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Chen JA, Yu PJ, Jheng SW, Lin YZ, Sun PW, Ko WY, Lin CF, Ju YT. Mining expressed sequence tag (EST) microsatellite markers to assess the genetic differentiation of five Hynobius species endemic to Taiwan. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20898. [PMID: 39245775 PMCID: PMC11381558 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71887-1] [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: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Taiwan harbors five endemic species of salamanders (Hynobius spp.) that inhabit distinct alpine regions, contributing to population fragmentation across isolated "sky islands". With an evolutionary history spanning multiple glacial-interglacial cycles, these species represent an exceptional paradigm for exploring biogeography and speciation. However, a lack of suitable genetic markers applicable across species has limited research efforts. Thus, developing cross-amplifying markers is imperative. Expressed sequence-tag simple-sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) that amplify across divergent lineages are ideal for species identification in instances where phenotypic differentiation is challenging. Here, we report a suite of cross-amplifying EST-SSRs from the transcriptomes of the five Hynobius species that exhibit an interspecies transferability rate of 67.67%. To identify individual markers exhibiting cross-species polymorphism and to assess interspecies genetic diversity, we assayed 140 individuals from the five species across 84 sampling sites. A set of EST-SSRs with a high interspecies polymorphic information content (PIC = 0.63) effectively classified these individuals into five distinct clusters, as supported by discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), STRUCTURE assignment tests, and Neighbor-joining trees. Moreover, pair-wise FST values > 0.15 indicate notable between-cluster genetic divergence. Our set of 20 polymorphic EST-SSRs is suitable for assessing population structure within and among Hynobius species, as well as for long-term monitoring of their genetic composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jou-An Chen
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Ln. 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City, 106, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ju Yu
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Ln. 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City, 106, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Wun Jheng
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Ln. 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City, 106, Taiwan
| | - You-Zhu Lin
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Ln. 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City, 106, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Wei Sun
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ya Ko
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Fu Lin
- Zoology Division, Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute, No. 1 Minsheng East Road, Jiji, Nantou, 552, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Ten Ju
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Ln. 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City, 106, Taiwan.
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Le Roux R, Colmonero-Costeira I, Deikumah JP, Thompson LJ, Russo IRM, Jansen van Vuuren B, Willows-Munro S. High conservation importance of range-edge populations of Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus). Sci Rep 2024; 14:18040. [PMID: 39098950 PMCID: PMC11298522 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68756-2] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Critically endangered Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus Temminck, 1823), like many vulture species globally, are experiencing rapid population declines due to anthropogenic factors such as poisonings, human persecution, trading for belief-based use, and habitat loss/degradation. The Hooded Vulture is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa. Although it is considered one of the most abundant vultures in West Africa, this vulture species is less common in East and southern Africa, with the population at the southern-most edge of the distribution (in South Africa and Eswatini) estimated at only 100-200 mature individuals. The distribution of Hooded Vultures has contracted dramatically in southern Africa, with breeding populations largely confined to protected areas such as the Greater Kruger National Park. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of the southern African range-edge population and assess if the recent contraction in the distribution has resulted in the population experiencing a genetic bottleneck. Sixteen microsatellite loci were amplified for samples collected along the Olifants River in the Greater Kruger National Park (n = 30). The genetic diversity in the South African population was compared to samples (n = 30) collected in Ghana, where Hooded Vultures are more abundant. Contrary to expectations, the South African peripheral Hooded Vulture population showed higher levels of heterozygosity (HO = 0.495) than the Ghanaian population (HO = 0.315). Neither population showed signs of recent bottleneck events when tested using demographic modelling and Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC). However, both populations showed high levels of inbreeding and relatedness. Our results suggest that despite being a small peripheral population, the South African Hooded Vulture population showed a similar level of genetic diversity as individuals sampled from a core population within the species distribution (in Ghana). This study supports the need for Hooded Vulture conservation efforts in the southern African region and highlights the evolutionary importance of range-edge populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rynhardt Le Roux
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Science, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Ivo Colmonero-Costeira
- ONE, Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, The Museum Ave, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, CIAS, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Justus P Deikumah
- Department of Conservation Biology and Entomology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Lindy J Thompson
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Science, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Southern African Wildlife College, Private Bag X3015, Hoedspruit, 1380, South Africa
| | - Isa-Rita M Russo
- ONE, Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, The Museum Ave, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Bettine Jansen van Vuuren
- Department of Zoology, Centre for Ecological and Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa
| | - Sandi Willows-Munro
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Science, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
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Shen Y, Gong Y, Solovyeva D, Wang L, Li M, Hu M, Jiang Y, Vartanyan S, Wang H. Genetic diversity and shallow genetic differentiation of the endangered scaly-sided merganser Mergus squamatus. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70011. [PMID: 38983702 PMCID: PMC11233196 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70011] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Examining patterns of genetic diversity are crucial for conservation planning on endangered species, while inferring the underlying process of recent anthropogenic habitat modifications in the context potential long-term demographic changes remains challenging. The globally endangered scaly-sided merganser (SSME), Mergus squamatus, is endemic to a narrow range in Northeast Asia, and its population has recently been contracted into two main breeding areas. Although low genetic diversity has been suggested in the Russian population, the genetic status and demographic history of these individuals have not been fully elucidated. We therefore examined the genetic diversity and structure of the breeding populations of the SSME and investigated the relative importance of historical and recent demographic changes to the present-day pattern of genetic diversity. Using 10 nuclear microsatellite (SSR) markers and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences, we found limited female-inherited genetic diversity and a high level of nuclear genetic diversity. In addition, analysis of both markers consistently revealed significant but weak divergence between the breeding populations. Inconsistent demographic history parameters calculated from mtDNA and bottleneck analysis results based on SSR suggested a stable historical effective population size. By applying approximate Bayesian computation, it was estimated that populations started to genetically diverge from each other due to recent fragmentation events caused by anthropogenic effects rather than isolation during Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and post-LGM recolonization. These results suggest that limited historical population size and shallow evolutionary history may be potential factors contributing to the contemporary genetic diversity pattern of breeding SSME populations. Conservation efforts should focus on protecting the current breeding habitats from further destruction, with priority given to both the Russian and Chinese population, as well as restoring the connected suitable breeding grounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Shen
- School of Life Sciences Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Ye Gong
- School of Life Sciences Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Diana Solovyeva
- Institute of Biological Problems of the North FEB RAS Magadan Russia
| | - Lin Wang
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun China
| | - Mu Li
- School of Life Sciences Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Mengxuan Hu
- School of Life Sciences Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Yiwei Jiang
- School of Life Sciences Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Sergey Vartanyan
- North-East Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Institute n. a. N. A. Shilo, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences Magadan Russia
| | - Haitao Wang
- School of Life Sciences Northeast Normal University Changchun China
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Rato C, Deso G, Renet J, Delaugerre MJ, Marques V, Mochales-Riaño G. Colonization routes uncovered in a widely introduced Mediterranean gecko, Tarentola mauritanica. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16681. [PMID: 37794160 PMCID: PMC10551029 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43704-8] [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: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to understand the contemporary and ancient colonization routes of the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica, using simple sequence repeats. By analyzing the genetic diversity of populations in different regions, we found that Morocco is the genetic diversity hotspot for the species, followed by the Iberian Peninsula. However, historical gene flow estimates identified the Iberian Peninsula, not Morocco, as the primary contributor of colonizing individuals, along with continental Italy to a lesser extent. Currently, mainland Italy is the main source of introduced individuals, likely due to the plant nursery trade. The study suggests that human-facilitated introductions from various geographical origins, with numerous regions colonized through continental Italy during two distinct periods, are responsible for the recurrent entry of individuals belonging to the European lineage of T. mauritanica into the Mediterranean and Macaronesia. These findings can inform better monitoring surveys and conservation programs by identifying putative current colonization routes of alien species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Rato
- CIBIO - Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7, 4485-661, Vila do Conde, Portugal.
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
| | - Gregory Deso
- Ahpam (Association herpétologique de Provence Alpes Méditerranée), Maison des Associations 384 Route de Caderousse, 84100, Orange, France
| | - Julien Renet
- Fauna Studium, Scientific Consulting, 04290, Salignac, France
| | - Michel Jean Delaugerre
- Conservatoire du littoral. Résidence Saint Marc, Rue du Juge Falcone, 20200, Bastia, France
| | - Valéria Marques
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-UPF), Passeig de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Mochales-Riaño
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-UPF), Passeig de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
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Tesfa D, Feyissa T, Assefa K. Genetic diversity and population structure of selected tef core germplasm lines based on microsatellite markers. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:8603-8613. [PMID: 37653359 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08732-7] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tef is an indigenous and important food, feed, and cash crop for smallholder Ethiopian farmers. Knowledge of the natural genetic composition of the crop provides the option to further exploit its genetic potential through breeding. However, there are insufficient reports on the genetic variability of Ethiopian tef using a medium-throughput marker system. Hence, the current study was designed to evaluate the genetic variability of released and core germplasm that was collected earlier. METHODS AND RESULTS Eighty-one tef genotypes collected from eight Ethiopian ecological zones and released varieties were targeted using 14 SSR markers. The study yielded a total of 122 alleles across the entire locus and population. The molecular variance analysis indicated the existence of large genetic differentiation (FIS and FIT = 0.87), with 86% and 13% of the total variation accounted for among genotypes within the population and across all genotypes used for this study, respectively. However, low genetic differentiation among the populations (FST = 0.014, which accounts for 1%) was observed. Multivariate analyses such as clustering and PCoA did not cluster genotypes into distinct groups according to their geographical areas of population. This is presumably due to gene flow among populations. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our findings show that there is significant genetic diversity within populations, particularly in the Jimma, Tigray, and released varieties, as well as the presence of private alleles and heterozygosity. The study also indicates the existence of genotypic admixture in the studied materials. The identification of private alleles and their differentiation will be helpful in selecting breeding materials and creating breeding plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derejaw Tesfa
- Debereziet Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Abeba University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
| | - Tileye Feyissa
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Abeba University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
| | - Kebebew Assefa
- Debereziet Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
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Fozzi I, Brogi R, Cavazza S, Chirichella R, De Rosa D, Aresu M, Cerri J, Apollonio M, Berlinguer F. Insights on the best release strategy from post-release movements and mortality patterns in an avian scavenger. iScience 2023; 26:106699. [PMID: 37216129 PMCID: PMC10192545 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106699] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Conservation translocations involving vultures rely either on soft- or hard-release strategies. To investigate whether these strategies affect home range stability and survival, we compared the spatial behavior and mortality of 38 Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) released in Sardinia. Griffons were released after no acclimatization or after 3 (short) or 15 (long acclimatization) months in an aviary. In the two years that followed their release, griffons without acclimatization did not stabilize their home range size, while those subjected to long acclimatization stabilized it in the second year. Short-acclimatized griffons always had a large home range, soon after their release. The number of individuals that reached sexual maturity was higher (71.4%) in long-acclimatized griffons than in short-acclimatized ones (40%) or in griffons that were hard released (28.6%). Soft release with a long acclimatization period seems to be the most successful method to ensure stable home ranges and the survival of griffon vultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Fozzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Rudy Brogi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Silvia Cavazza
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberta Chirichella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Davide De Rosa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Jacopo Cerri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Berlinguer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Butterworth NJ, Wallman JF, Johnston NP, Dawson BM, Sharp-Heward J, McGaughran A. The blowfly Chrysomya latifrons inhabits fragmented rainforests, but shows no population structure. Oecologia 2023; 201:703-719. [PMID: 36773072 PMCID: PMC10038970 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05333-w] [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: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and deforestation are causing rainforests to become increasingly fragmented, placing them at heightened risk of biodiversity loss. Invertebrates constitute the greatest proportion of this biodiversity, yet we lack basic knowledge of their population structure and ecology. There is a compelling need to develop our understanding of the population dynamics of a wide range of rainforest invertebrates so that we can begin to understand how rainforest fragments are connected, and how they will cope with future habitat fragmentation and climate change. Blowflies are an ideal candidate for such research because they are widespread, abundant, and can be easily collected within rainforests. We genotyped 188 blowflies (Chrysomya latifrons) from 15 isolated rainforests and found high levels of gene flow, a lack of genetic structure between rainforests, and low genetic diversity - suggesting the presence of a single large genetically depauperate population. This highlights that: (1) the blowfly Ch. latifrons inhabits a ~ 1000 km stretch of Australian rainforests, where it plays an important role as a nutrient recycler; (2) strongly dispersing flies can migrate between and connect isolated rainforests, likely carrying pollen, parasites, phoronts, and pathogens along with them; and (3) widely dispersing and abundant insects can nevertheless be genetically depauperate. There is an urgent need to better understand the relationships between habitat fragmentation, genetic diversity, and adaptive potential-especially for poorly dispersing rainforest-restricted insects, as many of these may be particularly fragmented and at highest risk of local extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Butterworth
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - James F Wallman
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Nikolas P Johnston
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Blake M Dawson
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Joshua Sharp-Heward
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Angela McGaughran
- Te Aka Mātuatua - School of Science, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
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Frère CH, O'Reilly GD, Strickland K, Schultz A, Hohwieler K, Hanger J, de Villiers D, Cristescu R, Powell D, Sherwin W. Evaluating the genetic consequences of population subdivision as it unfolds and how to best mitigate them: A rare story about koalas. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:2174-2185. [PMID: 36756702 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16877] [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: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The genetic consequences of the subdivision of populations are regarded as significant to long-term evolution, and research has shown that the scale and speed at which this is now occurring is critically reducing the adaptive potential of most species which inhabit human-impacted landscapes. Here, we provide a rare and, to our knowledge, the first analysis of this process while it is happening and demonstrate a method of evaluating the effect of mitigation measures such as fauna crossings. We did this by using an extensive genetic data set collected from a koala population which was intensely monitored during the construction of linear transport infrastructure which resulted in the subdivision of their population. First, we found that both allelic richness and effective population size decreased through the process of population subdivision. Second, we predicted the extent to which genetic drift could impact genetic diversity over time and showed that after only 10 generations the resulting two subdivided populations could experience between 12% and 69% loss in genetic diversity. Lastly, using forward simulations we estimated that a minimum of eight koalas would need to disperse from each side of the subdivision per generation to maintain genetic connectivity close to zero but that 16 koalas would ensure that both genetic connectivity and diversity remained unchanged. These results have important consequences for the genetic management of species in human-impacted landscapes by showing which genetic metrics are best to identify immediate loss in genetic diversity and how to evaluate the effectiveness of any mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Frère
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - G D O'Reilly
- The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - K Strickland
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - A Schultz
- Icelandic Museum of Natural History (Náttúruminjasafn Íslands), Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - K Hohwieler
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - J Hanger
- Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, Toorbul, Queensland, Australia
| | - D de Villiers
- Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, Toorbul, Queensland, Australia
| | - R Cristescu
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - D Powell
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - W Sherwin
- The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Recent Changes in Genetic Diversity, Structure, and Gene Flow in a Passerine Experiencing a Rapid Population Decline, the Dupont’s Lark (Chersophilus duponti). DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14121120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring temporal dynamics in genetic diversity is of great importance for conservation, especially for threatened species that are suffering a rapid population decline and increased fragmentation. Here, we investigate temporal variation in genetic diversity, structure, and gene flow in the Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) across most of its range. This species shows increasing levels of population fragmentation, substantial population declines, and severe range contraction, so temporal losses of genetic diversity, increasing differentiation, and decreasing gene flow are expected when comparing present day data with previous situations. To address this, we resampled sites (nine regions in two countries) after 12–15 years (five-to-seven generations) and assessed changes in genetic parameters using 11 microsatellite markers. We found no substantial loss in genetic diversity over time at the species level, but we detected considerable variation among regions in the amount of allelic diversity and heterozygosity lost over time. Temporal variation in allele frequencies (common, rare, and private alleles), and changes in genetic differentiation and gene flow over time suggest a major role of connectivity for the stability of the overall metapopulation. Our results agree with the hypothesis that connectivity rescues genetic diversity via immigration and gene flow. However, evidence of recent genetic bottleneck and the substantial changes detected in some regions are clear signs of genetic erosion and may be signalling a rapid decline of the populations. Urgent actions must be carried out to stop and reverse human impacts on this threatened lark and its habitat.
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Davidović S, Marinković S, Hribšek I, Patenković A, Stamenković-Radak M, Tanasković M. Sex ratio and relatedness in the Griffon vulture ( Gyps fulvus) population of Serbia. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14477. [PMID: 36523455 PMCID: PMC9745909 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14477] [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: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Once a widespread species across the region of Southeast Europe, the Griffon vulture is now confined to small and isolated populations across the Balkan Peninsula. The population from Serbia represents its biggest and most viable population that can serve as an important reservoir of genetic diversity from which the birds can be used for the region's reintroduction programmes. The available genetic data for this valuable population are scarce and as a protected species that belongs to the highly endangered vulture group, it needs to be well described so that it can be properly managed and used as a restocking population. Considering the serious recent bottleneck event that the Griffon vulture population from Serbia experienced we estimated the overall relatedness among the birds from this population. Sex ratio, another important parameter that shows the vitality and strength of the population was evaluated as well. Methods During the annual monitoring that was performed in the period from 2013-2021, we collected blood samples from individual birds that were marked in the nests. In total, 169 samples were collected and each was used for molecular sexing while 58 presumably unrelated birds from different nests were used for inbreeding and relatedness analyses. The relatedness was estimated using both biparentally (10 microsatellite loci) and uniparentally (Cytb and D-loop I of mitochondrial DNA) inherited markers. Results The level of inbreeding was relatively high and on average it was 8.3% while the mean number of relatives for each bird was close to three. The sex ratio was close to 1:1 and for the analysed period of 9 years, it didn't demonstrate a statistically significant deviation from the expected ratio of 1:1, suggesting that this is a stable and healthy population. Our data suggest that, even though a relatively high level of inbreeding can be detected among the individual birds, the Griffon vulture population from Serbia can be used as a source population for restocking and reintroduction programmes in the region. These data combined with previously observed genetic differentiation between the populations from the Iberian and Balkan Peninsulas suggest that the introduction of foreign birds should be avoided and that local birds should be used instead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slobodan Davidović
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia,Birds of Prey Protection Foundation, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Saša Marinković
- Birds of Prey Protection Foundation, Belgrade, Serbia,Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Irena Hribšek
- Birds of Prey Protection Foundation, Belgrade, Serbia,Natural History Museum Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Patenković
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina Stamenković-Radak
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia,Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Tanasković
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Krüger SC, Botha A, Bowerman W, Coverdale B, Gore ML, van den Heever L, Shaffer LJ, Smit-Robinson H, Thompson LJ, Ottinger MA. Old World Vultures Reflect Effects of Environmental Pollutants Through Human Encroachment. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1586-1603. [PMID: 35673892 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
African wildlife face challenges from many stressors including current and emerging contaminants, habitat and resource loss, poaching, intentional and unintentional poisoning, and climate-related environmental change. The plight of African vultures exemplifies these challenges due to environmental contaminants and other stressors acting on individuals and populations that are already threatened or endangered. Many of these threats emanate from increasing human population size and settlement density, habitat loss from changing land use for agriculture, residential areas, and industry, and climate-related changes in resource availability. Environmental chemicals that are hazardous include legacy chemicals, emerging chemicals of concern, and high-volume-use chemicals that are employed as weed killers and in other agricultural applications. Furthermore, there are differences in risk for species living in close proximity to humans or in areas affected by habitat loss, climate, and industry. Monitoring programs are essential to track the status of nesting pairs, offspring survival, longevity, and lifetime productivity. This is important for long-lived birds, such as vultures, that may be especially vulnerable to chronic exposure to chemicals as obligate scavengers. Furthermore, their position in the food web may increase risk due to biomagnification of chemicals. We review the primary chemical hazards to Old World vultures and the interacting stressors affecting these and other birds. Habitat is a major consideration for vultures, with tree-nesters and cliff-nesters potentially experiencing different risks of exposure to environmental chemicals. The present review provides information from long-term monitoring programs and discusses a range of these threats and their effects on vulture populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1586-1603. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja C Krüger
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Scientific Services, Cascades, South Africa
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
| | - Andre Botha
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, South Africa
| | - William Bowerman
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Brent Coverdale
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Scientific Services, Cascades, South Africa
| | - Meredith L Gore
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - L Jen Shaffer
- Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanneline Smit-Robinson
- BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Applied Behavioural Ecological & Ecosystem Research Unit, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | - Lindy J Thompson
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, South Africa
| | - Mary Ann Ottinger
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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12
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Mursyidin DH, Makruf MI, Badruzsaufari, Noor A. Molecular diversity of exotic durian (Durio spp.) germplasm: a case study of Kalimantan, Indonesia. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2022; 20:39. [PMID: 35230532 PMCID: PMC8888783 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-022-00321-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Durian of Indonesia, specifically Durio zibethinus, is a potential agricultural commodity for domestic and international markets. However, its quality is still less competitive or significantly lower to fulfill the export market, compared to a similar one from other countries. This study aimed to determine and analyze the genetic diversity and relationship of the exotic durian (Durio spp.) germplasm originally from Kalimantan, Indonesia, using the rbcL marker. Results Based on this marker, the durian germplasm has a low genetic diversity (π%=0.24). It may strongly correspond with the variability sites or mutation present in the region. In this case, the rbcL region of the durian germplasm has generated 23 variable sites with a transition/transversion (Ti/Tv) bias value of 1.00. However, following the phylogenetic and principal component analyses, this germplasm is separated into four main clades and six groups, respectively. In this case, D. zibethinus was very closely related to D. exleyanus. Meanwhile, D. lowianus and D. excelsus were the farthest. In further analysis, 29 durians were very closely related, and the farthest was shown by Durian Burung (D. acutifolius) and Kalih Haliyang (D. kutejensis) as well as Pampaken Burung Kecil (D. kutejensis) and Durian Burung (D. acutifolius) with a divergence coefficient of 0.011. The Pearson correlation analysis confirms that 20 pairs of individual durians have a strong relation, shown by, e.g., Maharawin Hamak and Durian Burung as well as Mantuala Batu Hayam and Durian Burung Besar. Conclusion While the durian has a low genetic diversity, the phylogenetic analyses revealed that this germplasm originally from Kalimantan, Indonesia, shows unique relationships. These findings may provide a beneficial task in supporting the durian genetic conservation and breeding practices in the future, locally and globally.
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Dessalegn A, Balakrishnan M, Töpfer T, Podsiadlowski L, Wube T. Genetic diversity of the Ankober Serin (Crithagra ankoberensis) at Simien Mountains National Park and Guassa Community Conservation Area, Ethiopia. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2021.2006078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Till Töpfer
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lars Podsiadlowski
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tilaye Wube
- Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Abdel-Kafy ESM, Ramadan SI, Ali WH, Youssef SF, Shabaan HA, El-Deighadi A, Inoue-Murayama M. Genetic and Phenotypic Characterization of Domestic Geese ( Anser anser) in Egypt. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:3106. [PMID: 34827838 PMCID: PMC8614349 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113106] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to achieve phenotypic characterization of three domestic Egyptian goose populations collected from three different geographical zones (Kafr El-Sheikh, Fayoum and Luxor) and to perform genetic characterization of these three populations based on mtDNA D-loop and 12 microsatellite markers. The body measurements of 402 domestic mature geese belonging to these three governorates showed that the lengths of the head, culmen and tarsus and the live body weight varied significantly among the three studied Egyptian goose populations. After alignment of a 710-base-pair segment of the goose mtDNA control region, there was a single haplotype in the three Egyptian goose populations, indicating the same maternal origins. The genotyping of the 12 microsatellite markers showed low diversity indices, including average observed (NA) and effective (NE) number of alleles and observed (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) (3.333, 1.760, 0.277 and 0.352, respectively), and a high inbreeding coefficient (FIS = 0.203) across the three Egyptian goose populations. The high inbreeding and low genetic and morphological differentiation of Egyptian geese could be corrected by establishing a large base population through capturing small populations with the highest genetic variation. The findings of the current study can therefore serve as an initial guide to design further investigations for developing conservation programs of Egyptian geese genetic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- El-Sayed M. Abdel-Kafy
- Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Dokki, Giza 12651, Egypt; (E.-S.M.A.-K.); (W.H.A.); (S.F.Y.); (H.A.S.); (A.E.-D.)
| | - Sherif I. Ramadan
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt
| | - Weal H. Ali
- Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Dokki, Giza 12651, Egypt; (E.-S.M.A.-K.); (W.H.A.); (S.F.Y.); (H.A.S.); (A.E.-D.)
| | - Sabbah F. Youssef
- Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Dokki, Giza 12651, Egypt; (E.-S.M.A.-K.); (W.H.A.); (S.F.Y.); (H.A.S.); (A.E.-D.)
| | - Hoda A. Shabaan
- Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Dokki, Giza 12651, Egypt; (E.-S.M.A.-K.); (W.H.A.); (S.F.Y.); (H.A.S.); (A.E.-D.)
| | - Amira El-Deighadi
- Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Dokki, Giza 12651, Egypt; (E.-S.M.A.-K.); (W.H.A.); (S.F.Y.); (H.A.S.); (A.E.-D.)
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Gousy-Leblanc M, Yannic G, Therrien JF, Lecomte N. Mapping our knowledge on birds of prey population genetics. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01368-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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16
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Blanco G, Morinha F. Genetic signatures of population bottlenecks, relatedness, and inbreeding highlight recent and novel conservation concerns in the Egyptian vulture. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11139. [PMID: 33828925 PMCID: PMC8005290 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The assessment of temporal variation in genetic features can be particularly informative on the factors behind demography and viability of wildlife populations and species. We used molecular methods to evaluate neutral genetic variation, relatedness, bottlenecks, and inbreeding in a declining population of Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in central Spain. The results show that the genetic diversity remained relatively stable over a period of twelve years despite the decline in census and effective population sizes in the last decades. A relatively high proportion of nestlings from different and distant territories showed high relatedness in each study year. We also found support for an increasing impact of severe recent (contemporary) rather than distant (historical) past demographic bottlenecks, and the first evidence of inbred mating between full siblings coinciding with lethal malformations in offspring. The inbred nestling with feather malformations was positive to beak and feather disease virus recorded for the first time in this species. These results alert on recent and novel threats potentially affecting health and reducing the adaptive potential of individuals in this threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Blanco
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Morinha
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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17
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Streicher M, Krüger S, Loercher F, Willows-Munro S. Evidence of genetic structure in the wide-ranging bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus (Linnaeus, 1758)). BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:42. [PMID: 33722192 PMCID: PMC7962245 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01760-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The bearded vulture is sparsely distributed across a wide geographic range that extends over three continents (Africa, Europe and Asia). Restriction to high-altitude mountainous habitats, low breeding rates, lack of food and a heightened level of persecution have left many local populations severely diminished or extinct. Understanding the genetic connectivity and population structure of this threatened vulture species is critical for accurately assessing their conservation status, and for appropriately managing local populations through captive breeding programmes or translocations. Previous genetic assessments of the species were mainly focused on the European and Asian populations and included limited representation of the geographically isolated southern African population. A single mitochondrial study, which focused on the African populations of the bearded vulture, detected limited genetic differentiation between populations in Ethiopia and southern Africa, with reduced haplotype diversity in the southern Africa population. In this study, we extend the previous genetic assessments of the species by examining the phylogeography and genetic connectivity of global G. barbatus populations using a panel of 14 microsatellite loci. RESULTS Analyses revealed spatially correlated genetic differentiation between regional populations and low levels of gene flow between these population fragments. In contrast to the mitochondrial data, the microsatellite data support the management of genetically different populations as separate entities. CONCLUSIONS Low genetic diversity and geographic isolation are known to adversely affect the evolutionary potential of a species in the long-term. The high inbreeding found in the southern African G. barbatus and, to a lesser extent, the northern African populations highlights the need for conservation programmes to effectively manage populations of this species and maintain extant genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Streicher
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Sonja Krüger
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Cascades, South Africa
| | | | - Sandi Willows-Munro
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
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18
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Lester JD, Vigilant L, Gratton P, McCarthy MS, Barratt CD, Dieguez P, Agbor A, Álvarez-Varona P, Angedakin S, Ayimisin EA, Bailey E, Bessone M, Brazzola G, Chancellor R, Cohen H, Danquah E, Deschner T, Egbe VE, Eno-Nku M, Goedmakers A, Granjon AC, Head J, Hedwig D, Hernandez-Aguilar RA, Jeffery KJ, Jones S, Junker J, Kadam P, Kaiser M, Kalan AK, Kehoe L, Kienast I, Langergraber KE, Lapuente J, Laudisoit A, Lee K, Marrocoli S, Mihindou V, Morgan D, Muhanguzi G, Neil E, Nicholl S, Orbell C, Ormsby LJ, Pacheco L, Piel A, Robbins MM, Rundus A, Sanz C, Sciaky L, Siaka AM, Städele V, Stewart F, Tagg N, Ton E, van Schijndel J, Vyalengerera MK, Wessling EG, Willie J, Wittig RM, Yuh YG, Yurkiw K, Zuberbuehler K, Boesch C, Kühl HS, Arandjelovic M. Recent genetic connectivity and clinal variation in chimpanzees. Commun Biol 2021; 4:283. [PMID: 33674780 PMCID: PMC7935964 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01806-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Much like humans, chimpanzees occupy diverse habitats and exhibit extensive behavioural variability. However, chimpanzees are recognized as a discontinuous species, with four subspecies separated by historical geographic barriers. Nevertheless, their range-wide degree of genetic connectivity remains poorly resolved, mainly due to sampling limitations. By analyzing a geographically comprehensive sample set amplified at microsatellite markers that inform recent population history, we found that isolation by distance explains most of the range-wide genetic structure of chimpanzees. Furthermore, we did not identify spatial discontinuities corresponding with the recognized subspecies, suggesting that some of the subspecies-delineating geographic barriers were recently permeable to gene flow. Substantial range-wide genetic connectivity is consistent with the hypothesis that behavioural flexibility is a salient driver of chimpanzee responses to changing environmental conditions. Finally, our observation of strong local differentiation associated with recent anthropogenic pressures portends future loss of critical genetic diversity if habitat fragmentation and population isolation continue unabated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack D Lester
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Linda Vigilant
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paolo Gratton
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maureen S McCarthy
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christopher D Barratt
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paula Dieguez
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anthony Agbor
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paula Álvarez-Varona
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
| | - Samuel Angedakin
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Emma Bailey
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mattia Bessone
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gregory Brazzola
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rebecca Chancellor
- West Chester University, Depts of Anthropology & Sociology and Psychology, West Chester, PA, USA
| | - Heather Cohen
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Danquah
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Tobias Deschner
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Villard Ebot Egbe
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | - Anne-Céline Granjon
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Josephine Head
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniela Hedwig
- Elephant Listening Project, Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - R Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kathryn J Jeffery
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Sorrel Jones
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jessica Junker
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Michael Kaiser
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ammie K Kalan
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Laura Kehoe
- Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ivonne Kienast
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kevin E Langergraber
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, 900 Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287 Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Juan Lapuente
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
- Comoé Chimpanzee Conservation Project, Comoé National Park, Kakpin, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Anne Laudisoit
- Ecohealth Alliance, New York, NY, USA
- University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, lokaal D.133, Universiteitsplein 1 - 2610, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Kevin Lee
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sergio Marrocoli
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Vianet Mihindou
- Agence National des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN) Batterie 4, Libreville, Gabon
- Ministère des Eaux, des Forêts, de la Mer, de l'Environnement, Chargé du Plan Climat, des Objectifs de Développement Durable et du Plan d'Affectation des Terres, Libreville, Gabon
| | - David Morgan
- Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Emily Neil
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sonia Nicholl
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Lucy Jayne Ormsby
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Liliana Pacheco
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
| | - Alex Piel
- Department of Anthropology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martha M Robbins
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Aaron Rundus
- West Chester University, Department of Psychology, West Chester, PA, USA
| | - Crickette Sanz
- Washington University in Saint Louis, Department of Anthropology, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Lilah Sciaky
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alhaji M Siaka
- National Protected Area Authority, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Veronika Städele
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Fiona Stewart
- School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nikki Tagg
- KMDA, Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Els Ton
- Chimbo Foundation, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Erin G Wessling
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jacob Willie
- KMDA, Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Roman M Wittig
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
- Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Yisa Ginath Yuh
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kyle Yurkiw
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
- Pan Verus Project Outamba-Kilimi National Park, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Klaus Zuberbuehler
- Budongo Conservation Field Station, Masindi, Uganda
- Université de Neuchâtel, Institut de Biologie, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Christophe Boesch
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hjalmar S Kühl
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mimi Arandjelovic
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Leipzig, Germany.
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Genetic diversity of the Griffon vulture population in Serbia and its importance for conservation efforts in the Balkans. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20394. [PMID: 33230239 PMCID: PMC7684298 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77342-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The Griffon vulture was once a widespread species across the region of Southeast Europe, but it is now endangered and in some parts is completely extinct. In the Balkan Peninsula the largest Griffon vulture inland population inhabits the territory of Serbia. We present, for the first time, the genetic data of this valuable population that could be a source for future reintroduction programs planned in South-eastern Europe. To characterize the genetic structure of this population we used microsatellite markers from ten loci. Blood samples were collected from 57 chicks directly in the nests during the ongoing monitoring program. We performed a comparative analysis of the obtained data with the existing data from three native populations from French Pyrenees, Croatia, and Israel. We have assessed the genetic differentiation between different native populations and determined the existence of two genetic clusters that differentiate the populations from the Balkan and Iberian Peninsulas. Furthermore, we analysed whether the recent bottleneck events influenced the genetic structure of the populations studied, and we found that all native populations experienced a recent bottleneck event, and that the population of Israel was the least affected. Nevertheless, the parameters of genetic diversity suggest that all analysed populations have retained a similar level of genetic diversity and that the Griffon vulture population from Serbia exhibits the highest value for private alleles. The results of this study suggest that the Griffon vulture populations of the Balkan Peninsula are genetically differentiated from the populations of the Iberian Peninsula, which is an important information for future reintroduction strategies.
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Kamalakkannan R, Bhavana K, Prabhu VR, Sureshgopi D, Singha HS, Nagarajan M. The complete mitochondrial genome of Indian gaur, Bos gaurus and its phylogenetic implications. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11936. [PMID: 32686769 PMCID: PMC7371690 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68724-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The gaur is the largest extant cattle species and distributed across South and Southeast Asia. Around 85% of its current global population resides in India, however there has been a gradual decrease in the gaur population over the last two decades due to various anthropogenic activities. Mitochondrial genome is considered as an important tool for species identification and monitoring the populations of conservation concern and therefore it becomes an obligation to sequence the mitochondrial genome of Indian gaur. We report here for the first time 16,345 bp mitochondrial genome of four Indian gaur sequenced using two different approaches. Mitochondrial genome consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. Among the 37 genes, 28 were positioned on the H-strand and 9 were positioned on the L-strand. The overall base composition appeared to be 33.5% A, 27.2% T, 25.9% C and 13.4% G, which yielded a higher AT content. The phylogenetic analysis using complete mitochondrial genome sequences unambiguously suggested that gaur is the maternal ancestor of domestic mithun. Moreover, it also clearly distinguished the three sub species of B. gaurus i.e. B. gaurus gaurus, B. gaurus readei and B. gaurus hubbacki. Among the three sub species, B. gaurus gaurus was genetically closer to B. gaurus readei as compared to B. gaurus hubbacki. The findings of our study provide an insight into the genetic structure and evolutionary history of Indian gaur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranganathan Kamalakkannan
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Karippadakam Bhavana
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Vandana R Prabhu
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Dhandapani Sureshgopi
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Hijam Surachandra Singha
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Muniyandi Nagarajan
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India.
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Kleinhans C, Willows-Munro S. Microsatellite genotypes of the South African Cape vulture, Gyps coprotheres. Sci Data 2019; 6:200. [PMID: 31604955 PMCID: PMC6789037 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0221-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Across the globe, vulture species are experiencing major population declines. A key factor for the long-term persistence of these endangered species is the maintenance of genetic diversity patterns within wild populations. The datasets presented in this descriptor includes microsatellite genotypes of 605 Cape vultures (Gyps coprotheres) drawn from across the southern African distribution of the species. Microsatellites are useful in quantifying genetic diversity at the population level. Populations of the endangered Cape vulture are currently monitored by conservation agencies and the data presented here can be used as an important baseline for future population genetic monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtneë Kleinhans
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Sandi Willows-Munro
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
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