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Jenkins L, McKnight DT, Parks M, Byer NW, Oliaro FJ, Thompson D, Scott R. Variable effects of captivity on microbiomes in populations of IUCN-endangered Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii). J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae121. [PMID: 38755020 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae121] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Microbiome composition is increasingly considered in species reintroduction efforts and may influence survival and reproductive success. Many turtle species are threatened by anthropogenic pressures and are frequently raised in captivity for reintroduction efforts, yet little is known about turtle microbiome composition in either wild or captive settings. Here, we investigated trends in microbiome composition of captive and wild IUCN-endangered Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii). METHODS AND RESULTS We amplified and sequenced the V4 region of the 16S rDNA locus from plastron, cloaca, and water samples of wild E. blandingii adults and two populations of captive E. blandingii juveniles being raised for headstarting. Plastron, cloaca, and water-associated microbiomes differed strongly from each other and were highly variable among captive sites and between captive and wild sites. Across plastron, cloaca, and water-associated microbial communities, microbial diversity changed over time, but not in a predictable direction between captive sites. Plastron beta diversity correlated with growth rate in captive samples, indicating that external microbiomes may correlate with individual fitness. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that external and internal microbiomes vary between captive and wild turtles and may reflect differences in fitness of captive-raised individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Jenkins
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States
- Department of Biology, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187, United States
| | | | - Matthew Parks
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK 73034, United States
| | - Nathan W Byer
- Division of Natural Resources, Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland, OH 44144, United States
| | - Francis J Oliaro
- Conservation Research Department, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
| | - Dan Thompson
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
| | - Rodney Scott
- Department of Biology, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187, United States
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Bertola LV, Hoskin CJ, Jones DB, Zenger KR, McKnight DT, Higgie M. The first linkage map for Australo-Papuan Treefrogs (family: Pelodryadidae) reveals the sex-determination system of the Green-eyed Treefrog (Litoria serrata). Heredity (Edinb) 2023; 131:263-272. [PMID: 37542195 PMCID: PMC10539516 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00642-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibians represent a useful taxon to study the evolution of sex determination because of their highly variable sex-determination systems. However, the sex-determination system for many amphibian families remains unknown, in part because of a lack of genomic resources. Here, using an F1 family of Green-eyed Treefrogs (Litoria serrata), we produce the first genetic linkage map for any Australo-Papuan Treefrogs (family: Pelodryadidae). The resulting linkage map contains 8662 SNPs across 13 linkage groups. Using an independent set of sexed adults, we identify a small region in linkage group 6 matching an XY sex-determination system. These results suggest Litoria serrata possesses a male heterogametic system, with a candidate sex-determination locus on linkage group 6. Furthermore, this linkage map represents the first genomic resource for Australo-Papuan Treefrogs, an ecologically diverse family of over 220 species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo V Bertola
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
| | - Conrad J Hoskin
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - David B Jones
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Kyall R Zenger
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Donald T McKnight
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, West Wodonga, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3690, Australia
| | - Megan Higgie
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
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3
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Zhang S, Bi Y, Zhao J, Yao M. To the north: eDNA tracing of the seasonal and spatial dynamics of fish assemblages along the world's largest water diversion project. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 331:117217. [PMID: 36621023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Extensive water diversion projects that have been increasingly installed worldwide transport essential water resources as well as a large number of biota. However, studies of the dynamic processes of such transport have been limited. The South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China is the largest manmade water diversion system ever constructed. Here, in a year-long project, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to assess fish biodiversity and assemblage composition along the Project's 1277-km main canal, while also investigating the temporal, spatial, and functional trait drivers of changes in the fish assemblages. Together, 45 fish taxa were detected, with substantial compositional variations between seasons. The number of detected species typically dropped upon entering the canal but remained relatively constant along the canal's length. Spatial variations in fish assemblages were generally dominated by the turnover component over nestedness, and a positive spatial autocorrelation of qualitative assemblage composition was detected within 80 km in all seasons. Furthermore, several functional traits, such as smaller body size, invertivorous diet, rheophilic living, and lithophilic and demersal spawning, were positive predictors of fish presence along the length of the canal and they may boost species chances of introduction to the recipient areas. Our results provide crucial information for ecological management of diversion projects and have key implications for modelling and predicting foreign species invasion through water transfers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yonghong Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jindong Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Meng Yao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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McKnight DT, Ard K, Auguste RJ, Barhadiya G, Benard MF, Boban P, Dillon ML, Downs CT, DeGregorio BA, Glorioso BM, Goodman RM, Hird C, Hollender EC, Kennedy M, Kidman RA, Massey A, McGovern P, Mühlenhaupt M, Ostovar K, Podgorski D, Price C, Reinke BA, Streeting LM, Venezia J, Young J, Nordberg EJ. Nocturnal basking in freshwater turtles: a global assessment. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
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5
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Conservation genomics reveals fine-scale population structuring and recent declines in the Critically Endangered Australian Kuranda Treefrog. CONSERV GENET 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01499-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
AbstractThe Kuranda Treefrog occurs in tropical north-east Australia and is listed as Critically Endangered due to its small distribution and population size, with observed declines due to drought and human-associated impacts to habitat. Field surveys identified marked population declines in the mid-2000s, culminating in very low abundance at most sites in 2005 and 2006, followed by limited recovery. Here, samples from before (2001–2004) and after (2007–2009) this decline were analysed using 7132 neutral genome-wide SNPs to assess genetic connectivity among breeding sites, genetic erosion, and effective population size. We found a high level of genetic connectivity among breeding sites, but also structuring between the population at the eastern end of the distribution (Jumrum Creek) versus all other sites. Despite finding no detectable sign of genetic erosion between the two times periods, we observed a marked decrease in effective population size (Ne), from 1720 individuals pre-decline to 818 post-decline. This mirrors the decline detected in the field census data, but the magnitude of the decline suggested by the genetic data is greater. We conclude that the current effective population size for the Kuranda Treefrog remains around 800 adults, split equally between Jumrum Creek and all other sites combined. The Jumrum Creek habitat requires formal protection. Connectivity among all other sites must be maintained and improved through continued replanting of rainforest, and it is imperative that impacts to stream flow and water quality are carefully managed to maintain or increase population sizes and prevent genetic erosion.
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McKnight DT, Huerlimann R, Bower DS, Schwarzkopf L, Alford RA, Zenger KR. The interplay of fungal and bacterial microbiomes on rainforest frogs following a disease outbreak. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Donald T. McKnight
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Roger Huerlimann
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
- Marine Climate Change Unit Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Onnason Okinawa Japan
| | - Deborah S. Bower
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
- School of Environmental and Rural Science University of New England Armidale New South Wales Australia
| | - Lin Schwarzkopf
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Ross A. Alford
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Kyall R. Zenger
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
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7
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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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Fisher MC, Pasmans F, Martel A. Virulence and Pathogenicity of Chytrid Fungi Causing Amphibian Extinctions. Annu Rev Microbiol 2021; 75:673-693. [PMID: 34351790 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-052621-124212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ancient enzootic associations between wildlife and their infections allow evolution to innovate mechanisms of pathogenicity that are counterbalanced by host responses. However, erosion of barriers to pathogen dispersal by globalization leads to the infection of hosts that have not evolved effective resistance and the emergence of highly virulent infections. Global amphibian declines driven by the rise of chytrid fungi and chytridiomycosis are emblematic of emerging infections. Here, we review how modern biological methods have been used to understand the adaptations and counteradaptations that these fungi and their amphibian hosts have evolved. We explore the interplay of biotic and abiotic factors that modify the virulence of these infections and dissect the complexity of this disease system. We highlight progress that has led to insights into how we might in the future lessen the impact of these emerging infections. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Fisher
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom;
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - An Martel
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Byrne AQ, Richards-Zawacki CL, Voyles J, Bi K, Ibáñez R, Rosenblum EB. Whole exome sequencing identifies the potential for genetic rescue in iconic and critically endangered Panamanian harlequin frogs. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:50-70. [PMID: 33150627 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Avoiding extinction in a rapidly changing environment often relies on a species' ability to quickly adapt in the face of extreme selective pressures. In Panamá, two closely related harlequin frog species (Atelopus varius and Atelopus zeteki) are threatened with extinction due to the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Once thought to be nearly extirpated from Panamá, A. varius have recently been rediscovered in multiple localities across their historical range; however, A. zeteki are possibly extinct in the wild. By leveraging a unique collection of 186 Atelopus tissue samples collected before and after the Bd outbreak in Panama, we describe the genetics of persistence for these species on the brink of extinction. We sequenced the transcriptome and developed an exome-capture assay to sequence the coding regions of the Atelopus genome. Using these genetic data, we evaluate the population genetic structure of historical A. varius and A. zeteki populations, describe changes in genetic diversity over time, assess the relationship between contemporary and historical individuals, and test the hypothesis that some A. varius populations have rapidly evolved to resist or tolerate Bd infection. We found a significant decrease in genetic diversity in contemporary (compared to historical) A. varius populations. We did not find strong evidence of directional allele frequency change or selection for Bd resistance genes, but we uncovered a set of candidate genes that warrant further study. Additionally, we found preliminary evidence of recent migration and gene flow in one of the largest persisting A. varius populations in Panamá, suggesting the potential for genetic rescue in this system. Finally, we propose that previous conservation units should be modified, as clear genetic breaks do not exist beyond the local population level. Our data lay the groundwork for genetically informed conservation and advance our understanding of how imperiled species might be rescued from extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Q Byrne
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Jamie Voyles
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Ke Bi
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Roberto Ibáñez
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panamá, República de Panamá
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, SENACYT, Clayton, Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Erica Bree Rosenblum
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
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