1
|
Napolitano C, Clavijo C, Rojas-Bonzi V, Miño CI, González-Maya JF, Bou N, Giraldo A, Martino A, Miyaki CY, Aguirre LF, Cosacov A, Milián-García Y, Prosdocimi L, Ramírez-Bravo OE, Tovar LA, Velez-Zuazo X, Barrios M, Herrera-Fernández B, Montiel-Villalobos MG, Oliveira-Miranda MA, Pool M, Santos-Murgas A, Segovia-Salcedo MC, Cecchi F, Dans AJ, Dilchand N, Lima SMQ, Novas MC, Pelz-Serrano K, Pougy N, Rodríguez I, van der Meer L, Zapata-Ríos G. Understanding the conservation-genetics gap in Latin America: challenges and opportunities to integrate genetics into conservation practices. Front Genet 2024; 15:1425531. [PMID: 39040996 PMCID: PMC11261212 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1425531] [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: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Integrating genetic data into conservation management decisions is a challenging task that requires strong partnerships between researchers and managers. Conservation in Latin America is of crucial relevance worldwide given the high biodiversity levels and the presence of hotspots in this region. Methods: We conducted a survey across Latin America to identify gaps and opportunities between genetic researchers and conservation managers. We aimed to better understand conservation managers' points of view and how genetic research could help conservation practitioners to achieve their goals, by implementing genetic assessments that could effectively inform conservation practices. We distributed an online survey via four regional collaborating organizations and 32 focal points based in 20 Latin American countries. The target respondents were conservation managers of species or areas in Latin America. Results: We collected a total of 468 answered questionnaires from 21 Latin American countries. Most respondents (44%) were from an academic or research institution while non-academics were mainly from non-governmental institutions (30%) and government agencies (25%). Most respondents (65%) have performed or used genetic assessments in their managed area or species, either alone, in partnership, contracting someone else or using published results. For the majority of this group, the genetic results were relevant to their conservation management goals, helping to inform management decisions. Respondents that had not performed genetic assessments (35%) were mainly from the non-academic group, and their main barriers were limited access to funds, genetic lab facilities, and trained personnel to design studies and conduct lab work. Discussion: From the findings, we describe the current situation and provide a general diagnosis of the conservation-genetics gap in Latin America. We describe the gender gap, academic-practitioner co-development of conservation questions and projects, and the nationality and residency of Latin American conservation managers in relation to the countries where they work. We discuss opportunities to co-create research questions and co-develop studies based on conservation practitioners' needs. We offer recommendations for overcoming barriers to integrate genetic information into conservation actions, and advance agendas that fit the needs and realities of the highly heterogeneous, biodiverse and challenging Latin American region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Napolitano
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Concepción, Chile
- Cape Horn International Center, Puerto Williams, Chile
| | | | - Viviana Rojas-Bonzi
- Instituto de Investigación Biológica del Paraguay, Asuncion, Paraguay
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Carolina I. Miño
- Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva - LGE, Instituto de Biología Subtropical - IBS, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Posadas, Argentina
| | - José F. González-Maya
- Área de Biología de la Conservación, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Lerma, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nadia Bou
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Genética, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alan Giraldo
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Animal, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Angela Martino
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ecología y Zonas Aridas, Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco de Miranda, Coro, Venezuela
| | - Cristina Yumi Miyaki
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis F. Aguirre
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Andrea Cosacov
- Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva y Biología Floral, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Laura Prosdocimi
- Laboratorio de Ecología, Comportamiento y Mamíferos Marinos (LECyMM), Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales (MACN-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - O. Eric Ramírez-Bravo
- Centro de Agroecología, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Eco campus Valsequillo, San Pedro Zacachimalpa, Mexico
| | - Luis Antonio Tovar
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | - Ximena Velez-Zuazo
- Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Mercedes Barrios
- Centro de Datos para la Conservación, Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Bernal Herrera-Fernández
- Instituto Internacional de Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre (ICOMVIS), Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | | | | | - Monique Pool
- Green Heritage Fund Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname
| | - Alonso Santos-Murgas
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Ciudad de Panamá. Estación Científica Coiba AIP, Ciudad del Saber, Panama
| | | | - Felipe Cecchi
- Grupo Antropología de la Conservación, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile
| | - Armando J. Dans
- Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales y Producción Sostenible, Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense, Bluefields, Nicaragua
| | - Nelanie Dilchand
- Aquatic and Terrestrial Pioneers Consulting Services, Georgetown, Guyana
| | - Sergio M. Q. Lima
- Departamento de Botânica e Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - María Caridad Novas
- División de Conservación, Departamento de Botánica, Jardín Botánico Nacional Dr. Rafael María Moscoso, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Karla Pelz-Serrano
- Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Lerma, Lerma, Mexico
| | - Nina Pougy
- Departamento de Desenvolvimento Científico, Museu do Amanhã, Instituto de Desenvolvimento e Gestão - IDG, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Iris Rodríguez
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mastretta-Yanes A, da Silva JM, Grueber CE, Castillo-Reina L, Köppä V, Forester BR, Funk WC, Heuertz M, Ishihama F, Jordan R, Mergeay J, Paz-Vinas I, Rincon-Parra VJ, Rodriguez-Morales MA, Arredondo-Amezcua L, Brahy G, DeSaix M, Durkee L, Hamilton A, Hunter ME, Koontz A, Lang I, Latorre-Cárdenas MC, Latty T, Llanes-Quevedo A, MacDonald AJ, Mahoney M, Miller C, Ornelas JF, Ramírez-Barahona S, Robertson E, Russo IRM, Santiago MA, Shaw RE, Shea GM, Sjögren-Gulve P, Spence ES, Stack T, Suárez S, Takenaka A, Thurfjell H, Turbek S, van der Merwe M, Visser F, Wegier A, Wood G, Zarza E, Laikre L, Hoban S. Multinational evaluation of genetic diversity indicators for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14461. [PMID: 38953253 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Under the recently adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, 196 Parties committed to reporting the status of genetic diversity for all species. To facilitate reporting, three genetic diversity indicators were developed, two of which focus on processes contributing to genetic diversity conservation: maintaining genetically distinct populations and ensuring populations are large enough to maintain genetic diversity. The major advantage of these indicators is that they can be estimated with or without DNA-based data. However, demonstrating their feasibility requires addressing the methodological challenges of using data gathered from diverse sources, across diverse taxonomic groups, and for countries of varying socio-economic status and biodiversity levels. Here, we assess the genetic indicators for 919 taxa, representing 5271 populations across nine countries, including megadiverse countries and developing economies. Eighty-three percent of the taxa assessed had data available to calculate at least one indicator. Our results show that although the majority of species maintain most populations, 58% of species have populations too small to maintain genetic diversity. Moreover, genetic indicator values suggest that IUCN Red List status and other initiatives fail to assess genetic status, highlighting the critical importance of genetic indicators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Mastretta-Yanes
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades Ciencias y Tecnología (CONAHCYT), Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO), Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Jessica M da Silva
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Catherine E Grueber
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Luis Castillo-Reina
- Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - W Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Fumiko Ishihama
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Joachim Mergeay
- Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Ivan Paz-Vinas
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, LEHNA UMR 5023, CNRS, ENTPE, Villeurbanne, France
| | | | | | | | - Gaëlle Brahy
- BIOGECO, INRAE, University of Bordeaux, Cestas, France
| | - Matt DeSaix
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Lily Durkee
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Ashley Hamilton
- Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Tree Science, The Morton Arboretum, Illinois, USA
| | - Margaret E Hunter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Austin Koontz
- Center for Tree Science, The Morton Arboretum, Illinois, USA
| | - Iris Lang
- Conservatoire d'espaces Naturels d'Occitanie, Montpellier, France
| | - María Camila Latorre-Cárdenas
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Tanya Latty
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander Llanes-Quevedo
- Museo de Zoología "Alfonso L. Herrera", Departamento Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Anna J MacDonald
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Meg Mahoney
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Caitlin Miller
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Juan Francisco Ornelas
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Santiago Ramírez-Barahona
- Departamento de Botánica, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Erica Robertson
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | | | | | - Robyn E Shaw
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Glenn M Shea
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, B01, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Museum Research Institute, The Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Per Sjögren-Gulve
- Nordic Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma Suzuki Spence
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Taylor Stack
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Sofía Suárez
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Genética de la Conservación, Jardín Botánico, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Akio Takenaka
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Henrik Thurfjell
- Swedish Species Information Center, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sheela Turbek
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Marlien van der Merwe
- Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fleur Visser
- Conservation Genetics Laboratory, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Zoology & Entomology Department, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ana Wegier
- Laboratorio de Genética de la Conservación, Jardín Botánico, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Georgina Wood
- UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Eugenia Zarza
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades Ciencias y Tecnología (CONAHCYT), Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Sustentabilidad, El Colegio De La Frontera Sur, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
| | | | - Sean Hoban
- Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Tree Science, The Morton Arboretum, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Aitken SN, Jordan R, Tumas HR. Conserving Evolutionary Potential: Combining Landscape Genomics with Established Methods to Inform Plant Conservation. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 75:707-736. [PMID: 38594931 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-070523-044239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Biodiversity conservation requires conserving evolutionary potential-the capacity for wild populations to adapt. Understanding genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics is critical for informing conservation decisions that enhance adaptability and persistence under environmental change. We review how emerging landscape genomic methods provide plant conservation programs with insights into evolutionary dynamics, including local adaptation and its environmental drivers. Landscape genomic approaches that explore relationships between genomic variation and environments complement rather than replace established population genomic and common garden approaches for assessing adaptive phenotypic variation, population structure, gene flow, and demography. Collectively, these approaches inform conservation actions, including genetic rescue, maladaptation prediction, and assisted gene flow. The greatest on-the-ground impacts from such studies will be realized when conservation practitioners are actively engaged in research and monitoring. Understanding the evolutionary dynamics shaping the genetic diversity of wild plant populations will inform plant conservation decisions that enhance the adaptability and persistence of species in an uncertain future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sally N Aitken
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; ,
| | | | - Hayley R Tumas
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; ,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Talavera A, Valbuena-Ureña E, Burriel-Carranza B, Mochales-Riaño G, Adams DC, Amat F, Carbonell F, Carranza S. Integrative systematic revision of the Montseny brook newt ( Calotriton arnoldi), with the description of a new subspecies. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17550. [PMID: 38881865 PMCID: PMC11180430 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The Montseny brook newt (Calotriton arnoldi), a glacial relict endemic to a small, isolated massif in northeast Spain, is considered the only Critically Endangered urodele in Europe. Its restricted range is divided by a deep valley that acts as an impassable barrier to dispersal, separating two isolated metapopulations (Western and Eastern) that correspond to independent lineages with different evolutionary trajectories, based on genetic and genomic data. Here, we address the ecological differentiation between lineages and discuss its potential effect on the phenotypic distinctness of each lineage. Based on multiple lines of evidence, we formally describe the Western Montseny brook newt as a new subspecies: Calotriton arnoldi laietanus ssp. nov. Finally, our study underscores the importance of considering taxonomic progress in the conservation policies of endangered species, ensuring appropriate management and protection of the newly described taxa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Talavera
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Bernat Burriel-Carranza
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gabriel Mochales-Riaño
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Dean C Adams
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
| | - Fèlix Amat
- Àrea d'Herpetologia, Museu de Granollers-Ciències Naturals, Granollers, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Francesc Carbonell
- Centre de Fauna Salvatge de Torreferrussa, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Salvador Carranza
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Paijmans AJ, Berthelsen AL, Nagel R, Christaller F, Kröcker N, Forcada J, Hoffman JI. Little evidence of inbreeding depression for birth mass, survival and growth in Antarctic fur seal pups. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12610. [PMID: 38824161 PMCID: PMC11144264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62290-x] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Inbreeding depression, the loss of offspring fitness due to consanguineous mating, is generally detrimental for individual performance and population viability. We investigated inbreeding effects in a declining population of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) at Bird Island, South Georgia. Here, localised warming has reduced the availability of the seal's staple diet, Antarctic krill, leading to a temporal increase in the strength of selection against inbred offspring, which are increasingly failing to recruit into the adult breeding population. However, it remains unclear whether selection operates before or after nutritional independence at weaning. We therefore used microsatellite data from 885 pups and their mothers, and SNP array data from 98 mother-offspring pairs, to quantify the effects of individual and maternal inbreeding on three important neonatal fitness traits: birth mass, survival and growth. We did not find any clear or consistent effects of offspring or maternal inbreeding on any of these traits. This suggests that selection filters inbred individuals out of the population as juveniles during the time window between weaning and recruitment. Our study brings into focus a poorly understood life-history stage and emphasises the importance of understanding the ecology and threats facing juvenile pinnipeds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A J Paijmans
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - A L Berthelsen
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - R Nagel
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St. Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9TH, UK
| | - F Christaller
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - N Kröcker
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - J Forcada
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OET, UK
| | - J I Hoffman
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OET, UK
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Bielefeld, Germany
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Clarke SH, Lawrence ER, Matte JM, Gallagher BK, Salisbury SJ, Michaelides SN, Koumrouyan R, Ruzzante DE, Grant JWA, Fraser DJ. Global assessment of effective population sizes: Consistent taxonomic differences in meeting the 50/500 rule. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17353. [PMID: 38613250 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17353] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Effective population size (Ne) is a particularly useful metric for conservation as it affects genetic drift, inbreeding and adaptive potential within populations. Current guidelines recommend a minimum Ne of 50 and 500 to avoid short-term inbreeding and to preserve long-term adaptive potential respectively. However, the extent to which wild populations reach these thresholds globally has not been investigated, nor has the relationship between Ne and human activities. Through a quantitative review, we generated a dataset with 4610 georeferenced Ne estimates from 3829 populations, extracted from 723 articles. These data show that certain taxonomic groups are less likely to meet 50/500 thresholds and are disproportionately impacted by human activities; plant, mammal and amphibian populations had a <54% probability of reachingN ̂ e = 50 and a <9% probability of reachingN ̂ e = 500. Populations listed as being of conservation concern according to the IUCN Red List had a smaller medianN ̂ e than unlisted populations, and this was consistent across all taxonomic groups.N ̂ e was reduced in areas with a greater Global Human Footprint, especially for amphibians, birds and mammals, however relationships varied between taxa. We also highlight several considerations for future works, including the role that gene flow and subpopulation structure plays in the estimation ofN ̂ e in wild populations, and the need for finer-scale taxonomic analyses. Our findings provide guidance for more specific thresholds based on Ne and help prioritise assessment of populations from taxa most at risk of failing to meet conservation thresholds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon H Clarke
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Jean-Michel Matte
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brian K Gallagher
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sarah J Salisbury
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Ramela Koumrouyan
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daniel E Ruzzante
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - James W A Grant
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dylan J Fraser
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Waterhouse RM, Adam-Blondon AF, Balech B, Barta E, Ying Shi Chua P, Di Cola V, Heil KF, Hughes GM, Jermiin LS, Kalaš M, Lanfear J, Pafilis E, Palagi PM, Papageorgiou AC, Paupério J, Psomopoulos F, Raes N, Burgin J, Gabaldón T. The ELIXIR Biodiversity Community: Understanding short- and long-term changes in biodiversity. F1000Res 2024; 12:ELIXIR-499. [PMID: 38882711 PMCID: PMC11179050 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.133724.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity loss is now recognised as one of the major challenges for humankind to address over the next few decades. Unless major actions are taken, the sixth mass extinction will lead to catastrophic effects on the Earth's biosphere and human health and well-being. ELIXIR can help address the technical challenges of biodiversity science, through leveraging its suite of services and expertise to enable data management and analysis activities that enhance our understanding of life on Earth and facilitate biodiversity preservation and restoration. This white paper, prepared by the ELIXIR Biodiversity Community, summarises the current status and responses, and presents a set of plans, both technical and community-oriented, that should both enhance how ELIXIR Services are applied in the biodiversity field and how ELIXIR builds connections across the many other infrastructures active in this area. We discuss the areas of highest priority, how they can be implemented in cooperation with the ELIXIR Platforms, and their connections to existing ELIXIR Communities and international consortia. The article provides a preliminary blueprint for a Biodiversity Community in ELIXIR and is an appeal to identify and involve new stakeholders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert M. Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Universite de Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Françoise Adam-Blondon
- INRAE, BioinfOmics, Plant Bioinformatics Facility, Universite Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, Île-de-France, 78026, France
| | - Bachir Balech
- Istituto di Biomembrane, Bioenergetica e Biotecnologie Molecolari, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Endre Barta
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Magyar Agrar- es Elettudomanyi Egyetem, Gödöllő, Pest County, Hungary
| | | | - Valeria Di Cola
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Vaud, 1015, Switzerland
| | | | - Graham M. Hughes
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
| | - Lars S. Jermiin
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Matúš Kalaš
- Department of Informatics, Universitetet i Bergen, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway
| | - Jerry Lanfear
- ELIXIR, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, England, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Evangelos Pafilis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, 71003, Greece
| | - Patricia M. Palagi
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Vaud, 1015, Switzerland
| | | | - Joana Paupério
- EMBL-EBI, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, England, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Fotis Psomopoulos
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Niels Raes
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, South Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Josephine Burgin
- EMBL-EBI, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, England, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Institut de Recerca Biomedica, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro Nacional de Supercomputacion, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Huang JP, Wu SP, Chen WY, Pham GJ, Kuan YH. Genomic data revealed inbreeding despite a geographically connected stable effective population size since the Holocene in the protected Formosan Long-Arm Scarab beetle, Cheirotonus formosanus. J Hered 2024; 115:292-301. [PMID: 38364316 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esae006] [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: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity conservation is a top priority in the face of global environmental change, and the practical restoration of biodiversity has emerged as a key objective. Nevertheless, the question of how to effectively contribute to biodiversity restoration and identify suitable systems for such efforts continues to present major challenges. By using genome-wide SNP data, our study revealed that populations from different mountain ranges of the Formosan Long-Arm Scarab beetle, a flagship species that receives strict protection, exhibited a single genetic cluster with no subdivision. Additionally, our result implied an association between the demographic history and historical fluctuations in climate and environmental conditions. Furthermore, we showed that, despite a stable and moderately sized effective population over recent history, all the individuals we studied exhibited signs of genetic inbreeding. We argued that the current practice of protecting the species as one evolutionarily significant unit remains the best conservation plan and that recent habitat change may have led to the pattern of significant inbreeding. We closed by emphasizing the importance of conservation genetic studies in guiding policy decisions and highlighting the potential of genomic data for identifying ideal empirical systems for genetic rescue, or assisted gene flow studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Pan Huang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ping Wu
- Department of Earth and Life Science, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yun Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guan Jie Pham
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsiu Kuan
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Al Hikmani H, van Oosterhout C, Birley T, Labisko J, Jackson HA, Spalton A, Tollington S, Groombridge JJ. Can genetic rescue help save Arabia's last big cat? Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13701. [PMID: 38784837 PMCID: PMC11113348 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13701] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity underpins evolutionary potential that is essential for the long-term viability of wildlife populations. Captive populations harbor genetic diversity potentially lost in the wild, which could be valuable for release programs and genetic rescue. The Critically Endangered Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) has disappeared from most of its former range across the Arabian Peninsula, with fewer than 120 individuals left in the wild, and an additional 64 leopards in captivity. We (i) examine genetic diversity in the wild and captive populations to identify global patterns of genetic diversity and structure; (ii) estimate the size of the remaining leopard population across the Dhofar mountains of Oman using spatially explicit capture-recapture models on DNA and camera trap data, and (iii) explore the impact of genetic rescue using three complementary computer modeling approaches. We estimated a population size of 51 (95% CI 32-79) in the Dhofar mountains and found that 8 out of 25 microsatellite alleles present in eight loci in captive leopards were undetected in the wild. This includes two alleles present only in captive founders known to have been wild-sourced from Yemen, which suggests that this captive population represents an important source for genetic rescue. We then assessed the benefits of reintroducing novel genetic diversity into the wild population as well as the risks of elevating the genetic load through the release of captive-bred individuals. Simulations indicate that genetic rescue can improve the long-term viability of the wild population by reducing its genetic load and realized load. The model also suggests that the genetic load has been partly purged in the captive population, potentially making it a valuable source population for genetic rescue. However, the greater loss of its genetic diversity could exacerbate genomic erosion of the wild population during a rescue program, and these risks and benefits should be carefully evaluated. An important next step in the recovery of the Arabian leopard is to empirically validate these conclusions, implement and monitor a genomics-informed management plan, and optimize a strategy for genetic rescue as a tool to recover Arabia's last big cat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Al Hikmani
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
- Office for Conservation of the EnvironmentDiwan of Royal CourtMuscatOman
- The Royal Commission for AlUlaAlUlaSaudi Arabia
| | - Cock van Oosterhout
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East Anglia, Norwich Research ParkNorwichUK
| | - Thomas Birley
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East Anglia, Norwich Research ParkNorwichUK
| | - Jim Labisko
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and EnvironmentUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Island Biodiversity and Conservation CentreUniversity of SeychellesVictoriaSeychelles
- Department of Life SciencesThe Natural History MuseumLondonUK
| | - Hazel A. Jackson
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
| | | | - Simon Tollington
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental SciencesNottingham Trent UniversityNottinghamUK
| | - Jim J. Groombridge
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Prakash A, Capblancq T, Shallows K, Saville D, Landau D, Landress C, Jacobs T, Keller S. Bringing genomics to the field: An integrative approach to seed sourcing for forest restoration. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2024; 12:e11600. [PMID: 38912128 PMCID: PMC11192164 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Premise Global anthropogenic change threatens the health and productivity of forest ecosystems. Assisted migration and reforestation are tools to help mitigate these impacts. However, questions remain about how to approach sourcing seeds to ensure high establishment and future adaptability. Methods Using exome-capture sequencing, we demonstrate a computational approach to finding the best n-sets from a candidate list of seed sources that collectively achieve high genetic diversity (GD) and minimal genetic load (GL), while also increasing evolvability in quantitative traits. The benefits of this three-part strategy (diversity-load-evolvability) are to increase near-term establishment success while also boosting evolutionary potential to respond to future stressors. Members of The Nature Conservancy and the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative planted 58,000 seedlings across 255 acres. A subset of seedlings was monitored for establishment success and variation in growth. Results The results show gains in GD relative to GL and increases in quantitative genetic variation in seedling growth for pooled vs. single-source restoration. No single "super source" was observed across planting sites; rather, monitoring results demonstrate that pooling of multiple sources helps achieve higher GD:GL and evolvability. Discussion Our study shows the potential for integrating genomics into local-scale restoration and the importance of building partnerships between academic researchers and applied conservation managers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anoob Prakash
- Department of Plant BiologyUniversity of VermontBurlingtonVermontUSA
| | - Thibaut Capblancq
- Department of Plant BiologyUniversity of VermontBurlingtonVermontUSA
- Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine, Université Grenoble‐Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRSGrenobleFrance
| | - Kathryn Shallows
- Central Appalachians Program, The Nature ConservancyElkinsWest VirginiaUSA
| | - David Saville
- Appalachian Forest Restoration LLCMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Deborah Landau
- Maryland/DC Chapter, The Nature ConservancyBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Chad Landress
- USDA Forest Service, Monongahela National ForestElkinsWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Tal Jacobs
- Clinch Valley Program, The Nature ConservancyAbingdonVirginiaUSA
| | - Stephen Keller
- Department of Plant BiologyUniversity of VermontBurlingtonVermontUSA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gargiulo R, Decroocq V, González‐Martínez SC, Paz‐Vinas I, Aury J, Lesur Kupin I, Plomion C, Schmitt S, Scotti I, Heuertz M. Estimation of contemporary effective population size in plant populations: Limitations of genomic datasets. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13691. [PMID: 38707994 PMCID: PMC11069024 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective population size (N e) is a pivotal evolutionary parameter with crucial implications in conservation practice and policy. Genetic methods to estimate N e have been preferred over demographic methods because they rely on genetic data rather than time-consuming ecological monitoring. Methods based on linkage disequilibrium (LD), in particular, have become popular in conservation as they require a single sampling and provide estimates that refer to recent generations. A software program based on the LD method, GONE, looks particularly promising to estimate contemporary and recent-historical N e (up to 200 generations in the past). Genomic datasets from non-model species, especially plants, may present some constraints to the use of GONE, as linkage maps and reference genomes are seldom available, and SNP genotyping is usually based on reduced-representation methods. In this study, we use empirical datasets from four plant species to explore the limitations of plant genomic datasets when estimating N e using the algorithm implemented in GONE, in addition to exploring some typical biological limitations that may affect N e estimation using the LD method, such as the occurrence of population structure. We show how accuracy and precision of N e estimates potentially change with the following factors: occurrence of missing data, limited number of SNPs/individuals sampled, and lack of information about the location of SNPs on chromosomes, with the latter producing a significant bias, previously unexplored with empirical data. We finally compare the N e estimates obtained with GONE for the last generations with the contemporary N e estimates obtained with the programs currentNe and NeEstimator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ivan Paz‐Vinas
- Department of BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNAUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1VilleurbanneFrance
| | - Jean‐Marc Aury
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ EvryUniversité Paris‐SaclayEvryFrance
| | | | | | - Sylvain Schmitt
- AMAPUniv. Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRDMontpellierFrance
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cetkovská E, Brandlová K, Ogden R, Černá Bolfíková B. Evaluation of the Impact of Population Management on the Genetic Parameters of Selected Spiral-Horned Antelopes. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:104. [PMID: 38392322 PMCID: PMC10886411 DOI: 10.3390/biology13020104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The rapid loss of biodiversity and the associated reduction and fragmentation of habitats means that ex situ populations have become an important part of species conservation. These populations, which are often established from a small number of founders, require careful management to avoid the negative effects of genetic drift and inbreeding. Although the inclusion of molecular data is recommended, their availability for captive breeding management remains limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the levels of genetic diversity in six spiral-horned antelope taxa bred under human care and their respective management strategies, conservation status, demography, and geographic origin, using 10 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci and mitochondrial control region DNA sequences. Our findings include associations between genetic diversity and management intensity but also with the diversity and contribution of wild populations to captive founders, with some populations apparently composed of animals from divergent wild lineages elevating captive genetic diversity. When population sizes are large, the potential advantages of maximizing genetic diversity in widely outcrossed populations may need careful consideration with respect to the potential disruption of adaptive diversity. Genetic data serve as a robust tool for managing captive populations, yet their interpretation necessitates a comprehensive understanding of species biology and history.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ema Cetkovská
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Brandlová
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rob Ogden
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Barbora Černá Bolfíková
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Popovic I, Bergeron LA, Bozec YM, Waldvogel AM, Howitt SM, Damjanovic K, Patel F, Cabrera MG, Wörheide G, Uthicke S, Riginos C. High germline mutation rates, but not extreme population outbreaks, influence genetic diversity in a keystone coral predator. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011129. [PMID: 38346089 PMCID: PMC10861045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Lewontin's paradox, the observation that levels of genetic diversity (π) do not scale linearly with census population size (Nc) variation, is an evolutionary conundrum. The most extreme mismatches between π and Nc are found for highly abundant marine invertebrates. Yet, the influences of new mutations on π relative to extrinsic processes such as Nc fluctuations are unknown. Here, we provide the first germline mutation rate (μ) estimate for a marine invertebrate in corallivorous crown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster cf. solaris). We use high-coverage whole-genome sequencing of 14 parent-offspring trios alongside empirical estimates of Nc in Australia's Great Barrier Reef to jointly examine the determinants of π in populations undergoing extreme Nc fluctuations. The A. cf. solaris mean μ was 9.13 x 10-09 mutations per-site per-generation (95% CI: 6.51 x 10-09 to 1.18 x 10-08), exceeding estimates for other invertebrates and showing greater concordance with vertebrate mutation rates. Lower-than-expected Ne (~70,000-180,000) and low Ne/Nc values (0.0047-0.048) indicated weak influences of population outbreaks on long-term π. Our findings are consistent with elevated μ evolving in response to reduced Ne and generation time length, with important implications for explaining high mutational loads and the determinants of genetic diversity in marine invertebrate taxa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iva Popovic
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lucie A. Bergeron
- Villum Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yves-Marie Bozec
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Samantha M. Howitt
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Frances Patel
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia
| | | | - Gert Wörheide
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Paleontology and Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns (SNSB)–Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Munich, Germany
| | - Sven Uthicke
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia
| | - Cynthia Riginos
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kurland S, Saha A, Keehnen N, de la Paz Celorio-Mancera M, Díez-Del-Molino D, Ryman N, Laikre L. New indicators for monitoring genetic diversity applied to alpine brown trout populations using whole genome sequence data. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17213. [PMID: 38014725 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17213] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
International policy recently adopted commitments to maintain genetic diversity in wild populations to secure their adaptive potential, including metrics to monitor temporal trends in genetic diversity - so-called indicators. A national programme for assessing trends in genetic diversity was recently initiated in Sweden. Relating to this effort, we systematically assess contemporary genome-wide temporal trends (40 years) in wild populations using the newly adopted indicators and whole genome sequencing (WGS). We use pooled and individual WGS data from brown trout (Salmo trutta) in eight alpine lakes in protected areas. Observed temporal trends in diversity metrics (nucleotide diversity, Watterson's ϴ and heterozygosity) lie within proposed acceptable threshold values for six of the lakes, but with consistently low values in lakes above the tree line and declines observed in these northern-most lakes. Local effective population size is low in all lakes, highlighting the importance of continued protection of interconnected systems to allow genetic connectivity for long-term viability of these populations. Inbreeding (FROH ) spans 10%-30% and is mostly represented by ancient (<1 Mb) runs of homozygosity, with observations of little change in mutational load. We also investigate adaptive dynamics over evolutionarily short time frames (a few generations); identifying putative parallel selection across all lakes within a gene pertaining to skin pigmentation as well as candidates of selection unique to specific lakes and lake systems involved in reproduction and immunity. We demonstrate the utility of WGS for systematic monitoring of natural populations, a priority concern if genetic diversity is to be protected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Kurland
- Division of Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Earth Sciences, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Atal Saha
- Division of Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Coastal Research, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Naomi Keehnen
- Division of Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Ecology, SLU, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - David Díez-Del-Molino
- Division of Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nils Ryman
- Division of Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Laikre
- Division of Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Pröhl H, Rodríguez A. Importance of Genetic-Fitness Correlations for the Conservation of Amphibians. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3564. [PMID: 38003181 PMCID: PMC10668650 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223564] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Endangered animals suffer from isolation of their habitats. Isolation leads to a reduction in population size as well as a decrease in genetic diversity and a concomitant increase in the risk of extinction. Amphibians are the most endangered vertebrate class. Besides habitat loss, fragmentation and isolation, amphibians are threatened by emerging diseases e.g., chytrid fungus or Ranavirus. By employing experiments, researchers investigate whether changes in genetic diversity within or among isolated populations affect amphibian fitness. While genetic diversity estimates are based on molecular markers, typically microsatellites, fitness is mostly measured as tadpole performance in rearing experiments often under varying environmental conditions. Tadpole performances (e.g., body mass, growth rate and survival) have been found to be negatively affected by low genetic diversity, as several studies have found a positive association between genetic diversity and these fitness traits. Moreover, infection with pathogens also seems to be more likely in individuals or populations with lower genetic diversity. Overall, these genetic-fitness correlations seem to be more pronounced or detectable in smaller, declining populations but not in larger populations. Genomic studies, which sample a larger fraction of the genome, are still scarce in the conservation genetic literature on amphibians. These are likely to increase in upcoming years and may reveal adaptive variants that protect against dangerous pathogens or environmental changes. Altogether, genetic-fitness correlation studies should be a priority in order to develop effective management plans for the genetic rescue of isolated, imperilled amphibian populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heike Pröhl
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine of Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Schmidt C, Hoban S, Jetz W. Conservation macrogenetics: harnessing genetic data to meet conservation commitments. Trends Genet 2023; 39:816-829. [PMID: 37648576 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Genetic biodiversity is rapidly gaining attention in global conservation policy. However, for almost all species, conservation relevant, population-level genetic data are lacking, limiting the extent to which genetic diversity can be used for conservation policy and decision-making. Macrogenetics is an emerging discipline that explores the patterns and processes underlying population genetic composition at broad taxonomic and spatial scales by aggregating and reanalyzing thousands of published genetic datasets. Here we argue that focusing macrogenetic tools on conservation needs, or conservation macrogenetics, will enhance decision-making for conservation practice and fill key data gaps for global policy. Conservation macrogenetics provides an empirical basis for better understanding the complexity and resilience of biological systems and, thus, how anthropogenic drivers and policy decisions affect biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Schmidt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Sean Hoban
- The Center for Tree Science, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, USA
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Dufresnes C, Poyarkov N, Jablonski D. Acknowledging more biodiversity without more species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302424120. [PMID: 37748058 PMCID: PMC10556632 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302424120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Delimiting and naming biodiversity is a vital step toward wildlife conservation and research. However, species delimitation must be consistent across biota so that the limited resources available for nature protection can be spent effectively and objectively. To date, newly discovered lineages typically are either left undescribed and thus remain unprotected or are being erroneously proposed as new species despite mixed evidence for completed speciation, in turn contributing to the emerging problem of taxonomic inflation. Inspired by recent conceptual and methodological progress, we propose a standardized workflow for species delimitation that combines phylogenetic and hybrid zone analyses of genomic datasets ("genomic taxonomy"), in which phylogeographic lineages that do not freely admix are ranked as species, while those that have remained fully genetically compatible are ranked as subspecies. In both cases, we encourage their formal taxonomic naming, diagnosis, and description to promote social awareness toward biodiversity. The use of loci throughout the genome overcomes the unreliability of widely used barcoding genes when phylogeographic patterns are complex, while the evaluation of divergence and reproductive isolation unifies the long-opposed concepts of lineage species and biological species. We suggest that a shift in conservation assessments from a single level (species) toward a two-level hierarchy (species and subspecies) will lead to a more balanced perception of biodiversity in which both intraspecific and interspecific diversity are valued and more adequately protected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Dufresnes
- Laboratory of Amphibian Systematics and Evolutionary Research, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing210037, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nikolay Poyarkov
- Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center, Hanoi122000, Vietnam
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow119234, Russia
| | - Daniel Jablonski
- Department of Zoology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava84215, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
French CM, Bertola LD, Carnaval AC, Economo EP, Kass JM, Lohman DJ, Marske KA, Meier R, Overcast I, Rominger AJ, Staniczenko PPA, Hickerson MJ. Global determinants of insect mitochondrial genetic diversity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5276. [PMID: 37644003 PMCID: PMC10465557 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40936-0] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding global patterns of genetic diversity is essential for describing, monitoring, and preserving life on Earth. To date, efforts to map macrogenetic patterns have been restricted to vertebrates, which comprise only a small fraction of Earth's biodiversity. Here, we construct a global map of predicted insect mitochondrial genetic diversity from cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 sequences, derived from open data. We calculate the mitochondrial genetic diversity mean and genetic diversity evenness of insect assemblages across the globe, identify their environmental correlates, and make predictions of mitochondrial genetic diversity levels in unsampled areas based on environmental data. Using a large single-locus genetic dataset of over 2 million globally distributed and georeferenced mtDNA sequences, we find that mitochondrial genetic diversity evenness follows a quadratic latitudinal gradient peaking in the subtropics. Both mitochondrial genetic diversity mean and evenness positively correlate with seasonally hot temperatures, as well as climate stability since the last glacial maximum. Our models explain 27.9% and 24.0% of the observed variation in mitochondrial genetic diversity mean and evenness in insects, respectively, making an important step towards understanding global biodiversity patterns in the most diverse animal taxon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Connor M French
- Biology Department, City College of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Biology Ph.D. Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Laura D Bertola
- Biology Department, City College of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, N 2200, Denmark
| | - Ana C Carnaval
- Biology Department, City College of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Biology Ph.D. Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evan P Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Jamie M Kass
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, Japan
- Macroecology Laboratory, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - David J Lohman
- Biology Department, City College of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Biology Ph.D. Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Entomology Section, National Museum of Natural History, Manila, Philippines
| | | | - Rudolf Meier
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isaac Overcast
- Biology Ph.D. Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, France
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew J Rominger
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
- Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | | | - Michael J Hickerson
- Biology Department, City College of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Biology Ph.D. Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Li Y, Rao T, Gai L, Price ML, Yuxin L, Jianghong R. Giant pandas are losing their edge: Population trend and distribution dynamic drivers of the giant panda. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:4480-4495. [PMID: 37303043 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Comprehending the population trend and understanding the distribution range dynamics of species are necessary for global species protection. Recognizing what causes dynamic distribution change is crucial for identifying species' environmental preferences and formulating protection policies. Here, we studied the rear-edge population of the flagship species, giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), to (1) assess their population trend using their distribution patterns, (2) evaluate their distribution dynamics change from the second (1988) to the third (2001) survey (2-3 Interval) and third to the fourth (2013) survey (3-4 Interval) using a machine learning algorithm (eXtremely Gradient Boosting), and (3) decode model results to identify driver factors in the first known use of SHapley Additive exPlanations. Our results showed that the population trends in Liangshan Mountains were worst in the second survey (k = 1.050), improved by the third survey (k = 0.97), but deteriorated by the fourth survey (k = 0.996), which indicates a worrying population future. We found that precipitation had the most significant influence on distribution dynamics among several potential environmental factors, showing a negative correlation between precipitation and giant panda expansion. We recommend that further research is needed to understand the microenvironment and animal distribution dynamics. We provide a fresh perspective on the dynamics of giant panda distribution, highlighting novel focal points for ecological research on this species. Our study offers theoretical underpinnings that could inform the formulation of more effective conservation policies. Also, we emphasize the uniqueness and importance of the Liangshan Mountains giant pandas as the rear-edge population, which is at a high risk of population extinction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Li
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tong Rao
- Electric Power Research Institute, Yunnan Power Grid Co., Ltd, Kunming, China
| | - Luo Gai
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Megan L Price
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liu Yuxin
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ran Jianghong
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Crandall ED, Toczydlowski RH, Liggins L, Holmes AE, Ghoojaei M, Gaither MR, Wham BE, Pritt AL, Noble C, Anderson TJ, Barton RL, Berg JT, Beskid SG, Delgado A, Farrell E, Himmelsbach N, Queeno SR, Trinh T, Weyand C, Bentley A, Deck J, Riginos C, Bradburd GS, Toonen RJ. Importance of timely metadata curation to the global surveillance of genetic diversity. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14061. [PMID: 36704891 PMCID: PMC10751740 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Genetic diversity within species represents a fundamental yet underappreciated level of biodiversity. Because genetic diversity can indicate species resilience to changing climate, its measurement is relevant to many national and global conservation policy targets. Many studies produce large amounts of genome-scale genetic diversity data for wild populations, but most (87%) do not include the associated spatial and temporal metadata necessary for them to be reused in monitoring programs or for acknowledging the sovereignty of nations or Indigenous peoples. We undertook a distributed datathon to quantify the availability of these missing metadata and to test the hypothesis that their availability decays with time. We also worked to remediate missing metadata by extracting them from associated published papers, online repositories, and direct communication with authors. Starting with 848 candidate genomic data sets (reduced representation and whole genome) from the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration, we determined that 561 contained mostly samples from wild populations. We successfully restored spatiotemporal metadata for 78% of these 561 data sets (n = 440 data sets with data on 45,105 individuals from 762 species in 17 phyla). Examining papers and online repositories was much more fruitful than contacting 351 authors, who replied to our email requests 45% of the time. Overall, 23% of our email queries to authors unearthed useful metadata. The probability of retrieving spatiotemporal metadata declined significantly as age of the data set increased. There was a 13.5% yearly decrease in metadata associated with published papers or online repositories and up to a 22% yearly decrease in metadata that were only available from authors. This rapid decay in metadata availability, mirrored in studies of other types of biological data, should motivate swift updates to data-sharing policies and researcher practices to ensure that the valuable context provided by metadata is not lost to conservation science forever.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric D Crandall
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rachel H Toczydlowski
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Libby Liggins
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ann E Holmes
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Maryam Ghoojaei
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Michelle R Gaither
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Briana E Wham
- Department of Research Informatics and Publishing, The Pennsylvania State University Libraries, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrea L Pritt
- Madlyn L. Hanes Library, The Pennsylvania State University Libraries, Pennsylvania State University, Middletown, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cory Noble
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tanner J Anderson
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Randi L Barton
- Department of Marine Science, California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside, California, USA
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, California, USA
| | - Justin T Berg
- UOG Marine Laboratory, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam
| | - Sofia G Beskid
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Alonso Delgado
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Emily Farrell
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Nan Himmelsbach
- Department of Natural Science, Hawai'i Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Samantha R Queeno
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Thienthanh Trinh
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Courtney Weyand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Andrew Bentley
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - John Deck
- Berkeley Natural History Museums, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Cynthia Riginos
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gideon S Bradburd
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Robert J Toonen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hössjer O, Laikre L, Ryman N. Assessment of the Global Variance Effective Size of Subdivided Populations, and Its Relation to Other Effective Sizes. Acta Biotheor 2023; 71:19. [PMID: 37458852 PMCID: PMC10352448 DOI: 10.1007/s10441-023-09470-w] [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: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
The variance effective population size ([Formula: see text]) is frequently used to quantify the expected rate at which a population's allele frequencies change over time. The purpose of this paper is to find expressions for the global [Formula: see text] of a spatially structured population that are of interest for conservation of species. Since [Formula: see text] depends on allele frequency change, we start by dividing the cause of allele frequency change into genetic drift within subpopulations (I) and a second component mainly due to migration between subpopulations (II). We investigate in detail how these two components depend on the way in which subpopulations are weighted as well as their dependence on parameters of the model such a migration rates, and local effective and census sizes. It is shown that under certain conditions the impact of II is eliminated, and [Formula: see text] of the metapopulation is maximized, when subpopulations are weighted proportionally to their long term reproductive contributions. This maximal [Formula: see text] is the sought for global effective size, since it approximates the gene diversity effective size [Formula: see text], a quantifier of the rate of loss of genetic diversity that is relevant for conservation of species and populations. We also propose two novel versions of [Formula: see text], one of which (the backward version of [Formula: see text]) is most stable, exists for most populations, and is closer to [Formula: see text] than the classical notion of [Formula: see text]. Expressions for the optimal length of the time interval for measuring genetic change are developed, that make it possible to estimate any version of [Formula: see text] with maximal accuracy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ola Hössjer
- Division of Mathematical Statistics, Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Laikre
- Division of Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nils Ryman
- Division of Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Johnson JA, Athrey G, Anderson CM, Bell DA, Dixon A, Kumazawa Y, Maechtle T, Meeks GW, Mindell D, Nakajima K, Novak B, Talbot S, White C, Zhan X. Whole-genome survey reveals extensive variation in genetic diversity and inbreeding levels among peregrine falcon subspecies. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10347. [PMID: 37484928 PMCID: PMC10361364 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In efforts to prevent extinction, resource managers are often tasked with increasing genetic diversity in a population of concern to prevent inbreeding depression or improve adaptive potential in a changing environment. The assumption that all small populations require measures to increase their genetic diversity may be unwarranted, and limited resources for conservation may be better utilized elsewhere. We test this assumption in a case study focused on the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), a cosmopolitan circumpolar species with 19 named subspecies. We used whole-genome resequencing to generate over two million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from multiple individuals of all peregrine falcon subspecies. Our analyses revealed extensive variation among subspecies, with many island-restricted and nonmigratory populations possessing lower overall genomic diversity, elevated inbreeding coefficients (F ROH)-among the highest reported, and extensive runs of homozygosity (ROH) compared to mainland and migratory populations. Similarly, the majority of subspecies that are either nonmigratory or restricted to islands show a much longer history of low effective population size (N e). While mutational load analyses indicated an increased proportion of homozygous-derived deleterious variants (i.e., drift load) among nonmigrant and island populations compared to those that are migrant or reside on the mainland, no significant differences in the proportion of heterozygous deleterious variants (i.e., inbreeding load) was observed. Our results provide evidence that high levels of inbreeding may not be an existential threat for some populations or taxa. Additional factors such as the timing and severity of population declines are important to consider in management decisions about extinction potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeff A. Johnson
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of North TexasDentonTexasUSA
- Wolf Creek Operating FoundationWolfWyomingUSA
| | - Giridhar Athrey
- Department of Poultry Science & Faculty of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
| | | | - Douglas A. Bell
- East Bay Regional Park DistrictOaklandCaliforniaUSA
- California Academy of SciencesSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Andrew Dixon
- The Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation FundAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
- International Wildlife ConsultantsCarmarthenUK
| | - Yoshinori Kumazawa
- Research Center for Biological DiversityNagoya City UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | | | - Garrett W. Meeks
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of North TexasDentonTexasUSA
| | - David Mindell
- Museum of Vertebrate ZoologyUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Keiya Nakajima
- Research Center for Biological DiversityNagoya City UniversityNagoyaJapan
- The Japan Falconiformes CenterOwariasahiJapan
| | - Ben Novak
- Revive & RestoreSausalitoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sandra Talbot
- Far Northwestern Institute of Art and ScienceAnchorageAlaskaUSA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Budd K, Suddychan D, Tyson M, Coudrat CNZ, McWilliam A, Hallam CD, Johnson A, Eggert LS. Effects of a hydropower project on a high-value Asian elephant population. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10353. [PMID: 37502306 PMCID: PMC10368963 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading contributors to the endangered status of species. In 2006, the Nakai Plateau contained the largest known Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), and the population was among those with the highest genetic diversity reported for Asian elephants. In 2008, completion of the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric dam inundated much of the Plateau, resulting in the loss of 40% of elephant habitat. We studied elephant presence, movements, and the incidence of human-elephant conflict (HEC) on the Nakai Plateau and surrounding areas from 2004 to 2020, before and for 12 years after dam completion. To examine contemporary population dynamics in the Nakai elephants, we used genetic sampling to compare minimum population numbers, demography, and levels of genetic diversity from the wet and dry seasons in 2018/2019, 10 years after dam completion, with those reported in a pre-dam-completion genetic survey. After dam completion, we found a major increase in HEC locally and the creation of new, serious, and persistent HEC problems as far as 100 km away. While we were unable to compare estimated population sizes before and after dam completion, our data revealed a decrease in genetic diversity, a male-biased sex ratio, and evidence of dispersal from the Plateau by breeding-age females. Our results raise concerns about the long-term viability of this important population as well as that of other species in this region. Given that hydropower projects are of economic importance throughout Laos and elsewhere in southeast Asia, this study has important implications for understanding and mitigating their impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kris Budd
- Division of Biological SciencesUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | | | | | | | - Alex McWilliam
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)BangkokThailand
| | | | - Arlyne Johnson
- Foundations of SuccessBethesdaMarylandUSA
- Nelson Institute for Environmental StudiesUniversity of Wisconsin – MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Lori S. Eggert
- Division of Biological SciencesUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zanovello L, Girardi M, Marchesini A, Galla G, Casari S, Micheletti D, Endrizzi S, Fedrigotti C, Pedrini P, Bertorelle G, Hauffe HC. A validated protocol for eDNA-based monitoring of within-species genetic diversity in a pond-breeding amphibian. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4346. [PMID: 36928612 PMCID: PMC10020426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31410-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In light of the dramatic decline in amphibian biodiversity, new cost-efficient tools to rapidly monitor species abundance and population genetic diversity in space and time are urgently needed. It has been amply demonstrated that the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for single-species detection and characterization of community composition can increase the precision of amphibian monitoring compared to traditional (observational) approaches. However, it has been suggested that the efficiency and accuracy of the eDNA approach could be further improved by more timely sampling; in addition, the quality of genetic diversity data derived from the same DNA has been confirmed in other vertebrate taxa, but not amphibians. Given the availability of previous tissue-based genetic data, here we use the common frog Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758 as our target species and an improved eDNA protocol to: (i) investigate differences in species detection between three developmental stages in various freshwater environments; and (ii) study the diversity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes detected in eDNA (water) samples, by amplifying a specific fragment of the COI gene (331 base pairs, bp) commonly used as a barcode. Our protocol proved to be a reliable tool for monitoring population genetic diversity of this species, and could be a valuable addition to amphibian conservation and wetland management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Zanovello
- Conservation Genomics Research Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
- Conservation Biology Unit, MUSE - Science Museum Trento, Trento, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Girardi
- Conservation Genomics Research Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Alexis Marchesini
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), The National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulio Galla
- Conservation Genomics Research Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Stefano Casari
- Conservation Genomics Research Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Diego Micheletti
- Computational Biology Research Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Sonia Endrizzi
- Conservation Biology Unit, MUSE - Science Museum Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Chiara Fedrigotti
- Conservation Biology Unit, MUSE - Science Museum Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrini
- Conservation Biology Unit, MUSE - Science Museum Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bertorelle
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Heidi Christine Hauffe
- Conservation Genomics Research Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy.
- National Biodiversity Future Center, S.c.a.r.l., Palermo, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Guichard M, Dainat B, Dietemann V. Prospects, challenges and perspectives in harnessing natural selection to solve the ‘varroa problem’ of honey bees. Evol Appl 2023; 16:593-608. [PMID: 36969141 PMCID: PMC10035043 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees, Apis mellifera, of European origin are major pollinators of crops and wild flora. Their endemic and exported populations are threatened by a variety of abiotic and biotic factors. Among the latter, the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is the most important single cause behind colony mortality. The selection of mite resistance in honey bee populations has been deemed a more sustainable solution to its control than varroacidal treatments. Because natural selection has led to the survival of some European and African honey bee populations to V. destructor infestations, harnessing its principles has recently been highlighted as a more efficient way to provide honey bee lineages that survive infestations when compared with conventional selection on resistance traits against the parasite. However, the challenges and drawbacks of harnessing natural selection to solve the varroa problem have only been minimally addressed. We argue that failing to consider these issues could lead to counterproductive results, such as increased mite virulence, loss of genetic diversity reducing host resilience, population collapses or poor acceptance by beekeepers. Therefore, it appears timely to evaluate the prospects for the success of such programmes and the qualities of the populations obtained. After reviewing the approaches proposed in the literature and their outcomes, we consider their advantages and drawbacks and propose perspectives to overcome their limitations. In these considerations, we not only reflect on the theoretical aspects of host-parasite relationships but also on the currently largely neglected practical constraints, that is, the requirements for productive beekeeping, conservation or rewilding objectives. To optimize natural selection-based programmes towards these objectives, we suggest designs based on a combination of nature-driven phenotypic differentiation and human-directed selection of traits. Such a dual strategy aims at allowing field-realistic evolutionary approaches towards the survival of V. destructor infestations and the improvement of honey bee health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vincent Dietemann
- Swiss Bee Research Centre Agroscope Bern Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, UNIL‐Sorge University of Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Schmidt C, Hoban S, Hunter M, Paz-Vinas I, Garroway CJ. Genetic diversity and IUCN Red List status. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023:e14064. [PMID: 36751982 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is an important and widely used tool for conservation assessment. The IUCN uses information about a species' range, population size, habitat quality and fragmentation levels, and trends in abundance to assess extinction risk. Genetic diversity is not considered, although it affects extinction risk. Declining populations are more strongly affected by genetic drift and higher rates of inbreeding, which can reduce the efficiency of selection, lead to fitness declines, and hinder species' capacities to adapt to environmental change. Given the importance of conserving genetic diversity, attempts have been made to find relationships between red-list status and genetic diversity. Yet, there is still no consensus on whether genetic diversity is captured by the current IUCN Red List categories in a way that is informative for conservation. To assess the predictive power of correlations between genetic diversity and IUCN Red List status in vertebrates, we synthesized previous work and reanalyzed data sets based on 3 types of genetic data: mitochondrial DNA, microsatellites, and whole genomes. Consistent with previous work, species with higher extinction risk status tended to have lower genetic diversity for all marker types, but these relationships were weak and varied across taxa. Regardless of marker type, genetic diversity did not accurately identify threatened species for any taxonomic group. Our results indicate that red-list status is not a useful metric for informing species-specific decisions about the protection of genetic diversity and that genetic data cannot be used to identify threat status in the absence of demographic data. Thus, there is a need to develop and assess metrics specifically designed to assess genetic diversity and inform conservation policy, including policies recently adopted by the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Schmidt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sean Hoban
- The Center for Tree Science, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois, USA
| | - Margaret Hunter
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ivan Paz-Vinas
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR5174, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, CNRS, IRD, Toulouse, France
| | - Colin J Garroway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Molecular ecology meets systematic conservation planning. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:143-155. [PMID: 36210287 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Integrative and proactive conservation approaches are critical to the long-term persistence of biodiversity. Molecular data can provide important information on evolutionary processes necessary for conserving multiple levels of biodiversity (genes, populations, species, and ecosystems). However, molecular data are rarely used to guide spatial conservation decision-making. Here, we bridge the fields of molecular ecology (ME) and systematic conservation planning (SCP) (the 'why') to build a foundation for the inclusion of molecular data into spatial conservation planning tools (the 'how'), and provide a practical guide for implementing this integrative approach for both conservation planners and molecular ecologists. The proposed framework enhances interdisciplinary capacity, which is crucial to achieving the ambitious global conservation goals envisioned for the next decade.
Collapse
|
28
|
Thompson LM, Thurman LL, Cook CN, Beever EA, Sgrò CM, Battles A, Botero CA, Gross JE, Hall KR, Hendry AP, Hoffmann AA, Hoving C, LeDee OE, Mengelt C, Nicotra AB, Niver RA, Pérez‐Jvostov F, Quiñones RM, Schuurman GW, Schwartz MK, Szymanski J, Whiteley A. Connecting research and practice to enhance the evolutionary potential of species under climate change. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Thompson
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | | | - Carly N. Cook
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Erik A. Beever
- USGS, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center and Montana State University Bozeman Montana USA
| | - Carla M. Sgrò
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | | | | | - John E. Gross
- National Park Service (NPS) Climate Change Response Program Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Olivia E. LeDee
- USGS, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center Saint Paul Minnesota USA
| | | | | | - Robyn A. Niver
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Branch of Listing and Policy Support Bailey's Crossroads Virginia USA
| | | | - Rebecca M. Quiñones
- Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Westborough Massachusetts USA
| | - Gregor W. Schuurman
- National Park Service (NPS) Climate Change Response Program Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Michael K. Schwartz
- U.S. Forest Service, National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation Missoula Montana USA
| | - Jennifer Szymanski
- USFWS, Branch of SSA Science Support, Division of Endangered Species Onalaska Wisconsin USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hoban S, Bruford MW, da Silva JM, Funk WC, Frankham R, Gill MJ, Grueber CE, Heuertz M, Hunter ME, Kershaw F, Lacy RC, Lees C, Lopes-Fernandes M, MacDonald AJ, Mastretta-Yanes A, McGowan PJK, Meek MH, Mergeay J, Millette KL, Mittan-Moreau CS, Navarro LM, O'Brien D, Ogden R, Segelbacher G, Paz-Vinas I, Vernesi C, Laikre L. Genetic diversity goals and targets have improved, but remain insufficient for clear implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. CONSERV GENET 2023; 24:181-191. [PMID: 36683963 PMCID: PMC9841145 DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01492-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Genetic diversity among and within populations of all species is necessary for people and nature to survive and thrive in a changing world. Over the past three years, commitments for conserving genetic diversity have become more ambitious and specific under the Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) draft post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF). This Perspective article comments on how goals and targets of the GBF have evolved, the improvements that are still needed, lessons learned from this process, and connections between goals and targets and the actions and reporting that will be needed to maintain, protect, manage and monitor genetic diversity. It is possible and necessary that the GBF strives to maintain genetic diversity within and among populations of all species, to restore genetic connectivity, and to develop national genetic conservation strategies, and to report on these using proposed, feasible indicators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Hoban
- The Morton Arboretum, Center for Tree Science, Lisle, USA.,The University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Jessica M da Silva
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.,Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - W Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Richard Frankham
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Michael J Gill
- NatureServe, Biodiversity Indicators Program, Arlington, USA
| | - Catherine E Grueber
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Margaret E Hunter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, USA
| | - Francine Kershaw
- Oceans Division, Natural Resources Defense Council, NewYork, USA
| | - Robert C Lacy
- Chicago Zoological Society, Species Conservation Toolkit Initiative, Brookfield, USA
| | - Caroline Lees
- Conservation Planning Specialist Group, IUCN SSC, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Anna J MacDonald
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Australia
| | - Alicia Mastretta-Yanes
- Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO), Mexico City, Mexico.,Consejo Nacional de Ciencia Y Tecnología (CONACYT), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Philip J K McGowan
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Mariah H Meek
- Department of Integrative Biology; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, AgBio Research, Lansing, USA
| | - Joachim Mergeay
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Katie L Millette
- Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cinnamon S Mittan-Moreau
- Kellogg Biological Station; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Michigan State University, Lansing, USA
| | | | | | - Rob Ogden
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ivan Paz-Vinas
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | | | - Linda Laikre
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Andersson A, Karlsson S, Ryman N, Laikre L. Monitoring genetic diversity with new indicators applied to an alpine freshwater top predator. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6422-6439. [PMID: 36170147 PMCID: PMC10091952 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16710] [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: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Genetic diversity is the basis for population adaptation and long-term survival, yet rarely considered in biodiversity monitoring. One key issue is the need for useful and straightforward indicators of genetic diversity. We monitored genetic diversity over 40 years (1970-2010) in metapopulations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) inhabiting 27 small mountain lakes representing 10 lake systems in central Sweden using >1200 fish per time point. We tested six newly proposed indicators; three were designed for broad, international use in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and are currently applied in several countries. The other three were recently elaborated for national use by a Swedish science-management effort and applied for the first time here. The Swedish indicators use molecular genetic data to monitor genetic diversity within and between populations (indicators ΔH and ΔFST , respectively) and assess the effective population size (Ne -indicator). We identified 29 genetically distinct populations, all retained over time. Twelve of the 27 lakes harboured more than one population indicating that brown trout biodiversity hidden as cryptic, sympatric populations are more common than recognized. The Ne indicator showed values below the threshold (Ne ≤ 500) in 20 populations with five showing Ne < 100. Statistically significant genetic diversity reductions occurred in several populations. Metapopulation structure appears to buffer against diversity loss; applying the indicators to metapopulations suggest mostly acceptable rates of change in all but one system. The CBD indicators agreed with the Swedish ones but provided less detail. All these indicators are appropriate for managers to initiate monitoring of genetic biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Andersson
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sten Karlsson
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nils Ryman
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Laikre
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Thomas NE, Hailer F, Bruford MW, Chadwick EA. Country-wide genetic monitoring over 21 years reveals lag in genetic recovery despite spatial connectivity in an expanding carnivore (Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra) population. Evol Appl 2022; 15:2125-2141. [PMID: 36540646 PMCID: PMC9753835 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13505] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous terrestrial mammal species have experienced extensive population declines during past centuries, due largely to anthropogenic pressures. For some species, including the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), environmental and legal protection has more recently led to population growth and recolonization of parts of their historic ranges. While heralded as conservation success, only few such recoveries have been examined from a genetic perspective, i.e. whether genetic variability and connectivity have been restored. We here use large-scale and long-term genetic monitoring data from UK otters, whose population underwent a well-documented population decline between the 1950s and 1970s, to explore the dynamics of a population re-expansion over a 21-year period. We genotyped otters from across Wales and England at five time points between 1994 and 2014 using 15 microsatellite loci. We used this combination of long-term temporal and large-scale spatial sampling to evaluate 3 hypotheses relating to genetic recovery that (i) gene flow between subpopulations would increase over time, (ii) genetic diversity of previously isolated populations would increase and that (iii) genetic structuring would weaken over time. Although we found an increase in inter-regional gene flow and admixture levels among subpopulations, there was no significant temporal change in either heterozygosity or allelic richness. Genetic structuring among the main subpopulations hence remained strong and showed a clear historical continuity. These findings highlight an underappreciated aspect of population recovery of endangered species: that genetic recovery may often lag behind the processes of spatial and demographic recovery. In other words, the restoration of the physical connectivity of populations does not necessarily lead to genetic connectivity. Our findings emphasize the need for genetic data as an integral part of conservation monitoring, to enable the potential vulnerability of populations to be evaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nia E. Thomas
- Organisms and Environment Research Division, School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffWalesUK
| | - Frank Hailer
- Organisms and Environment Research Division, School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffWalesUK
| | - Michael W. Bruford
- Organisms and Environment Research Division, School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffWalesUK
| | - Elizabeth A. Chadwick
- Organisms and Environment Research Division, School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffWalesUK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Harned SP, Bernard AM, Salinas‐de‐León P, Mehlrose MR, Suarez J, Robles Y, Bessudo S, Ladino F, López Garo A, Zanella I, Feldheim KA, Shivji MS. Genetic population dynamics of the critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark ( Sphyrna lewini) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9642. [PMID: 36619714 PMCID: PMC9797937 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini, is a Critically Endangered, migratory species known for its tendency to form iconic and visually spectacular large aggregations. Herein, we investigated the population genetic dynamics of the scalloped hammerhead across much of its distribution in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), ranging from Costa Rica to Ecuador, focusing on young-of-year animals from putative coastal nursery areas and adult females from seasonal aggregations that form in the northern Galápagos Islands. Nuclear microsatellites and partial mitochondrial control region sequences showed little evidence of population structure suggesting that scalloped hammerheads in this ETP region comprise a single genetic stock. Galápagos aggregations of adults were not comprised of related individuals, suggesting that kinship does not play a role in the formation of the repeated, annual gatherings at these remote offshore locations. Despite high levels of fisheries exploitation of this species in the ETP, the adult scalloped hammerheads here showed greater genetic diversity compared with adult conspecifics from other parts of the species' global distribution. A phylogeographic analysis of available, globally sourced, mitochondrial control region sequence data (n = 1818 sequences) revealed that scalloped hammerheads comprise three distinct matrilines corresponding to the three major world ocean basins, highlighting the need for conservation of these evolutionarily unique lineages. This study provides the first view of the genetic properties of a scalloped hammerhead aggregation, and the largest sample size-based investigation of population structure and phylogeography of this species in the ETP to date.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sydney P. Harned
- Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center and Guy Harvey Research InstituteNova Southeastern UniversityDania BeachFloridaUSA
| | - Andrea M. Bernard
- Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center and Guy Harvey Research InstituteNova Southeastern UniversityDania BeachFloridaUSA
| | - Pelayo Salinas‐de‐León
- Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center and Guy Harvey Research InstituteNova Southeastern UniversityDania BeachFloridaUSA
- Charles Darwin Research StationCharles Darwin FoundationGalápagos IslandsEcuador
| | - Marissa R. Mehlrose
- Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center and Guy Harvey Research InstituteNova Southeastern UniversityDania BeachFloridaUSA
| | - Jenifer Suarez
- Direccion Parque Nacional GalápagosDepartamento de Ecosistemas MarinosIslas GalápagosEcuador
| | - Yolani Robles
- Universidad de Panamá, Centro Regional Universitario de VeraguasSan Martín de PorresPanama
| | - Sandra Bessudo
- Fundacion Malpelo y Otros Ecosistemas MarinosBogotáColombia
| | - Felipe Ladino
- Fundacion Malpelo y Otros Ecosistemas MarinosBogotáColombia
| | - Andrés López Garo
- Asociación Conservacionista Misión Tiburon, Playas del CocoCarrilloGuanacasteCosta Rica
| | - Ilena Zanella
- Asociación Conservacionista Misión Tiburon, Playas del CocoCarrilloGuanacasteCosta Rica
| | - Kevin A. Feldheim
- Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and EvolutionField Museum of Natural HistoryChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Mahmood S. Shivji
- Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center and Guy Harvey Research InstituteNova Southeastern UniversityDania BeachFloridaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
von Takach B, Ranjard L, Burridge CP, Cameron SF, Cremona T, Eldridge MDB, Fisher DO, Frankenberg S, Hill BM, Hohnen R, Jolly CJ, Kelly E, MacDonald AJ, Moussalli A, Ottewell K, Phillips BL, Radford IJ, Spencer PBS, Trewella GJ, Umbrello LS, Banks SC. Population genomics of a predatory mammal reveals patterns of decline and impacts of exposure to toxic toads. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5468-5486. [PMID: 36056907 PMCID: PMC9826391 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Mammal declines across northern Australia are one of the major biodiversity loss events occurring globally. There has been no regional assessment of the implications of these species declines for genomic diversity. To address this, we conducted a species-wide assessment of genomic diversity in the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), an Endangered marsupial carnivore. We used next generation sequencing methods to genotype 10,191 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 352 individuals from across a 3220-km length of the continent, investigating patterns of population genomic structure and diversity, and identifying loci showing signals of putative selection. We found strong heterogeneity in the distribution of genomic diversity across the continent, characterized by (i) biogeographical barriers driving hierarchical population structure through long-term isolation, and (ii) severe reductions in diversity resulting from population declines, exacerbated by the spread of introduced toxic cane toads (Rhinella marina). These results warn of a large ongoing loss of genomic diversity and associated adaptive capacity as mammals decline across northern Australia. Encouragingly, populations of the northern quoll established on toad-free islands by translocations appear to have maintained most of the initial genomic diversity after 16 years. By mapping patterns of genomic diversity within and among populations, and investigating these patterns in the context of population declines, we can provide conservation managers with data critical to informed decision-making. This includes the identification of populations that are candidates for genetic management, the importance of remnant island and insurance/translocated populations for the conservation of genetic diversity, and the characterization of putative evolutionarily significant units.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brenton von Takach
- Research Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin UniversityDarwinNorthern TerritoryAustralia,School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Louis Ranjard
- The Research School of Biology, Faculty of ScienceThe Australian National UniversityActonAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia,PlantTech Research InstituteTaurangaNew Zealand
| | | | - Skye F. Cameron
- Australian Wildlife ConservancyKimberleyWestern AustraliaAustralia,School of Biological SciencesUniversity of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Teigan Cremona
- Research Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin UniversityDarwinNorthern TerritoryAustralia
| | | | - Diana O. Fisher
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | | | - Brydie M. Hill
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment, Parks and Water SecurityNorthern Territory GovernmentNorthern TerritoryAustralia
| | - Rosemary Hohnen
- Research Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin UniversityDarwinNorthern TerritoryAustralia
| | - Chris J. Jolly
- Institute of Land, Water and Society, School of Environmental ScienceCharles Sturt UniversityAlburyNew South WalesAustralia,School of Natural SciencesMacquarie UniversityMacquarie ParkNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Ella Kelly
- School of BioSciencesUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Anna J. MacDonald
- The Research School of Biology, Faculty of ScienceThe Australian National UniversityActonAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia,Australian Antarctic Division, Department of AgricultureWater and the EnvironmentKingstonTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Adnan Moussalli
- School of BioSciencesUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,Department of ScienceMuseums VictoriaMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Kym Ottewell
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Ben L. Phillips
- School of BioSciencesUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Ian J. Radford
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Peter B. S. Spencer
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Gavin J. Trewella
- Research Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin UniversityDarwinNorthern TerritoryAustralia
| | - Linette S. Umbrello
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia,Collections and Research CentreWestern Australian MuseumWelshpoolWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Sam C. Banks
- Research Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin UniversityDarwinNorthern TerritoryAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Shi Y, Homola JJ, Euclide PT, Isermann DA, Caroffino D, McPhee MV, Larson WA. High-density genomic data reveal fine-scale population structure and pronounced islands of adaptive divergence in lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis) from Lake Michigan. Evol Appl 2022; 15:1776-1791. [PMID: 36426119 PMCID: PMC9679245 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding patterns of genetic structure and adaptive variation in natural populations is crucial for informing conservation and management. Past genetic research using 11 microsatellite loci identified six genetic stocks of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) within Lake Michigan, USA. However, ambiguity in genetic stock assignments suggested those neutral microsatellite markers did not provide adequate power for delineating lake whitefish stocks in this system, prompting calls for a genomics approach to investigate stock structure. Here, we generated a dense genomic dataset to characterize population structure and investigate patterns of neutral and adaptive genetic diversity among lake whitefish populations in Lake Michigan. Using Rapture sequencing, we genotyped 829 individuals collected from 17 baseline populations at 197,588 SNP markers after quality filtering. Although the overall pattern of genetic structure was similar to the previous microsatellite study, our genomic data provided several novel insights. Our results indicated a large genetic break between the northwestern and eastern sides of Lake Michigan, and we found a much greater level of population structure on the eastern side compared to the northwestern side. Collectively, we observed five genomic islands of adaptive divergence on five different chromosomes. Each island displayed a different pattern of population structure, suggesting that combinations of genotypes at these adaptive regions are facilitating local adaptation to spatially heterogenous selection pressures. Additionally, we identified a large linkage disequilibrium block of ~8.5 Mb on chromosome 20 that is suggestive of a putative inversion but with a low frequency of the minor haplotype. Our study provides a comprehensive assessment of population structure and adaptive variation that can help inform the management of Lake Michigan's lake whitefish fishery and highlights the utility of incorporating adaptive loci into fisheries management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Shi
- College of Fisheries and Ocean SciencesUniversity of Alaska FairbanksJuneauAlaskaUSA
- Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
| | - Jared J. Homola
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
| | - Peter T. Euclide
- Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
| | - Daniel A. Isermann
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
| | - David C. Caroffino
- Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesCharlevoix Research StationCharlevoixMichiganUSA
| | - Megan V. McPhee
- College of Fisheries and Ocean SciencesUniversity of Alaska FairbanksJuneauAlaskaUSA
| | - Wesley A. Larson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Stevens PointStevens PointWisconsinUSA
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay LaboratoriesNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationJuneauAlaskaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Zhang Z, Sui Z, Zhang J, Li Q, Zhang Y, Wang C, Li X, Xing F. Identification of Signatures of Selection for Litter Size and Pubertal Initiation in Two Sheep Populations. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192520. [PMID: 36230262 PMCID: PMC9559472 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fecundity is an important economic trait in sheep that directly affects their economic and productive efficiency. Our study aimed to identify SNP loci associated with sheep puberty or litter size which could be used in future breeding programs to improve fertility. Genomic DNA was obtained from Hetian and Cele Black sheep breeds and used for reduced-representation genome sequencing to identify SNP loci associated with pubertal initiation and litter size. Selective signatures analysis was performed based on the fixation index and nucleotide diversity, followed by pathway analysis of the genes contained in the selected regions. The selected SNP loci in the genes associated with pubertal initiation and litter size were validated using both sheep breeds. In total, 384,718 high quality SNPs were obtained and 376 genes were selected. Functional annotation of genes and enrichment analysis identified 12 genes associated with pubertal initiation and 11 genes associated with litter size. SNP locus validation showed that two SNP on PAK1 and four on ADCY1 may be associated with pubertal initiation, and one SNP on GNAQ gene (NC_040253.1: g.62677376G > A) was associated with litter size in Cele Black sheep. Our results provide new theoretical support for sheep breeding.
Collapse
|
36
|
Sękiewicz K, Danelia I, Farzaliyev V, Gholizadeh H, Iszkuło G, Naqinezhad A, Ramezani E, Thomas PA, Tomaszewski D, Walas Ł, Dering M. Past climatic refugia and landscape resistance explain spatial genetic structure in Oriental beech in the South Caucasus. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9320. [PMID: 36188519 PMCID: PMC9490144 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting species-level effects of climatic changes requires unraveling the factors affecting the spatial genetic composition. However, disentangling the relative contribution of historical and contemporary drivers is challenging. By applying landscape genetics and species distribution modeling, we investigated processes that shaped the neutral genetic structure of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), aiming to assess the potential risks involved due to possible future distribution changes in the species. Using nuclear microsatellites, we analyze 32 natural populations from the Georgia and Azerbaijan (South Caucasus). We found that the species colonization history is the most important driver of the genetic pattern. The detected west-east gradient of genetic differentiation corresponds strictly to the Colchis and Hyrcanian glacial refugia. A significant signal of associations to environmental variables suggests that the distinct genetic composition of the Azerbaijan and Hyrcanian stands might also be structured by the local climate. Oriental beech retains an overall high diversity; however, in the context of projected habitat loss, its genetic resources might be greatly impoverished. The most affected are the Azerbaijan and Hyrcanian populations, for which the detected genetic impoverishment may enhance their vulnerability to environmental change. Given the adaptive potential of range-edge populations, the loss of these populations may ultimately affect the specie's adaptation, and thus the stability and resilience of forest ecosystems in the Caucasus ecoregion. Our study is the first approximation of the potential risks involved, inducing far-reaching conclusions about the need of maintaining the genetic resources of Oriental beech for a species' capacity to cope with environmental change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Irina Danelia
- Faculty of Agricultural Science and Biosystems EngineeringGeorgian Technical UniversityTbilisiGeorgia
- National Botanical Garden of GeorgiaTbilisiGeorgia
| | - Vahid Farzaliyev
- Forest Development ServiceMinistry of Ecology and Natural Resources of AzerbaijanBakuAzerbaijan
| | - Hamid Gholizadeh
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Basic SciencesUniversity of MazandaranBabolsarIran
| | - Grzegorz Iszkuło
- Institute of DendrologyPolish Academy of SciencesKórnikPoland
- Faculty of Biological SciencesUniversity of Zielona GóraZielona GóraPoland
| | - Alireza Naqinezhad
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Basic SciencesUniversity of MazandaranBabolsarIran
| | - Elias Ramezani
- Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural ResourcesUrmia UniversityUrmiaIran
| | | | | | - Łukasz Walas
- Institute of DendrologyPolish Academy of SciencesKórnikPoland
| | - Monika Dering
- Institute of DendrologyPolish Academy of SciencesKórnikPoland
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood TechnologyPoznań University of Life SciencesPoznańPoland
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
The Threatened Species Imperative: Conservation assessments would benefit from population genomic insights. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210685119. [PMID: 35969797 PMCID: PMC9436345 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210685119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
38
|
Sandercock AM, Westbrook JW, Zhang Q, Johnson HA, Saielli TM, Scrivani JA, Fitzsimmons SF, Collins K, Perkins MT, Craddock JH, Schmutz J, Grimwood J, Holliday JA. Frozen in time: rangewide genomic diversity, structure, and demographic history of relict American chestnut populations. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:4640-4655. [PMID: 35880415 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once the most economically and ecologically important hardwood species in the eastern United States. In the first half of the 20th century, an exotic fungal pathogen - Cryphonectria parasitica - decimated the species, killing billions of chestnut trees. Two approaches to developing blight resistant American chestnut populations show promise, but both will require introduction of adaptive genomic diversity from wild germplasm to produce diverse, locally adapted restoration populations. Here we characterize population structure, demographic history, and genomic diversity in a range-wide sample of 384 wild American chestnuts to inform conservation and breeding with blight resistant varieties. Population structure analyses suggest that the chestnut range can be roughly divided into northeast, central, and southwest populations. Within-population genomic diversity estimates revealed a clinal pattern with the highest diversity in the southwest, which likely reflects bottleneck events associated with Quaternary glaciation. Finally, we identified genomic regions under positive selection within each population, which suggests that defense against fungal pathogens is a common target of selection across all populations. Taken together, these results show that American chestnut underwent a postglacial expansion from the southern portion of its range leading to three extant genetic populations. These populations will serve as management units for breeding adaptive genetic variation into the blight-resistant tree populations for targeted reintroduction efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Hayley A Johnson
- Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - M Taylor Perkins
- Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA
| | - J Hill Craddock
- Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA
| | - Jeremy Schmutz
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Jane Grimwood
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Jason A Holliday
- Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Samayoa AP, Struthers CD, Trnski T, Roberts CD, Liggins L. Molecular phylogenetics reveals the evolutionary history of marine fishes (Actinopterygii) endemic to the subtropical islands of the Southwest Pacific. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2022; 176:107584. [PMID: 35843570 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Remote oceanic islands of the Pacific host elevated levels of actinopterygian (ray-finned fishes) endemism. Characterizing the evolutionary histories of these endemics has provided insight into the generation and maintenance of marine biodiversity in many regions. The subtropical islands of Lord Howe, Norfolk, and Rangitāhua (Kermadec) in the Southwest Pacific are yet to be comprehensively studied. Here, we characterize the spatio-temporal diversification of marine fishes endemic to these Southwest Pacific islands by combining molecular phylogenies and the geographic distribution of species. We built Bayesian ultrametric trees based on open-access and newly generated sequences for five mitochondrial and ten nuclear loci, and using fossil data for time calibration. We present the most comprehensive phylogenies to date for marine ray-finned fish genera, comprising 34 species endemic to the islands, including the first phylogenetic placements for 11 endemics. Overall, our topologies confirm the species status of all endemics, including three undescribed taxa. Our phylogenies highlight the predominant affinity of these endemics with the Australian fish fauna (53%), followed by the East Pacific (15%), and individual cases where the closest sister taxon of our endemic is found in the Northwest Pacific and wider Indo-Pacific. Nonetheless, for a quarter of our focal endemics, their geographic affinity remains unresolved due to sampling gaps within their genera. Our divergence time estimates reveal that the majority of endemic lineages (67.6%) diverged after the emergence of Lord Howe (6.92 Ma), the oldest subtropical island in the Southwest Pacific, suggesting that these islands have promoted diversification. However, divergence ages of some endemics pre-date the emergence of the islands, suggesting they may have originated outside of these islands, or, in some cases, ages may be overestimated due to unsampled taxa. To fully understand the role of the Southwest Pacific subtropical islands as a 'cradle' for diversification, our study advocates for further regional surveys focused on tissue collection for DNA analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André P Samayoa
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand.
| | - Carl D Struthers
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, P.O. Box 467, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Thomas Trnski
- Natural Sciences, Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| | - Clive D Roberts
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, P.O. Box 467, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Libby Liggins
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand; Natural Sciences, Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Azevedo P, Butolo NP, de Alencar LD, Lima HMS, Sales VR, Malaspina O, Nocelli RCF. Optimization of in vitro culture of honeybee nervous tissue for pesticide risk assessment. Toxicol In Vitro 2022; 84:105437. [PMID: 35839977 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2022.105437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The most used pesticides have neurotoxic action on the neurotransmitter system of target and non-targeted insects, such as honeybees. However, honeybees have foremost importance worldwide, which has encouraged the development of tools to evaluate the action of specific pesticide molecules on their nervous system, providing accurate data on damage to their brain. In this sense, our study aimed to optimize in vitro honeybee nervous tissue culture to assess pesticide risks. To this end, six forager honeybee brains were dissected and transferred to different combinations of Leibovitz-15 (L-15) culture medium supplemented with Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS), and Insect Medium Supplement (IMS). Nervous tissues were collected after different incubation times (1, 6, 12, and 24 h) for morphology and Kenyon cell analyses. Our results showed that L-15 medium supplemented with HBSS and with HBSS plus FBS were the best media for culturing honey nervous tissue, as they resulted in less tissue spacing and cell disarrangement. Therefore, they may be assessed in future ecotoxicological tests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Azevedo
- Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho'(UNESP), Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, campus Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
| | - Nicole Pavan Butolo
- Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho'(UNESP), Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, campus Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciano Delmondes de Alencar
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Instituto de Biologia, Grupo de Genética e Genômica da Conservação, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Hellen Maria Soares Lima
- Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho'(UNESP), Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, campus Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Victor Ribeiro Sales
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Ciências da Natureza, Matemática e Educação, Grupo de Abelhas e Serviços Ambientais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agricultura e Ambiente, campus Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Osmar Malaspina
- Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho'(UNESP), Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, campus Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Roberta Cornélio Ferreira Nocelli
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Ciências da Natureza, Matemática e Educação, Grupo de Abelhas e Serviços Ambientais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agricultura e Ambiente, campus Araras, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Aylward M, Sagar V, Natesh M, Ramakrishnan U. How methodological changes have influenced our understanding of population structure in threatened species: insights from tiger populations across India. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20200418. [PMID: 35430878 PMCID: PMC9014192 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Unprecedented advances in sequencing technology in the past decade allow a better understanding of genetic variation and its partitioning in natural populations. Such inference is critical to conservation: to understand species biology and identify isolated populations. We review empirical population genetics studies of Endangered Bengal tigers within India, where 60-70% of wild tigers live. We assess how changes in marker type and sampling strategy have impacted inferences by reviewing past studies, and presenting three novel analyses including a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel, genome-wide SNP markers, and a whole-mitochondrial genome network. At a broad spatial scale, less than 100 SNPs revealed the same patterns of population clustering as whole genomes (with the exception of one additional population sampled only in the SNP panel). Mitochondrial DNA indicates a strong structure between the northeast and other regions. Two studies with more populations sampled revealed further substructure within Central India. Overall, the comparison of studies with varied marker types and sample sets allows more rigorous inference of population structure. Yet sampling of some populations is limited across all studies, and these should be the focus of future sampling efforts. We discuss challenges in our understanding of population structure, and how to further address relevant questions in conservation genetics. This article is part of the theme issue 'Celebrating 50 years since Lewontin's apportionment of human diversity'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Aylward
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR, Bangalore, India, 560065
| | - Vinay Sagar
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR, Bangalore, India, 560065
| | - Meghana Natesh
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India, 517507
| | - Uma Ramakrishnan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR, Bangalore, India, 560065
- Senior Fellow, DBT Wellcome Trust India Alliance, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, 500034
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Hohwieler KR, Villiers DL, Cristescu RH, Frere CH. Genetic erosion detected in a specialist mammal living in a fast‐developing environment. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12738] [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] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin R. Hohwieler
- Global Change Ecology Research Group University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Science, Technology and Engineering Sippy Down Queensland Australia
| | | | - Romane H. Cristescu
- Global Change Ecology Research Group University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Science, Technology and Engineering Sippy Down Queensland Australia
| | - Celine H. Frere
- School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Kershaw F, Bruford MW, Funk WC, Grueber CE, Hoban S, Hunter ME, Laikre L, MacDonald AJ, Meek MH, Mittan C, O´Brien D, Ogden R, Shaw RE, Vernesi C, Segelbacher G. The Coalition for Conservation Genetics: Working across organizations to build capacity and achieve change in policy and practice. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - W. Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Catherine E. Grueber
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Sean Hoban
- The Morton Arboretum, Center for Tree Science Lisle Illinois USA
| | - Margaret E. Hunter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Linda Laikre
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Anna J. MacDonald
- Research School of Biology The Australian National University Canberra Acton Australia
| | - Mariah H. Meek
- Department of Integrative Biology, AgBio Research, and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Cinnamon Mittan
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York USA
| | | | - Rob Ogden
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | - Robyn E. Shaw
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences Murdoch University Perth Australia
| | - Cristiano Vernesi
- Forest Ecology Unit, Research and Innovation Centre‐Fondazione Edmund Mach San Michele all’Adige Trentino Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Weise EM, Scribner KT, Adams JV, Boeberitz O, Jubar A, Bravener G, Johnson NS, Robinson JD. Pedigree analysis and estimates of effective breeding size characterize sea lamprey reproductive biology. Evol Appl 2022; 15:484-500. [PMID: 35386399 PMCID: PMC8965388 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is an invasive species in the Great Lakes and the focus of a large control and assessment program. Current assessment methods provide information on the census size of spawning adult sea lamprey in a small number of streams, but information characterizing reproductive success of spawning adults is rarely available. We used RAD-capture sequencing to genotype single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci for ~1600 sea lamprey larvae collected from three streams in northern Michigan (Black Mallard, Pigeon, and Ocqueoc Rivers). Larval genotypes were used to reconstruct family pedigrees, which were combined with Gaussian mixture analyses to identify larval age classes for estimation of spawning population size. Two complementary estimates of effective breeding size (N b), as well as the extrapolated minimum number of spawners (N s), were also generated for each cohort. Reconstructed pedigrees highlighted inaccuracies of cohort assignments from traditionally used mixture analyses. However, combining genotype-based pedigree information with length-at-age assignment of cohort membership greatly improved cohort identification accuracy. Population estimates across all three streams sampled in this study indicate a small number of successfully spawning adults when barriers were in operation, implying that barriers limited adult spawning numbers but were not completely effective at blocking access to spawning habitats. Thus, the large numbers of larvae present in sampled systems were a poor indicator of spawning adult abundance. Overall, pedigree-based N b and N s estimates provide a promising and rapid assessment tool for sea lamprey and other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M. Weise
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Kim T. Scribner
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
- Department of Integrative BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Jean V. Adams
- US Geological Survey ‐ Great Lakes Science CenterAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Olivia Boeberitz
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | | | - Gale Bravener
- Fisheries and Oceans CanadaSea Lamprey Control CentreSault Ste. MarieOntarioCanada
| | - Nicholas S. Johnson
- US Geological SurveyGreat Lakes Science CenterHammond Bay Biological StationMillersburgMichiganUSA
| | - John D. Robinson
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Çilingir FG, Hansen D, Bunbury N, Postma E, Baxter R, Turnbull L, Ozgul A, Grossen C. Low-coverage reduced representation sequencing reveals subtle within-island genetic structure in Aldabra giant tortoises. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8739. [PMID: 35342600 PMCID: PMC8931707 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aldabrachelys gigantea (Aldabra giant tortoise) is one of only two giant tortoise species left in the world and survives as a single wild population of over 100,000 individuals on Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles. Despite this large current population size, the species faces an uncertain future because of its extremely restricted distribution range and high vulnerability to the projected consequences of climate change. Captive-bred A. gigantea are increasingly used in rewilding programs across the region, where they are introduced to replace extinct giant tortoises in an attempt to functionally resurrect degraded island ecosystems. However, there has been little consideration of the current levels of genetic variation and differentiation within and among the islands on Aldabra. As previous microsatellite studies were inconclusive, we combined low-coverage and double-digest restriction-associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing to analyze samples from 33 tortoises (11 from each main island). Using 5426 variant sites within the tortoise genome, we detected patterns of within-island population structure, but no differentiation between the islands. These unexpected results highlight the importance of using genome-wide genetic markers to capture higher-resolution genetic structure to inform future management plans, even in a seemingly panmictic population. We show that low-coverage ddRAD sequencing provides an affordable alternative approach to conservation genomic projects of non-model species with large genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F. Gözde Çilingir
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Dennis Hansen
- Zoological MuseumUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Indian Ocean Tortoise AllianceVictoriaSeychelles
| | - Nancy Bunbury
- Seychelles Islands FoundationVictoriaSeychelles
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Erik Postma
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | | | | | - Arpat Ozgul
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Christine Grossen
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kearns AM, Campana MG, Slikas B, Berry L, Saitoh T, Cibois A, Fleischer RC. Conservation genomics and systematics of a near-extinct island radiation. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:1995-2012. [PMID: 35119154 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16382] [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: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Conservation benefits from incorporating genomics to explore the impacts of population declines, inbreeding, loss of genetic variation and hybridization. Here we use the near-extinct Mariana Islands reedwarbler radiation to showcase how ancient DNA approaches can allow insights into the population dynamics of extinct species and threatened populations for which historical museum specimens or material with low DNA yield (e.g., scats, feathers) are the only sources for DNA. Despite their having paraphyletic mtDNA, nuclear SNPs support the distinctiveness of critically endangered Acrocephalus hiwae and the other three species in the radiation that went extinct between the 1960s and 1990s. Two extinct species, A. yamashinae and A. luscinius, were deeply divergent from each other and from a third less differentiated lineage containing A. hiwae and extinct A. nijoi. Both mtDNA and SNPs suggest that the two isolated populations of A. hiwae from Saipan and Alamagan Islands are sufficiently distinct to warrant subspecies recognition and separate conservation management. We detected no significant differences in genetic diversity or inbreeding between Saipan and Alamagan, nor strong signatures of geographic structuring within either island. However, the implications of possible signatures of inbreeding in both Saipan and Alamagan, and long-term population declines in A. hiwae that predate modern anthropogenic threats require further study with denser population sampling. Our study highlights the value conservation genomics studies of island radiations have as windows onto the possible future for the world's biota as climate change and habitat destruction increasingly fragments their ranges and contributes to rapid declines in population abundances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Kearns
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian's National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
| | - Michael G Campana
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian's National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
| | - Beth Slikas
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian's National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, 20008, USA.,Center for Evolution & Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Lainie Berry
- Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan, MP, 96950, USA.,Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources-Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA
| | - Takema Saitoh
- Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, 115 Konoyama, Abiko, Chiba, 270-1145, Japan
| | - Alice Cibois
- Natural History Museum of Geneva, CP, 6434, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Robert C Fleischer
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian's National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Gibson AK. Genetic diversity and disease: The past, present, and future of an old idea. Evolution 2022; 76:20-36. [PMID: 34796478 PMCID: PMC9064374 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Why do infectious diseases erupt in some host populations and not others? This question has spawned independent fields of research in evolution, ecology, public health, agriculture, and conservation. In the search for environmental and genetic factors that predict variation in parasitism, one hypothesis stands out for its generality and longevity: genetically homogeneous host populations are more likely to experience severe parasitism than genetically diverse populations. In this perspective piece, I draw on overlapping ideas from evolutionary biology, agriculture, and conservation to capture the far-reaching implications of the link between genetic diversity and disease. I first summarize the development of this hypothesis and the results of experimental tests. Given the convincing support for the protective effect of genetic diversity, I then address the following questions: (1) Where has this idea been put to use, in a basic and applied sense, and how can we better use genetic diversity to limit disease spread? (2) What new hypotheses does the established disease-diversity relationship compel us to test? I conclude that monitoring, preserving, and augmenting genetic diversity is one of our most promising evolutionarily informed strategies for buffering wild, domesticated, and human populations against future outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Kyle Gibson
- Department of Biology University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia 22903
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Waterhouse RM, Adam-Blondon AF, Agosti D, Baldrian P, Balech B, Corre E, Davey RP, Lantz H, Pesole G, Quast C, Glöckner FO, Raes N, Sandionigi A, Santamaria M, Addink W, Vohradsky J, Nunes-Jorge A, Willassen NP, Lanfear J. Recommendations for connecting molecular sequence and biodiversity research infrastructures through ELIXIR. F1000Res 2021; 10:ELIXIR-1238. [PMID: 35999898 PMCID: PMC9360911 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.73825.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Threats to global biodiversity are increasingly recognised by scientists and the public as a critical challenge. Molecular sequencing technologies offer means to catalogue, explore, and monitor the richness and biogeography of life on Earth. However, exploiting their full potential requires tools that connect biodiversity infrastructures and resources. As a research infrastructure developing services and technical solutions that help integrate and coordinate life science resources across Europe, ELIXIR is a key player. To identify opportunities, highlight priorities, and aid strategic thinking, here we survey approaches by which molecular technologies help inform understanding of biodiversity. We detail example use cases to highlight how DNA sequencing is: resolving taxonomic issues; Increasing knowledge of marine biodiversity; helping understand how agriculture and biodiversity are critically linked; and playing an essential role in ecological studies. Together with examples of national biodiversity programmes, the use cases show where progress is being made but also highlight common challenges and opportunities for future enhancement of underlying technologies and services that connect molecular and wider biodiversity domains. Based on emerging themes, we propose key recommendations to guide future funding for biodiversity research: biodiversity and bioinformatic infrastructures need to collaborate closely and strategically; taxonomic efforts need to be aligned and harmonised across domains; metadata needs to be standardised and common data management approaches widely adopted; current approaches need to be scaled up dramatically to address the anticipated explosion of molecular data; bioinformatics support for biodiversity research needs to be enabled and sustained; training for end users of biodiversity research infrastructures needs to be prioritised; and community initiatives need to be proactive and focused on enabling solutions. For sequencing data to deliver their full potential they must be connected to knowledge: together, molecular sequence data collection initiatives and biodiversity research infrastructures can advance global efforts to prevent further decline of Earth's biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert M. Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology and Evolution and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, 1015, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Petr Baldrian
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Praha, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Bachir Balech
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, CNR, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Erwan Corre
- CNRS/Sorbonne Université, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, 29680, France
| | | | - Henrik Lantz
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology/NBIS, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Graziano Pesole
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, CNR, Bari, 70126, Italy
- Department of Biosciences. Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Christian Quast
- Life Sciences & Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Frank Oliver Glöckner
- MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremerhaven, 27570, Germany
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Center for Polar- and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, 27570, Germany
| | - Niels Raes
- NLBIF - Netherlands Biodiversity Information Facility, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | | | - Monica Santamaria
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, CNR, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Wouter Addink
- DiSSCo - Distributed System of Scientific Collections, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Jiri Vohradsky
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Institute of Microbiology, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Jerry Lanfear
- ELIXIR Hub, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wolkis D, Jones K, Flynn T, DeMotta M, Rønsted N. Germination of seeds from herbarium specimens as a last conservation resort for resurrecting extinct or critically endangered Hawaiian plants. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Wolkis
- National Tropical Botanical Garden Kalaheo Hawaii USA
- Natural History Museum of Denmark University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Seed Conservation Specialist Group Species Survival Commission, International Union for Conservation of Nature Gland Switzerland
| | - Kelli Jones
- National Tropical Botanical Garden Kalaheo Hawaii USA
| | - Tim Flynn
- National Tropical Botanical Garden Kalaheo Hawaii USA
| | - Mike DeMotta
- National Tropical Botanical Garden Kalaheo Hawaii USA
| | - Nina Rønsted
- National Tropical Botanical Garden Kalaheo Hawaii USA
- Natural History Museum of Denmark University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
New developments in the field of genomic technologies and their relevance to conservation management. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRecent technological advances in the field of genomics offer conservation managers and practitioners new tools to explore for conservation applications. Many of these tools are well developed and used by other life science fields, while others are still in development. Considering these technological possibilities, choosing the right tool(s) from the toolbox is crucial and can pose a challenging task. With this in mind, we strive to inspire, inform and illuminate managers and practitioners on how conservation efforts can benefit from the current genomic and biotechnological revolution. With inspirational case studies we show how new technologies can help resolve some of the main conservation challenges, while also informing how implementable the different technologies are. We here focus specifically on small population management, highlight the potential for genetic rescue, and discuss the opportunities in the field of gene editing to help with adaptation to changing environments. In addition, we delineate potential applications of gene drives for controlling invasive species. We illuminate that the genomic toolbox offers added benefit to conservation efforts, but also comes with limitations for the use of these novel emerging techniques.
Collapse
|