in critically endangered Chieniodendron hainanense populations within fragmented habitats in Hainan. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6988. [PMID: 38523175 PMCID: PMC10961303 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56630-0] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation has led to a reduction in the geographic distribution of species, making small populations vulnerable to extinction due to environmental, demographic, and genetic factors. The wild plant Chieniodendron hainanense, a species with extremely small populations, is currently facing endangerment and thus requires urgent conservation efforts. Understanding its genetic diversity is essential for uncovering the underlying mechanisms of its vulnerability and for developing effective conservation strategies. In our study, we analyzed 35 specimens from six different populations of C. hainanense using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) methodologies. Our findings indicate that C. hainanense has limited genetic diversity. The observed heterozygosity across the populations ranged from 10.79 to 14.55%, with an average of 13.15%. We categorized the six populations of C. hainanense into two distinct groups: (1) Diaoluoshan and Baishaling, and (2) Wuzhishan, Huishan, Bawangling, and Jianfengling. The genetic differentiation among these populations was found to be relatively weak. The observed loss of diversity is likely a result of the effects of natural selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Guizhou Normal University Museum, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Hai-Li Zhang
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Yukai Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China.
| | - Mir Muhammad Nizamani
- Department of Plant Pathology, Agricultural College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550001, China.
| | - Tingtian Wu
- Hainan Academy of Forestry, Hainan Academy of Mangrove, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Guizhou Normal University Museum, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
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3
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Nagy I, Nguyen TA. Characterizing and Eliminating the Inbreeding Load. Vet Sci 2023; 11:8. [PMID: 38250914 PMCID: PMC10819885 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11010008] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The authors evaluated the relevant literature related to purging, which is the interaction between selection and inbreeding in which the population may eliminate its inbreeding load at least partially. According to the relevant literature, the inbreeding load and the process of purging were evaluated via pedigree methods based on ancestral inbreeding, the inbreeding-purging model, and expressed opportunity of purging, along with genomic methods. Most ancestral inbreeding-related studies were performed in zoos, where only a small proportion of the studied populations show signs of purging. The inbreeding-purging model was developed with Drosophila, and it was used to evaluate different zoo ungulates and Pannon white rabbits. Purging was detected in both studies. The expressed opportunity of purging was applied in Jersey cattle and Pannon white rabbits. In the Jersey cattle, it had an effect of 12.6% for fitness, while in the Pannon white rabbits, the inbreeding load was between 40% and 80% of its original value. The genomic studies also signalled purging, but they also made it clear that, contrary to the detected purging, the evaluated populations still suffered from inbreeding depression. Therefore, especially for domesticated animals, it can be concluded that deliberate inbreeding with the purpose of generating purging is not advocated.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Nagy
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Guba Sándor u. 40, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary;
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Tschol M, Reid JM, Bocedi G. Environmental variance in male mating success modulates the positive versus negative impacts of sexual selection on genetic load. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:1242-1254. [PMID: 37497848 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14202] [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: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Sexual selection on males is predicted to increase population fitness, and delay population extinction, when mating success negatively covaries with genetic load across individuals. However, such benefits of sexual selection could be counteracted by simultaneous increases in genome-wide drift resulting from reduced effective population size caused by increased variance in fitness. Resulting fixation of deleterious mutations could be greatest in small populations, and when environmental variation in mating traits partially decouples sexual selection from underlying genetic variation. The net consequences of sexual selection for genetic load and population persistence are therefore likely to be context dependent, but such variation has not been examined. We use a genetically explicit individual-based model to show that weak sexual selection can increase population persistence time compared to random mating. However, for stronger sexual selection such positive effects can be overturned by the detrimental effects of increased genome-wide drift. Furthermore, the relative strengths of mutation-purging and drift critically depend on the environmental variance in the male mating trait. Specifically, increasing environmental variance caused stronger sexual selection to elevate deleterious mutation fixation rate and mean selection coefficient, driving rapid accumulation of drift load and decreasing population persistence times. These results highlight an intricate balance between conflicting positive and negative consequences of sexual selection on genetic load, even in the absence of sexually antagonistic selection. They imply that environmental variances in key mating traits, and intrinsic genetic drift, should be properly factored into future theoretical and empirical studies of the evolution of population fitness under sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane M Reid
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Institutt for Biologi, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Greta Bocedi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Chowdhury LM, Chaturvedi S, Mandal S, Kumar R, Singh RK, Lal KK, Mohindra V. Development of novel microsatellite markers for population differentiation and detection of natural selection in wild populations of butter catfish, Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794). Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:2435-2444. [PMID: 36595121 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-08105-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus) is a preferred species in South East Asia, with huge aquaculture potential. However, there is limited information about genetic stock composition due to insufficient markers. The goal of this study was to develop de novo microsatellite markers. METHODS AND RESULTS For sequencing, genomic SMRT bell libraries (1.5 Kbp size) were prepared for O. bimaculatus. A total of 114 SSR containing sequences were used for primer designing. Polymorphic loci were validated by genotyping 83 individuals from four distant riverine populations, viz., Brahmaputra, Bichiya, Gomti and Kaveri. A total of 30 microsatellite loci were polymorphic, of which five were found to be associated with functional genes and eight (four positive and four negative) loci were found to be under selection pressure. A total of 115 alleles were detected in all loci and PIC ranged from 0.539 to 0.927 and pair-wise FST values from 0.1267 to 0.26002 (p < 0.001), with an overall FST value of 0.17047, indicating the presence of population sub-structure. Cross-species transferability of 29 loci (96.67%) was successful in congener species, Ompok pabda. CONCLUSION The novel SSR markers developed in this study would facilitate stock characterization of natural populations, to be used in future selection breeding programs and planning conservation strategies in these species. Identified non-neutral markers will give insights into the effect of local adaptation on genetic differentiation in the natural population of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Labrechai Mog Chowdhury
- Fish Conservation Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Canal Ring Road, PO-Dilkusha, 226002, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shradha Chaturvedi
- Fish Conservation Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Canal Ring Road, PO-Dilkusha, 226002, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sangeeta Mandal
- ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Canal Ring Road, PO-Dilkusha, 226002, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. .,Fish Conservation Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Canal Ring Road, PO-Dilkusha, 226002, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Fish Conservation Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Canal Ring Road, PO-Dilkusha, 226002, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rajeev K Singh
- Fish Conservation Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Canal Ring Road, PO-Dilkusha, 226002, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kuldeep K Lal
- ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Canal Ring Road, PO-Dilkusha, 226002, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vindhya Mohindra
- Fish Conservation Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Canal Ring Road, PO-Dilkusha, 226002, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Banos G, Talenti A, Chatziplis D, Sánchez-Molano E. Genomic analysis of the rare British Lop pig and identification of distinctive genomic markers. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271053. [PMID: 35960784 PMCID: PMC9374264 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271053] [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: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Concentration of production on a few commercial pig breeds has led to the marginalization of many native, numerically small breeds, increasing their risk of endangerment. In the UK, one such rare breed is the British Lop, a lop-eared breed, of similar origin to the Welsh breed. The objective of the present study was to address the genomic status of the British Lop and its relationship with other breeds and identify a small set of genomic markers that uniquely characterize and distinguish British Lop animals. Results have shown that the British Lop is a relatively distinct population with reduced genomic diversity and effective size consistent with its status as a rare breed. Furthermore, we demonstrated the genetic closeness of the British Lop to phenotypically similar breeds such as Landrace and Welsh as well Large White, Middle White and Pietrain. Finally, a set of 75 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms distributed across multiple chromosomes were identified and validated as markers that can consistently distinguish British Lops from other closely related breeds. Results may inform breeding and management strategies aiming to enhance diversity as well as the development of a breed purity test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Banos
- Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The Roslin Institute Building, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Talenti
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitrios Chatziplis
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Inspection of Agricultural Products, Department of Agriculture, International Hellenic University, Sindos, Greece
| | - Enrique Sánchez-Molano
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Pérez‐Pereira N, López‐Cortegano E, García‐Dorado A, Caballero A. Prediction of fitness under different breeding designs in conservation programs. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. Pérez‐Pereira
- Centro de Investigación Mariña Universidade de Vigo, Facultade de Bioloxía Vigo Spain
| | - E. López‐Cortegano
- Centro de Investigación Mariña Universidade de Vigo, Facultade de Bioloxía Vigo Spain
| | - A. García‐Dorado
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad Complutense Madrid Spain
| | - A. Caballero
- Centro de Investigación Mariña Universidade de Vigo, Facultade de Bioloxía Vigo Spain
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8
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Shi N, Naudiyal N, Wang J, Gaire NP, Wu Y, Wei Y, He J, Wang C. Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Potential Distribution of Meconopsis punicea and Its Influence on Ecosystem Services Supply in the Southeastern Margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:830119. [PMID: 35095992 PMCID: PMC8792861 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.830119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Meconopsis punicea is an iconic ornamental and medicinal plant whose natural habitat has degraded under global climate change, posing a serious threat to the future survival of the species. Therefore, it is critical to analyze the influence of climate change on possible distribution of M. punicea for conservation and sustainable utilization of this species. In this study, we used MaxEnt ecological niche modeling to predict the potential distribution of M. punicea under current and future climate scenarios in the southeastern margin region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Model projections under current climate show that 16.8% of the study area is suitable habitat for Meconopsis. However, future projections indicate a sharp decline in potential habitat for 2050 and 2070 climate change scenarios. Soil type was the most important environmental variable in determining the habitat suitability of M. punicea, with 27.75% contribution to model output. Temperature seasonality (16.41%), precipitation of warmest quarter (14.01%), and precipitation of wettest month (13.02%), precipitation seasonality (9.41%) and annual temperature range (9.24%) also made significant contributions to model output. The mean elevation of suitable habitat for distribution of M. punicea is also likely to shift upward in most future climate change scenarios. This study provides vital information for the protection and sustainable use of medicinal species like M. punicea in the context of global environmental change. Our findings can aid in developing rational, broad-scale adaptation strategies for conservation and management for ecosystem services, in light of future climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Shi
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Niyati Naudiyal
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinniu Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- Mangkang Ecological Station, Tibet Ecological Safety Monitor Network, Chengdu, China
| | - Narayan Prasad Gaire
- Key Lab of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, China
- Department of Environmental Science, Patan Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Yan Wu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanqiang Wei
- Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiali He
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunya Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
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9
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López-Cortegano E, Moreno E, García-Dorado A. Genetic purging in captive endangered ungulates with extremely low effective population sizes. Heredity (Edinb) 2021; 127:433-442. [PMID: 34584227 PMCID: PMC8551332 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-021-00473-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inbreeding threatens the survival of small populations by producing inbreeding depression, but also exposes recessive deleterious effects in homozygosis allowing for genetic purging. Using inbreeding-purging theory, we analyze early survival in four pedigreed captive breeding programs of endangered ungulates where population growth was prioritized so that most adult females were allowed to contribute offspring according to their fitness. We find evidence that purging can substantially reduce inbreeding depression in Gazella cuvieri (with effective population size Ne = 14) and Nanger dama (Ne = 11). No purging is detected in Ammotragus lervia (Ne = 4), in agreement with the notion that drift overcomes purging under fast inbreeding, nor in G. dorcas (Ne = 39) where, due to the larger population size, purging is slower and detection is expected to require more generations. Thus, although smaller populations are always expected to show smaller fitness (as well as less adaptive potential) than larger ones due to higher homozygosis and deleterious fixation, our results show that a substantial fraction of their inbreeding load and inbreeding depression can be purged when breeding contributions are governed by natural selection. Since management strategies intended to maximize the ratio from the effective to the actual population size tend to reduce purging, the search for a compromise between these strategies and purging could be beneficial in the long term. This could be achieved either by allowing some level of random mating and some role of natural selection in determining breeding contributions, or by undertaking reintroductions into the wild at the earliest opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio López-Cortegano
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eulalia Moreno
- grid.466639.80000 0004 0547 1725Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC), 04120 Almería, Spain
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10
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Samaha G, Wade CM, Mazrier H, Grueber CE, Haase B. Exploiting genomic synteny in Felidae: cross-species genome alignments and SNV discovery can aid conservation management. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:601. [PMID: 34362297 PMCID: PMC8348863 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07899-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While recent advances in genomics has enabled vast improvements in the quantification of genome-wide diversity and the identification of adaptive and deleterious alleles in model species, wildlife and non-model species have largely not reaped the same benefits. This has been attributed to the resources and infrastructure required to develop essential genomic datasets such as reference genomes. In the absence of a high-quality reference genome, cross-species alignments can provide reliable, cost-effective methods for single nucleotide variant (SNV) discovery. Here, we demonstrated the utility of cross-species genome alignment methods in gaining insights into population structure and functional genomic features in cheetah (Acinonyx jubatas), snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), relative to the domestic cat (Felis catus). Results Alignment of big cats to the domestic cat reference assembly yielded nearly complete sequence coverage of the reference genome. From this, 38,839,061 variants in cheetah, 15,504,143 in snow leopard and 13,414,953 in Sumatran tiger were discovered and annotated. This method was able to delineate population structure but limited in its ability to adequately detect rare variants. Enrichment analysis of fixed and species-specific SNVs revealed insights into adaptive traits, evolutionary history and the pathogenesis of heritable diseases. Conclusions The high degree of synteny among felid genomes enabled the successful application of the domestic cat reference in high-quality SNV detection. The datasets presented here provide a useful resource for future studies into population dynamics, evolutionary history and genetic and disease management of big cats. This cross-species method of variant discovery provides genomic context for identifying annotated gene regions essential to understanding adaptive and deleterious variants that can improve conservation outcomes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07899-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Samaha
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Claire M Wade
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hamutal Mazrier
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Catherine E Grueber
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bianca Haase
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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van der Weijden VA, Ulbrich SE. Embryonic diapause in roe deer: A model to unravel embryo-maternal communication during pre-implantation development in wildlife and livestock species. Theriogenology 2020; 158:105-111. [PMID: 32947063 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
An alarming number of large mammalian species with low reproduction rates is threatened with extinction. As basic knowledge of reproductive physiology is currently lacking in many species, increasing the understanding of reproductive physiology is imperative and includes the development of novel artificial reproduction technologies. Despite the relatively comprehensive knowledge on molecular mechanisms underlying reproduction in livestock species such as cattle, pregnancy failures are likewise far from understood. Contrary to other wildlife species, the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) displays a remarkably high pregnancy rate. In parts, cattle and roe deer exhibit comparable features of preimplantation embryo development. Therefore, understanding the high fertility rate in the roe deer holds a great potential for cross-species knowledge gain. As the only known species among the artiodactylae, the roe deer displays a long period of embryonic diapause. The preimplantation blastocyst reaches a diameter of 1 mm only at around 4 months compared to around 13 days post estrus in cattle. The expanded blastocyst survives in a uterine microenvironment that contains a unique set of yet unidentified factors that allow embryonic stem cells to proliferate at low pace without impairing their developmental potential. Upon reactivation, intimate embryo-maternal communication comparable to those reported in cattle is thought to occur. In this review, current knowledge, parallels and differences of reproductive physiology in cattle and roe deer are reviewed. The roe deer is proposed as a unique model species to (1) enhance our knowledge of fertility processes, (2) define factors that support embryo survival for an extended period, (3) advance knowledge on embryonic stem cells, and (4) unravel potential implications for the development of novel strategies for artificial reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- V A van der Weijden
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Switzerland
| | - S E Ulbrich
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Switzerland.
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12
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Jangtarwan K, Kamsongkram P, Subpayakom N, Sillapaprayoon S, Muangmai N, Kongphoemph A, Wongsodchuen A, Intapan S, Chamchumroon W, Safoowong M, Peyachoknagul S, Duengkae P, Srikulnath K. Predictive genetic plan for a captive population of the Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) and prescriptive action for ex situ and in situ conservation management in Thailand. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234064. [PMID: 32497115 PMCID: PMC7272075 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Captive breeding programs for endangered species can increase population numbers for eventual reintroduction to the wild. Captive populations are typically small and isolated, which results in inbreeding and reduction of genetic variability, and may lead to an increased risk of extinction. The Omkoi Wildlife Breeding Center maintains the only Thai captive Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) population, and has plans to reintroduce individuals into natural isolated populations. Genetic variability was assessed within the captive population using microsatellite data. Although no bottleneck was observed, genetic variability was low (allelic richness = 7.091 ± 0.756, He = 0.455 ± 0.219; He < Ho) and 11 microsatellite loci were informative that likely reflect inbreeding. Estimates of small effective population size and limited numbers of founders, combined with wild-born individuals within subpopulations, tend to cause reduction of genetic variability over time in captive programs. This leads to low reproductive fitness and limited ability to adapt to environmental change, thereby increasing the risk of extinction. Management of captive populations as evolutionarily significant units with diverse genetic backgrounds offers an effective strategy for population recovery. Relocation of individuals among subpopulations, or introduction of newly captured wild individuals into the captive program will help to ensure the future security of Chinese goral. Implications for future conservation actions for the species are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornsuang Jangtarwan
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Peerapong Kamsongkram
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Navapong Subpayakom
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Siwapech Sillapaprayoon
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narongrit Muangmai
- Department of Fishery Biology, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Adisorn Kongphoemph
- Deparment of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Apinya Wongsodchuen
- Deparment of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sanya Intapan
- Deparment of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wiyada Chamchumroon
- Deparment of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mongkol Safoowong
- Deparment of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surin Peyachoknagul
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Prateep Duengkae
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand (CASTNAR, NRU-KU, Thailand)
| | - Kornsorn Srikulnath
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
- Special Research Unit for Wildlife Genomics (SRUWG), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand (CASTNAR, NRU-KU, Thailand)
- Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology (AG-BIO/PERDO-CHE), Bangkok, Thailand
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Japan
- * E-mail:
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13
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Ball S, Hand N, Willman F, Durrant C, Uller T, Claus K, Mergeay J, Bauwens D, Garner TWJ. Genetic and demographic vulnerability of adder populations: Results of a genetic study in mainland Britain. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231809. [PMID: 32310990 PMCID: PMC7170227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic factors are often overlooked in conservation planning, despite their importance in small isolated populations. We used mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to investigate population genetics of the adder (Vipera berus) in southern Britain, where numbers are declining. We found no evidence for loss of heterozygosity in any of the populations studied. Genetic diversity was comparable across sites, in line with published levels for mainland Europe. However, further analysis revealed a striking level of relatedness. Genetic networks constructed from inferred first degree relationships suggested a high proportion of individuals to be related at a level equivalent to that of half-siblings, with rare inferred full-sib dyads. These patterns of relatedness can be attributed to the high philopatry and low vagility of adders, which creates high local relatedness, in combination with the polyandrous breeding system in the adder, which may offset the risk of inbreeding in closed populations. We suggest that reliance on standard genetic indicators of inbreeding and diversity may underestimate demographic and genetic factors that make adder populations vulnerable to extirpation. We stress the importance of an integrated genetic and demographic approach in the conservation of adders, and other taxa of similar ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ball
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), London, England, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Nigel Hand
- Central Ecology, Ledbury, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom
| | - Faye Willman
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), London, England, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Durrant
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), London, England, United Kingdom
- Royal Veterinary College, London, England, United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Uller
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Katja Claus
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Joachim Mergeay
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Dirk Bauwens
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Trenton W. J. Garner
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), London, England, United Kingdom
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Domínguez-García S, García C, Quesada H, Caballero A. Accelerated inbreeding depression suggests synergistic epistasis for deleterious mutations in Drosophila melanogaster. Heredity (Edinb) 2019; 123:709-722. [PMID: 31477803 PMCID: PMC6834575 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-019-0263-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Epistasis may have important consequences for a number of issues in quantitative genetics and evolutionary biology. In particular, synergistic epistasis for deleterious alleles is relevant to the mutation load paradox and the evolution of sex and recombination. Some studies have shown evidence of synergistic epistasis for spontaneous or induced deleterious mutations appearing in mutation-accumulation experiments. However, many newly arising mutations may not actually be segregating in natural populations because of the erasing action of natural selection. A demonstration of synergistic epistasis for naturally segregating alleles can be achieved by means of inbreeding depression studies, as deleterious recessive allelic effects are exposed in inbred lines. Nevertheless, evidence of epistasis from these studies is scarce and controversial. In this paper, we report the results of two independent inbreeding experiments carried out with two different populations of Drosophila melanogaster. The results show a consistent accelerated inbreeding depression for fitness, suggesting synergistic epistasis among deleterious alleles. We also performed computer simulations assuming different possible models of epistasis and mutational parameters for fitness, finding some of them to be compatible with the results observed. Our results suggest that synergistic epistasis for deleterious mutations not only occurs among newly arisen spontaneous or induced mutations, but also among segregating alleles in natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Domínguez-García
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Genética e Inmunología, Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Marina (CIM-UVIGO), Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain
| | - Carlos García
- CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Humberto Quesada
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Genética e Inmunología, Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Marina (CIM-UVIGO), Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain
| | - Armando Caballero
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Genética e Inmunología, Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Marina (CIM-UVIGO), Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
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15
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Schönherz AA, Szekeres BD, Nielsen VH, Guldbrandtsen B. Population structure and genetic characterization of two native Danish sheep breeds. ACTA AGR SCAND A-AN 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09064702.2019.1639804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. A. Schönherz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - B. D. Szekeres
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - V. H. Nielsen
- Danish Centre for Food and Agriculture, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - B. Guldbrandtsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
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16
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Jorge PH, Mastrochirico-Filho VA, Hata ME, Mendes NJ, Ariede RB, de Freitas MV, Vera M, Porto-Foresti F, Hashimoto DT. Genetic Characterization of the Fish Piaractus brachypomus by Microsatellites Derived from Transcriptome Sequencing. Front Genet 2018. [PMID: 29520294 PMCID: PMC5827183 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The pirapitinga, Piaractus brachypomus (Characiformes, Serrasalmidae), is a fish from the Amazon basin and is considered to be one of the main native species used in aquaculture production in South America. The objectives of this study were: (1) to perform liver transcriptome sequencing of pirapitinga through NGS and then validate a set of microsatellite markers for this species; and (2) to use polymorphic microsatellites for analysis of genetic variability in farmed stocks. The transcriptome sequencing was carried out through the Roche/454 technology, which resulted in 3,696 non-redundant contigs. Of this total, 2,568 contigs had similarity in the non-redundant (nr) protein database (Genbank) and 2,075 sequences were characterized in the categories of Gene Ontology (GO). After the validation process of 30 microsatellite loci, eight markers showed polymorphism. The analysis of these polymorphic markers in farmed stocks revealed that fish farms from North Brazil had a higher genetic diversity than fish farms from Southeast Brazil. AMOVA demonstrated that the highest proportion of variation was presented within the populations. However, when comparing different groups (1: Wild; 2: North fish farms; 3: Southeast fish farms), a considerable variation between the groups was observed. The FST values showed the occurrence of genetic structure among the broodstocks from different regions of Brazil. The transcriptome sequencing in pirapitinga provided important genetic resources for biological studies in this non-model species, and microsatellite data can be used as the framework for the genetic management of breeding stocks in Brazil, which might provide a basis for a genetic pre-breeding programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo H Jorge
- Aquaculture Center of Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Vito A Mastrochirico-Filho
- Aquaculture Center of Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Milene E Hata
- Aquaculture Center of Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Natália J Mendes
- Aquaculture Center of Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Raquel B Ariede
- Aquaculture Center of Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Milena Vieira de Freitas
- Aquaculture Center of Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Manuel Vera
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | | | - Diogo T Hashimoto
- Aquaculture Center of Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil
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17
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Astuti G, Roma-Marzio F, D'Antraccoli M, Bedini G, Carta A, Sebastiani F, Bruschi P, Peruzzi L. Conservation biology of the last Italian population of Cistus laurifolius (Cistaceae): demographic structure, reproductive success and population genetics. NATURE CONSERVATION 2017. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.22.19809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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18
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Circular mating as an option for the genetic management of captive populations: response to Caballero et al. Heredity (Edinb) 2017; 119:49-50. [PMID: 28327580 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2017.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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The risk of forcing inbreeding in conservation programmes: a reply to Theodorou and Couvet. Heredity (Edinb) 2017; 119:51-53. [PMID: 28327579 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2017.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
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20
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Caballero A, Bravo I, Wang J. Inbreeding load and purging: implications for the short-term survival and the conservation management of small populations. Heredity (Edinb) 2017; 118:177-185. [PMID: 27624114 PMCID: PMC5234482 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Using computer simulations, we evaluate the effects of genetic purging of inbreeding load in small populations, assuming genetic models of deleterious mutations which account for the typical amount of load empirically observed. Our results show that genetic purging efficiently removes the inbreeding load of both lethal and non-lethal mutations, reducing the amount of inbreeding depression relative to that expected without selection. We find that the minimum effective population size to avoid severe inbreeding depression in the short term is of the order of Ne≈70 for a wide range of species' reproductive rates. We also carried out simulations of captive breeding populations where two contrasting management methods are performed, one avoiding inbreeding (equalisation of parental contributions (EC)) and the other forcing it (circular sib mating (CM)). We show that, for the inbreeding loads considered, CM leads to unacceptably high extinction risks and, as a result, to lower genetic diversity than EC. Thus we conclude that methods aimed at enhancing purging by intentional inbreeding should not be generally advised in captive breeding conservation programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caballero
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Genética e Inmunología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
| | - I Bravo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Genética e Inmunología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
| | - J Wang
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
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21
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Spigler RB, Theodorou K, Chang S. Inbreeding depression and drift load in small populations at demographic disequilibrium. Evolution 2016; 71:81-94. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel B. Spigler
- Department of Biology Temple University 1900 N. 12th Street Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19122
| | - Konstantinos Theodorou
- Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, Department of Environment, University of the Aegean University Hill 81100 Mytilene Greece
| | - Shu‐Mei Chang
- Department of Plant Biology University of Georgia 2502 Miller Plant Sciences Athens Georgia 30602–7271
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22
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Price MR, Sischo D, Pascua MA, Hadfield MG. Demographic and genetic factors in the recovery or demise of ex situ populations following a severe bottleneck in fifteen species of Hawaiian tree snails. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1406. [PMID: 26587358 PMCID: PMC4647602 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Wild populations of endangered Hawaiian tree snails have declined precipitously over the last century due to introduced predators and other human impacts. Life history traits, such as very low fecundity (<5 offspring per year across taxa) and maturity at approximately four years of age have made recovery difficult. Conservation efforts such as in situ predator-free enclosures may increase survival to maturity by protecting offspring from predation, but no long-term data existed prior to this study demonstrating the demographic and genetic parameters necessary to maintain populations within those enclosures. We evaluated over 20 years of evidence for the dynamics of survival and extinction in captive ex situ populations of Hawaiian tree snails established from wild-collected individuals. From 1991 to 2006, small numbers of snails (<15) from fifteen species were collected from the wild to initiate captive-reared populations as a hedge against extinction. This small number of founders resulted in a severe bottleneck in each of the captive-reared populations. We identified key demographic parameters that predicted population recovery from this bottleneck. Species with captive populations that produced between two and four offspring per adult per year and had 20–50% of those offspring survive to maturity recovered to numbers above 100 individuals, and maintained viable populations following a decline that occurred between 2009 and 2014. Those populations that had less than two offspring per adult per year and less than 20% survival to maturity did not reach 100 individuals in captivity, and many of these populations died out during the recent decline. We suggest that small reductions in fitness may contribute to extirpation in taxa with inherently low fecundity, by keeping populations below a threshold number essential to long-term recovery. Future ex situ populations should be founded with no less than 15 adults, and maintained in conditions closely approximating the temperature and humidity of source locations to optimize fitness. Permanent translocations of wild populations for conservation purposes will be more likely to succeed with greater than 100 adults, and should be limited to locations with a similar climate to source locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R Price
- Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa , Honolulu, HI , USA ; Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa , Honolulu, HI , USA
| | - David Sischo
- Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources , Honolulu, HI , USA
| | | | - Michael G Hadfield
- Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa , Honolulu, HI , USA
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Genetic diversity and structure of Pinus dabeshanensis revealed by expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers. BIOCHEM SYST ECOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bse.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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24
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Genetic structure of captive and free-ranging okapi (Okapia johnstoni) with implications for management. CONSERV GENET 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-015-0726-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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