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De Meester L, Vázquez-Domínguez E, Kassen R, Forest F, Bellon MR, Koskella B, Scherson RA, Colli L, Hendry AP, Crandall KA, Faith DP, Starger CJ, Geeta R, Araki H, Dulloo EM, Souffreau C, Schroer S, Johnson MTJ. A link between evolution and society fostering the UN sustainable development goals. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13728. [PMID: 38884021 PMCID: PMC11178947 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13728] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Given the multitude of challenges Earth is facing, sustainability science is of key importance to our continued existence. Evolution is the fundamental biological process underlying the origin of all biodiversity. This phylogenetic diversity fosters the resilience of ecosystems to environmental change, and provides numerous resources to society, and options for the future. Genetic diversity within species is also key to the ability of populations to evolve and adapt to environmental change. Yet, the value of evolutionary processes and the consequences of their impairment have not generally been considered in sustainability research. We argue that biological evolution is important for sustainability and that the concepts, theory, data, and methodological approaches used in evolutionary biology can, in crucial ways, contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We discuss how evolutionary principles are relevant to understanding, maintaining, and improving Nature Contributions to People (NCP) and how they contribute to the SDGs. We highlight specific applications of evolution, evolutionary theory, and evolutionary biology's diverse toolbox, grouped into four major routes through which evolution and evolutionary insights can impact sustainability. We argue that information on both within-species evolutionary potential and among-species phylogenetic diversity is necessary to predict population, community, and ecosystem responses to global change and to make informed decisions on sustainable production, health, and well-being. We provide examples of how evolutionary insights and the tools developed by evolutionary biology can not only inspire and enhance progress on the trajectory to sustainability, but also highlight some obstacles that hitherto seem to have impeded an efficient uptake of evolutionary insights in sustainability research and actions to sustain SDGs. We call for enhanced collaboration between sustainability science and evolutionary biology to understand how integrating these disciplines can help achieve the sustainable future envisioned by the UN SDGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc De Meester
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) Berlin Germany
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Institute of Biology Freie University Berlin Berlin Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB) Berlin Germany
| | - Ella Vázquez-Domínguez
- Departamento de Ecología de la Biodiversidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad Universitaria Ciudad de México Mexico
- Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics Group Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC) Sevilla Spain
| | - Rees Kassen
- Department of Biology McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada
| | | | - Mauricio R Bellon
- Comisión Nacional Para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO) México City Mexico
- Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems Arizona State University Tempe Arizona USA
| | - Britt Koskella
- Department of Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley California USA
| | - Rosa A Scherson
- Laboratorio Evolución y Sistemática, Departamento de Silvicultura y Conservación de la Naturaleza Universidad de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Licia Colli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Della Nutrizione e Degli Alimenti, BioDNA Centro di Ricerca Sulla Biodiversità e Sul DNA Antico, Facoltà di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Piacenza Italy
| | - Andrew P Hendry
- Redpath Museum & Department of Biology McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Keith A Crandall
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics George Washington University Washington DC USA
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, US National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
| | | | - Craig J Starger
- School of Global Environmental Sustainability Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - R Geeta
- Department of Botany University of Delhi New Delhi India
| | - Hitoshi Araki
- Research Faculty of Agriculture Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Ehsan M Dulloo
- Effective Genetic Resources Conservation and Use Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Rome Italy
| | - Caroline Souffreau
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Sibylle Schroer
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) Berlin Germany
| | - Marc T J Johnson
- Department of Biology & Centre for Urban Environments University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
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2
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Balard A, Baltazar-Soares M, Eizaguirre C, Heckwolf MJ. An epigenetic toolbox for conservation biologists. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13699. [PMID: 38832081 PMCID: PMC11146150 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13699] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Ongoing climatic shifts and increasing anthropogenic pressures demand an efficient delineation of conservation units and accurate predictions of populations' resilience and adaptive potential. Molecular tools involving DNA sequencing are nowadays routinely used for these purposes. Yet, most of the existing tools focusing on sequence-level information have shortcomings in detecting signals of short-term ecological relevance. Epigenetic modifications carry valuable information to better link individuals, populations, and species to their environment. Here, we discuss a series of epigenetic monitoring tools that can be directly applied to various conservation contexts, complementing already existing molecular monitoring frameworks. Focusing on DNA sequence-based methods (e.g. DNA methylation, for which the applications are readily available), we demonstrate how (a) the identification of epi-biomarkers associated with age or infection can facilitate the determination of an individual's health status in wild populations; (b) whole epigenome analyses can identify signatures of selection linked to environmental conditions and facilitate estimating the adaptive potential of populations; and (c) epi-eDNA (epigenetic environmental DNA), an epigenetic-based conservation tool, presents a non-invasive sampling method to monitor biological information beyond the mere presence of individuals. Overall, our framework refines conservation strategies, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of species' adaptive potential and persistence on ecologically relevant timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Balard
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences Queen Mary University of London London UK
| | | | - Christophe Eizaguirre
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences Queen Mary University of London London UK
| | - Melanie J Heckwolf
- Department of Ecology Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research Bremen Germany
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3
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Tengstedt ANB, Liu S, Jacobsen MW, Gundlund C, Møller PR, Berg S, Bekkevold D, Hansen MM. Genomic insights on conservation priorities for North Sea houting and European lake whitefish (Coregonus spp.). Mol Ecol 2024:e17367. [PMID: 38686435 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17367] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Population genomics analysis holds great potential for informing conservation of endangered populations. We focused on a controversial case of European whitefish (Coregonus spp.) populations. The endangered North Sea houting is the only coregonid fish that tolerates oceanic salinities and was previously considered a species (C. oxyrhinchus) distinct from European lake whitefish (C. lavaretus). However, no firm evidence for genetic-based salinity adaptation has been available. Also, studies based on microsatellite and mitogenome data suggested surprisingly recent divergence (c. 2500 years bp) between houting and lake whitefish. These data types furthermore have provided no evidence for possible inbreeding. Finally, a controversial taxonomic revision recently classified all whitefish in the region as C. maraena, calling conservation priorities of houting into question. We used whole-genome and ddRAD sequencing to analyse six lake whitefish populations and the only extant indigenous houting population. Demographic inference indicated post-glacial expansion and divergence between lake whitefish and houting occurring not long after the Last Glaciation, implying deeper population histories than previous analyses. Runs of homozygosity analysis suggested not only high inbreeding (FROH up to 30.6%) in some freshwater populations but also FROH up to 10.6% in the houting prompting conservation concerns. Finally, outlier scans provided evidence for adaptation to high salinities in the houting. Applying a framework for defining conservation units based on current and historical reproductive isolation and adaptive divergence led us to recommend that the houting be treated as a separate conservation unit regardless of species status. In total, the results underscore the potential of genomics to inform conservation practices, in this case clarifying conservation units and highlighting populations of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shenglin Liu
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Magnus W Jacobsen
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | | | - Peter Rask Møller
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Berg
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Dorte Bekkevold
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
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4
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Shahmohamadloo RS, Fryxell JM, Rudman SM. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance increases trait variation but is not adaptive. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.15.589575. [PMID: 38659883 PMCID: PMC11042258 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.15.589575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Understanding processes that can produce adaptive phenotypic shifts in response to rapid environmental change is critical to reducing biodiversity loss. The ubiquity of environmentally induced epigenetic marks has led to speculation that epigenetic inheritance could potentially enhance population persistence in response to environmental change. Yet, the magnitude and fitness consequences of epigenetic marks carried beyond maternal inheritance are largely unknown. Here, we tested how transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI) shapes the phenotypic response of Daphnia clones to the environmental stressor Microcystis. We split individuals from each of eight genotypes into exposure and control treatments (F0 generation) and tracked the fitness of their descendants to the F3 generation. We found transgenerational epigenetic exposure to Microcystis led to reduced rates of survival and individual growth and no consistent effect on offspring production. Increase in trait variance in the F3 relative to F0 generations suggests potential for heritable bet hedging driven by TEI, which could impact population dynamics. Our findings are counter to the working hypothesis that TEI is a generally adaptive mechanism likely to prevent extinction for populations inhabiting rapidly changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- René S. Shahmohamadloo
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, United States
| | - John M. Fryxell
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Seth M. Rudman
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, United States
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Pavlova A, Schneller NM, Lintermans M, Beitzel M, Robledo‐Ruiz DA, Sunnucks P. Planning and implementing genetic rescue of an endangered freshwater fish population in a regulated river, where low flow reduces breeding opportunities and may trigger inbreeding depression. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13679. [PMID: 38617824 PMCID: PMC11009430 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13679] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Augmenting depleted genetic diversity can improve the fitness and evolutionary potential of wildlife populations, but developing effective management approaches requires genetically monitored test cases. One such case is the small, isolated and inbred Cotter River population of an endangered Australian freshwater fish, the Macquarie perch Macquaria australasica, which over 3 years (2017-2019) received 71 translocated migrants from a closely related, genetically more diverse population. We used genetic monitoring to test whether immigrants bred, interbred with local fish and augmented population genetic diversity. We also investigated whether levels of river flow affected recruitment, inbreeding depression and juvenile dispersal. Fish length was used to estimate the age, birth year cohort and growth of 524 individuals born between 2016 and 2020 under variable flow conditions. DArT genome-wide genotypes were used to assess individual ancestry, heterozygosity, short-term effective population size and identify parent-offspring and full-sibling families. Of 442 individuals born after translocations commenced, only two (0.45%) were of mixed ancestry; these were half-sibs with one translocated parent in common. Numbers of breeders and genetic diversity for five birth year cohorts of the Cotter River fish were low, especially in low-flow years. Additionally, individuals born in the year of lowest flow evidently suffered from inbreeding depression for juvenile growth. The year of highest flow was associated with the largest number of breeders, lowest inbreeding in the offspring and greatest juvenile dispersal distances. Genetic diversity decreased in the upstream direction, flagging restricted access of breeders to the most upstream breeding sites, exacerbated by low river flow. Our results suggest that the effectiveness of translocations could be increased by focussing on upstream sites and moving more individuals per year; using riverine sources should be considered. Our results indicate that river flow sufficient to facilitate fish movement through the system would increase the number of breeders, promote individuals' growth, reduce inbreeding depression and promote genetic rescue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Pavlova
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Nadja M. Schneller
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mark Lintermans
- Centre for Applied Water ScienceInstitute for Applied Ecology, University of CanberraCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Matt Beitzel
- Environment, Planning & Sustainable Development Directorate (ACT Government)CanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | | | - Paul Sunnucks
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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6
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Iverson ENK. Conservation Mitonuclear Replacement: Facilitated mitochondrial adaptation for a changing world. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13642. [PMID: 38468713 PMCID: PMC10925831 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13642] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Most species will not be able to migrate fast enough to cope with climate change, nor evolve quickly enough with current levels of genetic variation. Exacerbating the problem are anthropogenic influences on adaptive potential, including the prevention of gene flow through habitat fragmentation and the erosion of genetic diversity in small, bottlenecked populations. Facilitated adaptation, or assisted evolution, offers a way to augment adaptive genetic variation via artificial selection, induced hybridization, or genetic engineering. One key source of genetic variation, particularly for climatic adaptation, are the core metabolic genes encoded by the mitochondrial genome. These genes influence environmental tolerance to heat, drought, and hypoxia, but must interact intimately and co-evolve with a suite of important nuclear genes. These coadapted mitonuclear genes form some of the important reproductive barriers between species. Mitochondrial genomes can and do introgress between species in an adaptive manner, and they may co-introgress with nuclear genes important for maintaining mitonuclear compatibility. Managers should consider the relevance of mitonuclear genetic variability in conservation decision-making, including as a tool for facilitating adaptation. I propose a novel technique dubbed Conservation Mitonuclear Replacement (CmNR), which entails replacing the core metabolic machinery of a threatened species-the mitochondrial genome and key nuclear loci-with those from a closely related species or a divergent population, which may be better-adapted to climatic changes or carry a lower genetic load. The most feasible route to CmNR is to combine CRISPR-based nuclear genetic editing with mitochondrial replacement and assisted reproductive technologies. This method preserves much of an organism's phenotype and could allow populations to persist in the wild when no other suitable conservation options exist. The technique could be particularly important on mountaintops, where rising temperatures threaten an alarming number of species with almost certain extinction in the next century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik N. K. Iverson
- Department of Integrative BiologyThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
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Chen W, Xiang D, Gao S, Zhu S, Wu Z, Li Y, Li J. Whole-genome resequencing confirms the genetic effects of dams on an endangered fish Hemibagrus guttatus (Siluriformes: Bagridae): A case study in a tributary of the Pearl River. Gene 2024; 895:148000. [PMID: 37979951 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.148000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Dam construction in riverine ecosystems has fragmented natural aquatic habitats and has altered environmental conditions. As a result, damming has been demonstrated to threaten aquatic biodiversity by reducing species distribution ranges and hindering gene exchange, leading to the inability to adapt to environmental changes. Knowledge of the contemporary genetic diversity and genetic structure of fish populations that are separated by dams is vital to developing effective conservation strategies, particularly for endangered fish species. We chose the Lianjiang River, a tributary of the Pearl River, as a case study to assess the effects of dams on the genetic diversity and genetic structure of an endangered fish species, Hemibagrus guttatus, using whole-genome resequencing data from 63 fish samples. The results indicated low levels of genetic diversity, high levels of inbreeding and decreasing trend of effective population size in fragmented H. guttatus populations. In addition, there were significant genetic structure and genetic differentiation among populations, suggesting that the dams might have affected H. guttatus populations. Our findings may benefit management and conservation practices for this endangered species that is currently suffering from the effects of dam construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitao Chen
- Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510380, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Denggao Xiang
- Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Shang Gao
- Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Shuli Zhu
- Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510380, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Zhi Wu
- Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510380, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Yuefei Li
- Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510380, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Jie Li
- Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510380, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou 510380, China.
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8
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Terasaki Hart DE, Wang IJ. Genomic architecture controls multivariate adaptation to climate change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17179. [PMID: 38403891 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
As climate change advances, environmental gradients may decouple, generating novel multivariate environments that stress wild populations. A commonly invoked mechanism of evolutionary rescue is adaptive gene flow tracking climate shifts, but gene flow from populations inhabiting similar conditions on one environmental axis could cause maladaptive introgression when populations are adapted to different environmental variables that do not shift together. Genomic architecture can play an important role in determining the effectiveness and relative magnitudes of adaptive gene flow and in situ adaptation. This may have direct consequences for how species respond to climate change but is often overlooked. Here, we simulated microevolutionary responses to environmental change under scenarios defined by variation in the polygenicity, linkage, and genetic redundancy of two independent traits, one of which is adapted to a gradient that shifts under climate change. We used these simulations to examine how genomic architecture influences evolutionary outcomes under climate change. We found that climate-tracking (up-gradient) gene flow, though present in all scenarios, was strongly constrained under scenarios of lower linkage and higher polygenicity and redundancy, suggesting in situ adaptation as the predominant mechanism of evolutionary rescue under these conditions. We also found that high polygenicity caused increased maladaptation and demographic decline, a concerning result given that many climate-adapted traits may be polygenic. Finally, in scenarios with high redundancy, we observed increased adaptive capacity. This finding adds to the growing recognition of the importance of redundancy in mediating in situ adaptive capacity and suggests opportunities for better understanding the climatic vulnerability of real populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E Terasaki Hart
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia, USA
- CSIRO Environment, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian J Wang
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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9
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Patterson C, Pilakouta N. Effects of Parental Care on the Magnitude of Inbreeding Depression: A Meta-Analysis in Fishes. Am Nat 2024; 203:E50-E62. [PMID: 38306289 DOI: 10.1086/728001] [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] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
AbstractInbreeding results from matings between relatives and often leads to a reduction in the fitness of inbred offspring, known as inbreeding depression. There is substantial variation in the magnitude of inbreeding depression among and within species, driven by differences in the biotic and abiotic environment. Recent studies in three species found that parental care has the potential to buffer against inbreeding depression in the offspring, but the generality of this pattern is still unknown. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to test whether variation in the magnitude of inbreeding depression is related to among-species differences in parental care in fishes. We synthesized 536 effect sizes across 56 studies and 18 species, spanning 47 years of research. We found that inbred offspring suffer a smaller reduction in fitness in species that provide biparental care than in species with uniparental or no care. By using a comparative approach, this study provides novel insights into the capacity of parental care to moderate inbreeding depression and suggests that these effects may currently be underappreciated. Considering the potential effects of parental care on inbreeding depression can help us understand why some species avoid inbreeding, whereas others tolerate or even prefer inbreeding, which has important implications for the maintenance of genetic variation within populations.
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10
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Smeds L, Huson LSA, Ellegren H. Structural genomic variation in the inbred Scandinavian wolf population contributes to the realized genetic load but is positively affected by immigration. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13652. [PMID: 38333557 PMCID: PMC10848878 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13652] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
When populations decrease in size and may become isolated, genomic erosion by loss of diversity from genetic drift and accumulation of deleterious mutations is likely an inevitable consequence. In such cases, immigration (genetic rescue) is necessary to restore levels of genetic diversity and counteract inbreeding depression. Recent work in conservation genomics has studied these processes focusing on the genetic diversity of single nucleotide polymorphisms. In contrast, our knowledge about structural genomic variation (insertions, deletions, duplications and inversions) in endangered species is limited. We analysed whole-genome, short-read sequences from 212 wolves from the inbred Scandinavian population and from neighbouring populations in Finland and Russia, and detected >35,000 structural variants (SVs) after stringent quality and genotype frequency filtering; >26,000 high-confidence variants remained after manual curation. The majority of variants were shorter than 1 kb, with a distinct peak in the length distribution of deletions at 190 bp, corresponding to insertion events of SINE/tRNA-Lys elements. The site frequency spectrum of SVs in protein-coding regions was significantly shifted towards rare alleles compared to putatively neutral variants, consistent with purifying selection. The realized genetic load of SVs in protein-coding regions increased with inbreeding levels in the Scandinavian population, but immigration provided a genetic rescue effect by lowering the load and reintroducing ancestral alleles at loci fixed for derived SVs. Our study shows that structural variation comprises a common type of in part deleterious mutations in endangered species and that establishing gene flow is necessary to mitigate the negative consequences of loss of diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnéa Smeds
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary BiologyUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Lars S. A. Huson
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary BiologyUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Hans Ellegren
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary BiologyUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
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11
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Pearman PB, Broennimann O, Aavik T, Albayrak T, Alves PC, Aravanopoulos FA, Bertola LD, Biedrzycka A, Buzan E, Cubric-Curik V, Djan M, Fedorca A, Fuentes-Pardo AP, Fussi B, Godoy JA, Gugerli F, Hoban S, Holderegger R, Hvilsom C, Iacolina L, Kalamujic Stroil B, Klinga P, Konopiński MK, Kopatz A, Laikre L, Lopes-Fernandes M, McMahon BJ, Mergeay J, Neophytou C, Pálsson S, Paz-Vinas I, Posledovich D, Primmer CR, Raeymaekers JAM, Rinkevich B, Rolečková B, Ruņģis D, Schuerz L, Segelbacher G, Kavčič Sonnenschein K, Stefanovic M, Thurfjell H, Träger S, Tsvetkov IN, Velickovic N, Vergeer P, Vernesi C, Vilà C, Westergren M, Zachos FE, Guisan A, Bruford M. Monitoring of species' genetic diversity in Europe varies greatly and overlooks potential climate change impacts. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:267-281. [PMID: 38225425 PMCID: PMC10857941 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02260-0] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Genetic monitoring of populations currently attracts interest in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity but needs long-term planning and investments. However, genetic diversity has been largely neglected in biodiversity monitoring, and when addressed, it is treated separately, detached from other conservation issues, such as habitat alteration due to climate change. We report an accounting of efforts to monitor population genetic diversity in Europe (genetic monitoring effort, GME), the evaluation of which can help guide future capacity building and collaboration towards areas most in need of expanded monitoring. Overlaying GME with areas where the ranges of selected species of conservation interest approach current and future climate niche limits helps identify whether GME coincides with anticipated climate change effects on biodiversity. Our analysis suggests that country area, financial resources and conservation policy influence GME, high values of which only partially match species' joint patterns of limits to suitable climatic conditions. Populations at trailing climatic niche margins probably hold genetic diversity that is important for adaptation to changing climate. Our results illuminate the need in Europe for expanded investment in genetic monitoring across climate gradients occupied by focal species, a need arguably greatest in southeastern European countries. This need could be met in part by expanding the European Union's Birds and Habitats Directives to fully address the conservation and monitoring of genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B Pearman
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
- IKERBASQUE Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
- BC3 Basque Center for Climate Change, Leioa, Spain.
| | - Olivier Broennimann
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, Geopolis, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tsipe Aavik
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tamer Albayrak
- Science and Art Faculty, Department of Biology, Lab of Ornithology, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Paulo C Alves
- CIBIO-InBIO Laboratório Associado & Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- EBM, Estação Biológica de Mértola, Mértola, Portugal
| | - F A Aravanopoulos
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forest Science and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Laura D Bertola
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Elena Buzan
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
- Faculty of Environmental Protection, Velenje, Slovenia
| | | | - Mihajla Djan
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ancuta Fedorca
- Department of Wildlife, National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry 'Marin Dracea', Brasov, Romania
- Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Angela P Fuentes-Pardo
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Barbara Fussi
- Bavarian Office for Forest Genetics, Teisendorf, Germany
| | - José A Godoy
- Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Felix Gugerli
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Sean Hoban
- Center for Tree Science, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, USA
| | - Rolf Holderegger
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Sciences D-USYS, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Laura Iacolina
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, Department of Biodiversity, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Belma Kalamujic Stroil
- Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Peter Klinga
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
- Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Maciej K Konopiński
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Linda Laikre
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margarida Lopes-Fernandes
- Centre for Research in Anthropology, Lisbon, Portugal
- Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Barry John McMahon
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Joachim Mergeay
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
- Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charalambos Neophytou
- Institute of Silviculture, Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
- Department of Forest Nature Conservation, Forest Research Institute Baden-Württemberg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Snæbjörn Pálsson
- Department of Biology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Ivan Paz-Vinas
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Diana Posledovich
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Craig R Primmer
- Faculty of Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Baruch Rinkevich
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel
| | - Barbora Rolečková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dainis Ruņģis
- Genetic Resource Centre, Latvian State Forest Research Institute 'Silava', Salaspils, Latvia
| | - Laura Schuerz
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Milomir Stefanovic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Henrik Thurfjell
- Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sabrina Träger
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ivaylo N Tsvetkov
- Department of Forest Genetics, Physiology and Plantations, Forest Research Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Nevena Velickovic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Philippine Vergeer
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Cristiano Vernesi
- Forest Ecology Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Carles Vilà
- Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | | | - Frank E Zachos
- Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Antoine Guisan
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, Geopolis, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Bruford
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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12
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Hoste A, Capblancq T, Broquet T, Denoyelle L, Perrier C, Buzan E, Šprem N, Corlatti L, Crestanello B, Hauffe HC, Pellissier L, Yannic G. Projection of current and future distribution of adaptive genetic units in an alpine ungulate. Heredity (Edinb) 2024; 132:54-66. [PMID: 38082151 PMCID: PMC10798982 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00661-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate projections predict major changes in alpine environments by the end of the 21st century. To avoid climate-induced maladaptation and extinction, many animal populations will either need to move to more suitable habitats or adapt in situ to novel conditions. Since populations of a species exhibit genetic variation related to local adaptation, it is important to incorporate this variation into predictive models to help assess the ability of the species to survive climate change. Here, we evaluate how the adaptive genetic variation of a mountain ungulate-the Northern chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)-could be impacted by future global warming. Based on genotype-environment association analyses of 429 chamois using a ddRAD sequencing approach, we identified genetic variation associated with climatic gradients across the European Alps. We then delineated adaptive genetic units and projected the optimal distribution of these adaptive groups in the future. Our results suggest the presence of local adaptation to climate in Northern chamois with similar genetic adaptive responses in geographically distant but climatically similar populations. Furthermore, our results predict that future climatic changes will modify the Northern chamois adaptive landscape considerably, with various degrees of maladaptation risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Hoste
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Thibaut Capblancq
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Thomas Broquet
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR 7144, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France
| | - Laure Denoyelle
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Perrier
- UMR CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, Institut Agro, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Elena Buzan
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
- Faculty of Environmental Protection, Trg mladosti 7, 3320, Velenje, Slovenia
| | - Nikica Šprem
- Department of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Luca Corlatti
- Stelvio National Park - ERSAF Lombardia, Via De Simoni 42, 23032, Bormio, Italy
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Crestanello
- Conservation Genomics Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione E. Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 S, Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Heidi Christine Hauffe
- Conservation Genomics Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione E. Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 S, Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Loïc Pellissier
- Landscape Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zrich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Glenn Yannic
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
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13
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Zbinden ZD, Douglas MR, Chafin TK, Douglas ME. Riverscape community genomics: A comparative analytical approach to identify common drivers of spatial structure. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:6743-6765. [PMID: 36461662 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16806] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Genetic differentiation among local groups of individuals, that is, genetic β-diversity, is a key component of population persistence related to connectivity and isolation. However, most genetic investigations of natural populations focus on a single species, overlooking opportunities for multispecies conservation plans to benefit entire communities in an ecosystem. We present an approach to evaluate genetic β-diversity within and among many species and demonstrate how this riverscape community genomics approach can be applied to identify common drivers of genetic structure. Our study evaluated genetic β-diversity in 31 co-distributed native stream fishes sampled from 75 sites across the White River Basin (Ozarks, USA) using SNP genotyping (ddRAD). Despite variance among species in the degree of genetic divergence, general spatial patterns were identified corresponding to river network architecture. Most species (N = 24) were partitioned into discrete subpopulations (K = 2-7). We used partial redundancy analysis to compare species-specific genetic β-diversity across four models of genetic structure: Isolation by distance (IBD), isolation by barrier (IBB), isolation by stream hierarchy (IBH), and isolation by environment (IBE). A significant proportion of intraspecific genetic variation was explained by IBH (x̄ = 62%), with the remaining models generally redundant. We found evidence for consistent spatial modularity in that gene flow is higher within rather than between hierarchical units (i.e., catchments, watersheds, basins), supporting the generalization of the stream hierarchy model. We discuss our conclusions regarding conservation and management and identify the 8-digit hydrologic unit (HUC) as the most relevant spatial scale for managing genetic diversity across riverine networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachery D Zbinden
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Marlis R Douglas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Tyler K Chafin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael E Douglas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
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14
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Lundmark C, Nilsson J, Krook-Riekkola A. Taking Stock of Knowledge Transfer Studies: Finding Ways Forward. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 72:1146-1162. [PMID: 37688647 PMCID: PMC10570201 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-023-01877-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge transfer (KT) from academia to practice is important in many fields, but comprehensive studies on identifying the most effective forms of KT are scarce. This paper aims to provide an overview of KT theory and presents a cross-disciplinary scoping review of empirically oriented peer-reviewed articles. The review offers guidance for researchers seeking to communicate effectively with practitioners. It explores the effects of research communications, delves into the understanding and measurement of these effects, attempts to identify the most effective forms of communication, and highlights important considerations when designing KT strategies. Few studies in our sample (eight of 27) systematically measured effects of KT, and merely four studies compared multiple forms of KT. Nevertheless, most studies estimated effects from KT, regardless of the chosen form (e.g., workshops or lectures). Most studies estimated knowledge change as the primary outcome. Additionally, several studies explored altered beliefs such as increased self-efficacy. A third of the studies addressed how the knowledge was applied, ranging from sharing information to developing new habits. The identified effects were, however, both small and volatile. Our findings underscore the significance of continuity and repeated interactions to enhance the impact of KT initiatives. Furthermore, researchers need to develop a comprehensive set of tools to facilitate successful KT, considering factors such as expertise, communication skills, trust-building, and participant-centered approaches. By employing these strategies, researchers can effectively bridge the gap between academia and practice, facilitating successful KT in various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Lundmark
- Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå University of Technology, SE-971 87, Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Jens Nilsson
- Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå University of Technology, SE-971 87, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Anna Krook-Riekkola
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, SE-971 87, Luleå, Sweden
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15
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Femerling G, van Oosterhout C, Feng S, Bristol RM, Zhang G, Groombridge J, P Gilbert MT, Morales HE. Genetic Load and Adaptive Potential of a Recovered Avian Species that Narrowly Avoided Extinction. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad256. [PMID: 37995319 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
High genetic diversity is a good predictor of long-term population viability, yet some species persevere despite having low genetic diversity. Here we study the genomic erosion of the Seychelles paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvina), a species that narrowly avoided extinction after having declined to 28 individuals in the 1960s. The species recovered unassisted to over 250 individuals in the 1990s and was downlisted from Critically Endangered to Vulnerable in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List in 2020. By comparing historical, prebottleneck (130+ years old) and modern genomes, we uncovered a 10-fold loss of genetic diversity. Highly deleterious mutations were partly purged during the bottleneck, but mildly deleterious mutations accumulated. The genome shows signs of historical inbreeding during the bottleneck in the 1960s, but low levels of recent inbreeding after demographic recovery. Computer simulations suggest that the species long-term small Ne reduced the masked genetic load and made the species more resilient to inbreeding and extinction. However, the reduction in genetic diversity due to the chronically small Ne and the severe bottleneck is likely to have reduced the species adaptive potential to face environmental change, which together with a higher load, compromises its long-term population viability. Thus, small ancestral Ne offers short-term bottleneck resilience but hampers long-term adaptability to environmental shifts. In light of rapid global rates of population decline, our work shows that species can continue to suffer the effect of their decline even after recovery, highlighting the importance of considering genomic erosion and computer modeling in conservation assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgette Femerling
- Section for Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Shaohong Feng
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiashan, China
| | - Rachel M Bristol
- Mahe, Seychelles
- Division of Human and Social Sciences, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, UK
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiashan, China
| | - Jim Groombridge
- Division of Human and Social Sciences, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, UK
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Section for Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- University Museum, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hernán E Morales
- Section for Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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16
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Pinsky ML, Clark RD, Bos JT. Coral Reef Population Genomics in an Age of Global Change. Annu Rev Genet 2023; 57:87-115. [PMID: 37384733 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-022123-102748] [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] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs are both exceptionally biodiverse and threatened by climate change and other human activities. Here, we review population genomic processes in coral reef taxa and their importance for understanding responses to global change. Many taxa on coral reefs are characterized by weak genetic drift, extensive gene flow, and strong selection from complex biotic and abiotic environments, which together present a fascinating test of microevolutionary theory. Selection, gene flow, and hybridization have played and will continue to play an important role in the adaptation or extinction of coral reef taxa in the face of rapid environmental change, but research remains exceptionally limited compared to the urgent needs. Critical areas for future investigation include understanding evolutionary potential and the mechanisms of local adaptation, developing historical baselines, and building greater research capacity in the countries where most reef diversity is concentrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin L Pinsky
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA;
| | - René D Clark
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jaelyn T Bos
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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17
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Jones GM, Goldberg JF, Wilcox TM, Buckley LB, Parr CL, Linck EB, Fountain ED, Schwartz MK. Fire-driven animal evolution in the Pyrocene. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:1072-1084. [PMID: 37479555 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.06.003] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Fire regimes are a major agent of evolution in terrestrial animals. Changing fire regimes and the capacity for rapid evolution in wild animal populations suggests the potential for rapid, fire-driven adaptive animal evolution in the Pyrocene. Fire drives multiple modes of evolutionary change, including stabilizing, directional, disruptive, and fluctuating selection, and can strongly influence gene flow and genetic drift. Ongoing and future research in fire-driven animal evolution will benefit from further development of generalizable hypotheses, studies conducted in highly responsive taxa, and linking fire-adapted phenotypes to their underlying genetic basis. A better understanding of evolutionary responses to fire has the potential to positively influence conservation strategies that embrace evolutionary resilience to fire in the Pyrocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin M Jones
- USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA.
| | - Joshua F Goldberg
- USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
| | - Taylor M Wilcox
- National Genomics Center for Fish and Wildlife Conservation, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
| | - Lauren B Buckley
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Catherine L Parr
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L3 5TR, UK; Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits 2050, South Africa
| | - Ethan B Linck
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Emily D Fountain
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Michael K Schwartz
- National Genomics Center for Fish and Wildlife Conservation, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
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18
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Terletskaya NV, Khapilina ON, Turzhanova AS, Erbay M, Magzumova S, Mamirova A. Genetic Polymorphism in the Amaranthaceae Species in the Context of Stress Tolerance. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3470. [PMID: 37836210 PMCID: PMC10575142 DOI: 10.3390/plants12193470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The adaptive potential and biochemical properties of the Amaranthaceae species make them promising for introduction into agriculture and markets, particularly in arid conditions. Molecular genetic polymorphism analysis is the most powerful tool for studying plant resources; therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the polymorphisms of allelic variations in the ARF and SOD gene families, as well as the genetic diversity of six Amaranthaceae species, using retrotransposon-based fingerprinting with the multi-locus EPIC-PCR profiling approach. Additionally, the iPBS PCR amplification was employed for genome profiling, revealing variations in genetic diversity among the studied Amaranthaceae samples. The observed genetic diversity in Amaranthaceae species contributes to their enhanced tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. The knowledge about the genetic diversity of genes crucial in plant development and stress resistance can be useful for the genetic improvement of cultivated Amaranthaceae species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina V. Terletskaya
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan;
- Institute of Genetic and Physiology, Al-Farabi 93, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan;
| | - Oxana N. Khapilina
- National Center for Biotechnology, Qorghalzhyn 13, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan; (A.S.T.); (S.M.)
| | - Ainur S. Turzhanova
- National Center for Biotechnology, Qorghalzhyn 13, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan; (A.S.T.); (S.M.)
| | - Malika Erbay
- Institute of Genetic and Physiology, Al-Farabi 93, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan;
| | - Saule Magzumova
- National Center for Biotechnology, Qorghalzhyn 13, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan; (A.S.T.); (S.M.)
| | - Aigerim Mamirova
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan;
- Institute of Genetic and Physiology, Al-Farabi 93, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan;
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19
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Shu M, Moran EV. Identifying genetic variation associated with environmental gradients and drought-tolerance phenotypes in ponderosa pine. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10620. [PMID: 37841219 PMCID: PMC10576020 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10620] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
As climate changes, understanding the genetic basis of local adaptation in plants becomes an ever more pressing issue. Combining genotype-environment association (GEA) with genotype-phenotype association (GPA) analysis has an exciting potential to uncover the genetic basis of environmental responses. We use these approaches to identify genetic variants linked to local adaptation to drought in Pinus ponderosa. Over 4 million Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified using 223 individuals from across the Sierra Nevada of California. 927,740 (22.3%) SNPs were retained after filtering for proximity to genes and used in our association analyses. We found 1374 associated with five major climate variables, with the largest number (1151) associated with April 1st snowpack. We also conducted a greenhouse study with various drought-tolerance traits measured in first-year seedlings of a subset of the genotyped trees grown in the greenhouse. 796 SNPs were associated with control-condition trait values, while 1149 were associated with responsiveness of these traits to drought. While no individual SNPs were associated with both the environmental variables and the measured traits, several annotated genes were associated with both, particularly those involved in cell wall formation, biotic and abiotic stress responses, and ubiquitination. However, the functions of many of the associated genes have not yet been determined due to the lack of gene annotation information for conifers. Future studies are needed to assess the developmental roles and ecological significance of these unknown genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjun Shu
- Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaMercedCaliforniaUSA
| | - Emily V. Moran
- Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaMercedCaliforniaUSA
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20
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Kim KR, Kwak YH, Sung MS, Cho SJ, Bang IC. Population structure and genetic diversity of the endangered fish black shinner Pseudopungtungia nigra (Cyprinidae) in Korea: a wild and restoration population. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9692. [PMID: 37322262 PMCID: PMC10272174 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36569-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The black shinner Pseudopungtungia nigra Mori, 1935 is an endangered fish endemic to Korea. It lives in the narrow basin of the Geumgang River, Mangyeonggang River, and Ungcheoncheon Stream, which flow into the West Sea of Korea. One population of P. nigra in Ungcheoncheon Stream has been locally exterminated once; it is now inhabiting the upper reaches of the dam through a restoration program. Efforts to identify and understand the genetic structure of these populations are important for conservation planning. Here, we analyzed genetic diversity using 21 microsatellite markers for 9 populations. The mean number of alleles ranged from 4.4 to 8.1, mean allelic richness ranged from 4.6 to 7.8, mean observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.519 to 0.702, and mean expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.540 to 0.763. All groups had recent and historical bottlenecks (P < 0.05, M-ratio < 0.68). Three groups [YD (2019), OC and UC] had significant inbreeding index values, suggesting that they were engaged in inbreeding. We observed a moderate level of genetic differentiation between MG and the rest of the population (FST = 0.135 to 0.168, P < 0.05). The genetic structure exhibited a fitting constant K = 2, along with separation between MG and the remaining populations. With respect to genetic flow, YD (2019), OC, CG, and ND shifted to the UC population (0.263 to 0.278). The genetic flow of each population was transferred only within the population; there was no gene flow among populations, except for the Ungcheoncheon Stream population. This study shows that the Ungcheoncheon Stream population needs conservation efforts to increase its genetic diversity, and the Geumgang River populations needs a conservation plan that considers the possibility of conservation and evolution through gene exchange among the populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Rae Kim
- Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong-Ho Kwak
- Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Mu-Sung Sung
- Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | | | - In-Chul Bang
- Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Chung MY, Merilä J, Li J, Mao K, López-Pujol J, Tsumura Y, Chung MG. Neutral and adaptive genetic diversity in plants: An overview. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1116814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is a prerequisite for evolutionary change in all kinds of organisms. It is generally acknowledged that populations lacking genetic variation are unable to evolve in response to new environmental conditions (e.g., climate change) and thus may face an increased risk of extinction. Although the importance of incorporating genetic diversity into the design of conservation measures is now well understood, less attention has been paid to the distinction between neutral (NGV) and adaptive (AGV) genetic variation. In this review, we first focus on the utility of NGV by examining the ways to quantify it, reviewing applications of NGV to infer ecological and evolutionary processes, and by exploring its utility in designing conservation measures for plant populations and species. Against this background, we then summarize the ways to identify and estimate AGV and discuss its potential use in plant conservation. After comparing NGV and AGV and considering their pros and cons in a conservation context, we conclude that there is an urgent need for a better understanding of AGV and its role in climate change adaptation. To date, however, there are only a few AGV studies on non-model plant species aimed at deciphering the genetic and genomic basis of complex trait variation. Therefore, conservation researchers and practitioners should keep utilizing NGV to develop relevant strategies for rare and endangered plant species until more estimates of AGV are available.
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22
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Cristescu RH, Strickland K, Schultz AJ, Kruuk LEB, de Villiers D, Frère CH. Susceptibility to a sexually transmitted disease in a wild koala population shows heritable genetic variance but no inbreeding depression. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5455-5467. [PMID: 36043238 PMCID: PMC9826501 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The koala, one of the most iconic Australian wildlife species, is facing several concomitant threats that are driving population declines. Some threats are well known and have clear methods of prevention (e.g., habitat loss can be reduced with stronger land-clearing control), whereas others are less easily addressed. One of the major current threats to koalas is chlamydial disease, which can have major impacts on individual survival and reproduction rates and can translate into population declines. Effective management strategies for the disease in the wild are currently lacking, and, to date, we know little about the determinants of individual susceptibility to disease. Here, we investigated the genetic basis of variation in susceptibility to chlamydia using one of the most intensively studied wild koala populations. We combined data from veterinary examinations, chlamydia testing, genetic sampling and movement monitoring. Out of our sample of 342 wild koalas, 60 were found to have chlamydia. Using genotype information on 5007 SNPs to investigate the role of genetic variation in determining disease status, we found no evidence of inbreeding depression, but a heritability of 0.11 (95% CI: 0.06-0.23) for the probability that koalas had chlamydia. Heritability of susceptibility to chlamydia could be relevant for future disease management, as it suggests adaptive potential for the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romane H. Cristescu
- Global Change Ecology Research GroupUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsQueenslandAustralia
| | - Kasha Strickland
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Anthony J. Schultz
- Global Change Ecology Research GroupUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsQueenslandAustralia,Icelandic Museum of Natural History (Náttúruminjasafn Íslands)ReykjavikIceland
| | - Loeske E. B. Kruuk
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK,Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | | | - Céline H. Frère
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
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23
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Bock SL, Smaga CR, McCoy JA, Parrott BB. Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns harbour signatures of hatchling sex and past incubation temperature in a species with environmental sex determination. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5487-5505. [PMID: 35997618 PMCID: PMC9826120 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Conservation of thermally sensitive species depends on monitoring organismal and population-level responses to environmental change in real time. Epigenetic processes are increasingly recognized as key integrators of environmental conditions into developmentally plastic responses, and attendant epigenomic data sets hold potential for revealing cryptic phenotypes relevant to conservation efforts. Here, we demonstrate the utility of genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns in the face of climate change for a group of especially vulnerable species, those with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Due to their reliance on thermal cues during development to determine sexual fate, contemporary shifts in temperature are predicted to skew offspring sex ratios and ultimately destabilize sensitive populations. Using reduced-representation bisulphite sequencing, we profiled the DNA methylome in blood cells of hatchling American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), a TSD species lacking reliable markers of sexual dimorphism in early life stages. We identified 120 sex-associated differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs; FDR < 0.1) in hatchlings incubated under a range of temperatures, as well as 707 unique temperature-associated DMCs. We further developed DNAm-based models capable of predicting hatchling sex with 100% accuracy (in 20 training samples and four test samples) and past incubation temperature with a mean absolute error of 1.2°C (in four test samples) based on the methylation status of 20 and 24 loci, respectively. Though largely independent of epigenomic patterning occurring in the embryonic gonad during TSD, DNAm patterns in blood cells may serve as nonlethal markers of hatchling sex and past incubation conditions in conservation applications. These findings also raise intriguing questions regarding tissue-specific epigenomic patterning in the context of developmental plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. Bock
- Eugene P. Odum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Christopher R. Smaga
- Eugene P. Odum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jessica A. McCoy
- Department of BiologyCollege of CharlestonCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Benjamin B. Parrott
- Eugene P. Odum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
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24
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Strong bidirectional gene flow between fish lineages separated for over 100,000 years. CONSERV GENET 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01476-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRestoring levels of genetic diversity in small and declining populations is increasingly being considered in biodiversity conservation. Evidence-based genetic management requires assessment of risks and benefits of crossing populations. Because risks are challenging to assess experimentally, e.g. through multi-generational crosses, decision-support approaches utilize proxy risk factors such as time since separation of lineages. However, the paucity of empirical datasets on fitness consequences of longer separation times tends to favour crossing lineages with conservatively short separations, restricting wildlife managers’ options. Here, we assessed the genetic outcomes of interbreeding in the wild between lineages of a threatened Australian freshwater fish (Macquarie perch) separated by an estimated 119,000–385,000 years of evolution in distinct environments. Fish belonging to the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) lineage escaped from Cataract Dam—into which they were translocated in ~ 1915—into the Cataract River, where they interbred with the local Hawkesbury-Nepean Basin (HNB) lineage. Analyses of reduced-representation genomic data revealed no evidence of genetic incompatibilities during interbreeding of the two lineages in the Cataract River: assignment to genotypic clusters indicated a spectrum of hybrid types including second generation hybrids and backcrosses to both parental lineages. Thus, no adverse effects were detected from genetic mixing of populations separated by > 100,000 years. We are not advocating purposely crossing the two lineages for management purposes under present cost–benefit considerations, because there are currently sufficient intra-lineage source populations to beneficially mix. Instead, this study presents a useful calibration point: two morphologically different lineages evolved in different habitats for 119,000–385,000 years can successfully interbreed.
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25
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Handler SD, Ledee OE, Hoving CL, Zuckerberg B, Swanston CW. A menu of climate change adaptation actions for terrestrial wildlife management. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D. Handler
- USDA Forest Service and Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science 410 MacInnes Drive Houghton MI 49931 USA
| | - Olivia E. Ledee
- U.S. Geological Survey, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center 1992 Folwell Ave St. Paul MN 55116 USA
| | | | - Benjamin Zuckerberg
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin‐Madison 1620 Linden Drive Madison WI 53705 USA
| | - Christopher W. Swanston
- USDA Forest Service and Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science 410 MacInnes Drive Houghton MI 49931 USA
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26
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Wang P, Hou R, Wu Y, Zhang Z, Que P, Chen P. Genomic status of yellow-breasted bunting following recent rapid population decline. iScience 2022; 25:104501. [PMID: 35733787 PMCID: PMC9207672 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104501] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Global biodiversity is facing serious threats. However, knowledge of the genomic consequences of recent rapid population declines of wild organisms is limited. Do populations experiencing recent rapid population decline have the same genomic status as wild populations that experience long-term declines? Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola) is a critically endangered species that has been experiencing a recent rapid population decline. To answer the question, we assembled and annotated the whole genome of Yellow-breasted Bunting. Furthermore, we found high genetic diversity, low linkage disequilibrium, and low proportion of long runs of homozygosity in Yellow-breasted Bunting, suggesting that the populations following recent rapid declines have different genomic statuses from the population that experienced long-term population decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Rong Hou
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu, 610081, P. R. China
| | - Yang Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Zhengwang Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Pinjia Que
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu, 610081, P. R. China
- Sichuan Academy of Giant Panda, Chengdu 610086, P. R. China
| | - Peng Chen
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu, 610081, P. R. China
- Sichuan Academy of Giant Panda, Chengdu 610086, P. R. China
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27
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Bertola LD, Vermaat M, Lesilau F, Chege M, Tumenta PN, Sogbohossou EA, Schaap OD, Bauer H, Patterson BD, White PA, de Iongh HH, Laros JFJ, Vrieling K. Whole genome sequencing and the application of a SNP panel reveal primary evolutionary lineages and genomic variation in the lion (Panthera leo). BMC Genomics 2022; 23:321. [PMID: 35459090 PMCID: PMC9027350 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08510-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous phylogeographic studies of the lion (Panthera leo) have improved our insight into the distribution of genetic variation, as well as a revised taxonomy which now recognizes a northern (Panthera leo leo) and a southern (Panthera leo melanochaita) subspecies. However, existing whole range phylogeographic studies on lions either consist of very limited numbers of samples, or are focused on mitochondrial DNA and/or a limited set of microsatellites. The geographic extent of genetic lineages and their phylogenetic relationships remain uncertain, clouded by massive sampling gaps, sex-biased dispersal and incomplete lineage sorting. Results In this study we present results of low depth whole genome sequencing and subsequent variant calling in ten lions sampled throughout the geographic range, resulting in the discovery of >150,000 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Phylogenetic analyses revealed the same basal split between northern and southern populations, as well as four population clusters on a more local scale. Further, we designed a SNP panel, including 125 autosomal and 14 mitochondrial SNPs, which was tested on >200 lions from across their range. Results allow us to assign individuals to one of these four major clades (West & Central Africa, India, East Africa, or Southern Africa) and delineate these clades in more detail. Conclusions The results presented here, particularly the validated SNP panel, have important applications, not only for studying populations on a local geographic scale, but also for tracing samples of unknown origin for forensic purposes, and for guiding conservation management of ex situ populations. Thus, these genomic resources not only contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary history of the lion, but may also play a crucial role in conservation efforts aimed at protecting the species in its full diversity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08510-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Bertola
- City University of New York, City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY, 10031, USA. .,Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, PO Box 9518, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands. .,Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - M Vermaat
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Leiden Genome Technology Center, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - F Lesilau
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, PO Box 9518, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - M Chege
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, PO Box 9518, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - P N Tumenta
- Centre for Environment and Developmental Studies, Cameroon (CEDC), Yaounde, Cameroon.,Regional Training Centre Specialized in Agriculture, Forest and Wood, University of Dschang, BP 138, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - E A Sogbohossou
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Appliquée, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, 03 BP 294, Cotonou, Benin
| | - O D Schaap
- Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H Bauer
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Zoology, University of Oxford Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney, OX13 5QL, UK
| | - B D Patterson
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA
| | - P A White
- Center for Tropical Research, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1496, USA
| | - H H de Iongh
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, PO Box 9518, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - J F J Laros
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Leiden Genome Technology Center, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - K Vrieling
- Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
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28
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Lott MJ, Wright BR, Neaves LE, Frankham GJ, Dennison S, Eldridge MDB, Potter S, Alquezar-Planas DE, Hogg CJ, Belov K, Johnson RN. Future-proofing the koala: synergising genomic and environmental data for effective species management. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:3035-3055. [PMID: 35344635 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16446] [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: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Climatic and evolutionary processes are inextricably linked to conservation. Avoiding extinction in rapidly changing environments often depends upon a species' capacity to adapt in the face of extreme selective pressures. Here, we employed exon capture and high-throughput next-generation sequencing to investigate the mechanisms underlying population structure and adaptive genetic variation in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), an iconic Australian marsupial that represents a unique conservation challenge because it is not uniformly threatened across its range. An examination of 250 specimens representing 91 wild source locations revealed that five major genetic clusters currently exist on a continental scale. The initial divergence of these clusters appears to have been concordant with the Mid-Brunhes Transition (∼ 430-300 kya), a major climatic reorganization that increased the amplitude of Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles. While signatures of polygenic selection and environmental adaptation were detected, strong evidence for repeated, climate-associated range contractions and demographic bottleneck events suggests that geographically isolated refugia may have played a more significant role in the survival of the koala through the Pleistocene glaciation than in situ adaptation. Consequently, the conservation of genome-wide genetic variation must be aligned with the protection of core koala habitat to increase the resilience of threatened populations to accelerating anthropogenic threats. Finally, we propose that the five major genetic clusters identified in this study should be accounted for in future koala conservation efforts (e.g. guiding translocations), as existing management divisions in the states of Queensland and New South Wales do not reflect historic or contemporary population structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Lott
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, 2010, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Belinda R Wright
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, 2010, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the University of Sydney, 2006, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, 2006, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Linda E Neaves
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, 2010, New South Wales, Australia.,Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2600, Australia
| | - Greta J Frankham
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, 2010, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Siobhan Dennison
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, 2010, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark D B Eldridge
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, 2010, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sally Potter
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, 2010, New South Wales, Australia.,Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, the Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, 2600, Australia
| | - David E Alquezar-Planas
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, 2010, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the University of Sydney, 2006, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the University of Sydney, 2006, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca N Johnson
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, 2010, New South Wales, Australia.,National Museum of Natural History, District of Columbia, Washington, 20560, United States
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29
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Genetic load: genomic estimates and applications in non-model animals. Nat Rev Genet 2022; 23:492-503. [PMID: 35136196 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00448-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variation, which is generated by mutation, recombination and gene flow, can reduce the mean fitness of a population, both now and in the future. This 'genetic load' has been estimated in a wide range of animal taxa using various approaches. Advances in genome sequencing and computational techniques now enable us to estimate the genetic load in populations and individuals without direct fitness estimates. Here, we review the classic and contemporary literature of genetic load. We describe approaches to quantify the genetic load in whole-genome sequence data based on evolutionary conservation and annotations. We show that splitting the load into its two components - the realized load (or expressed load) and the masked load (or inbreeding load) - can improve our understanding of the population genetics of deleterious mutations.
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30
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Colgan TJ, Arce AN, Gill RJ, Ramos Rodrigues A, Kanteh A, Duncan EJ, Li L, Chittka L, Wurm Y. Genomic signatures of recent adaptation in a wild bumblebee. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6521030. [PMID: 35134226 PMCID: PMC8845123 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental changes threaten insect pollinators, creating risks for agriculture and ecosystem stability. Despite their importance, we know little about how wild insects respond to environmental pressures. To understand the genomic bases of adaptation in an ecologically important pollinator, we analyzed genomes of Bombus terrestris bumblebees collected across Great Britain. We reveal extensive genetic diversity within this population, and strong signatures of recent adaptation throughout the genome affecting key processes including neurobiology and wing development. We also discover unusual features of the genome, including a region containing 53 genes that lacks genetic diversity in many bee species, and a horizontal gene transfer from a Wolbachia bacteria. Overall, the genetic diversity we observe and how it is distributed throughout the genome and the population should support the resilience of this important pollinator species to ongoing and future selective pressures. Applying our approach to more species should help understand how they can differ in their adaptive potential, and to develop conservation strategies for those most at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Colgan
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Andres N Arce
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, SL5 7QN, United Kingdom.,School of Engineering, Arts, Science & Technology, University of Suffolk, Ipswich, IP3 0FS, United KingdomCurrent Address
| | - Richard J Gill
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, SL5 7QN, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Ramos Rodrigues
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, SL5 7QN, United Kingdom
| | - Abdoulie Kanteh
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth J Duncan
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Li Li
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Lars Chittka
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Yannick Wurm
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom.,Alan Turing Institute, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom
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31
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de Aquino SO, Kiwuka C, Tournebize R, Gain C, Marraccini P, Mariac C, Bethune K, Couderc M, Cubry P, Andrade AC, Lepelley M, Darracq O, Crouzillat D, Anten N, Musoli P, Vigouroux Y, de Kochko A, Manel S, François O, Poncet V. Adaptive potential of
Coffea canephora
from Uganda in response to climate change. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:1800-1819. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.16360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Kiwuka
- NARO Kampala Uganda
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis Wageningen Univ. Wageningen Netherlands
| | | | - Clément Gain
- U. Grenoble‐Alpes, TIMC‐IMAG, CNRS UMR 5525, Grenoble, France and LJK, Inria, CNRS UMR 5224 Grenoble France
| | | | - Cédric Mariac
- DIADE, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD Montpellier France
| | - Kévin Bethune
- DIADE, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD Montpellier France
| | - Marie Couderc
- DIADE, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD Montpellier France
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Niels Anten
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis Wageningen Univ. Wageningen Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Stéphanie Manel
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE‐PSL University, IRD Montpellier France
| | - Olivier François
- U. Grenoble‐Alpes, TIMC‐IMAG, CNRS UMR 5525, Grenoble, France and LJK, Inria, CNRS UMR 5224 Grenoble France
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32
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Faske TM, Agneray AC, Jahner JP, Sheta LM, Leger EA, Parchman TL. Genomic and common garden approaches yield complementary results for quantifying environmental drivers of local adaptation in rubber rabbitbrush, a foundational Great Basin shrub. Evol Appl 2021; 14:2881-2900. [PMID: 34950235 PMCID: PMC8674890 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The spatial structure of genomic and phenotypic variation across populations reflects historical and demographic processes as well as evolution via natural selection. Characterizing such variation can provide an important perspective for understanding the evolutionary consequences of changing climate and for guiding ecological restoration. While evidence for local adaptation has been traditionally evaluated using phenotypic data, modern methods for generating and analyzing landscape genomic data can directly quantify local adaptation by associating allelic variation with environmental variation. Here, we analyze both genomic and phenotypic variation of rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), a foundational shrub species of western North America. To quantify landscape genomic structure and provide perspective on patterns of local adaptation, we generated reduced representation sequencing data for 17 wild populations (222 individuals; 38,615 loci) spanning a range of environmental conditions. Population genetic analyses illustrated pronounced landscape genomic structure jointly shaped by geography and environment. Genetic-environment association (GEA) analyses using both redundancy analysis (RDA) and a machine-learning approach (Gradient Forest) indicated environmental variables (precipitation seasonality, slope, aspect, elevation, and annual precipitation) influenced spatial genomic structure and were correlated with allele frequency shifts indicative of local adaptation at a consistent set of genomic regions. We compared our GEA-based inference of local adaptation with phenotypic data collected by growing seeds from each population in a greenhouse common garden. Population differentiation in seed weight, emergence, and seedling traits was associated with environmental variables (e.g., precipitation seasonality) that were also implicated in GEA analyses, suggesting complementary conclusions about the drivers of local adaptation across different methods and data sources. Our results provide a baseline understanding of spatial genomic structure for E. nauseosa across the western Great Basin and illustrate the utility of GEA analyses for detecting the environmental causes and genetic signatures of local adaptation in a widely distributed plant species of restoration significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor M. Faske
- Department of BiologyUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology ProgramUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
| | - Alison C. Agneray
- Department of BiologyUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology ProgramUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
| | | | - Lana M. Sheta
- Department of BiologyUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
| | - Elizabeth A. Leger
- Department of BiologyUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology ProgramUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
| | - Thomas L. Parchman
- Department of BiologyUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology ProgramUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
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33
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Miao J, Farhat P, Wang W, Ruhsam M, Milne R, Yang H, Tso S, Li J, Xu J, Opgenoorth L, Miehe G, Mao K. Evolutionary history of two rare endemic conifer species from the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2021; 128:903-918. [PMID: 34472580 PMCID: PMC8577208 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Understanding the population genetics and evolutionary history of endangered species is urgently needed in an era of accelerated biodiversity loss. This knowledge is most important for regions with high endemism that are ecologically vulnerable, such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). METHODS The genetic variation of 84 juniper trees from six populations of Juniperus microsperma and one population of Juniperus erectopatens, two narrow-endemic junipers from the QTP that are sister to each other, was surveyed using RNA-sequencing data. Coalescent-based analyses were used to test speciation, migration and demographic scenarios. Furthermore, positively selected and climate-associated genes were identified, and the genetic load was assessed for both species. KEY RESULTS Analyses of 149 052 single nucleotide polymorphisms showed that the two species are well differentiated and monophyletic. They diverged around the late Pliocene, but interspecific gene flow continued until the Last Glacial Maximum. Demographic reconstruction by Stairway Plot detected two severe bottlenecks for J. microsperma but only one for J. erectopatens. The identified positively selected genes and climate-associated genes revealed habitat adaptation of the two species. Furthermore, although J. microsperma had a much wider geographical distribution than J. erectopatens, the former possesses lower genetic diversity and a higher genetic load than the latter. CONCLUSIONS This study sheds light on the evolution of two endemic juniper species from the QTP and their responses to Quaternary climate fluctuations. Our findings emphasize the importance of speciation and demographic history reconstructions in understanding the current distribution pattern and genetic diversity of threatened species in mountainous regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibin Miao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
- College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, PR China
| | - Perla Farhat
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
- CEITEC – Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Wentao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Markus Ruhsam
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK
| | - Richard Milne
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JH, UK
| | - Heng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Sonam Tso
- College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, PR China
| | - Jialiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Lars Opgenoorth
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Georg Miehe
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Kangshan Mao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
- College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, PR China
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34
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Hauser SS, Athrey G, Leberg PL. Waste not, want not: Microsatellites remain an economical and informative technology for conservation genetics. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:15800-15814. [PMID: 34824791 PMCID: PMC8601879 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparisons of microsatellites and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have found that SNPs outperform microsatellites in population genetic analyses, questioning the continued utility of microsatellites in population and landscape genetics. Yet, highly polymorphic markers may be of value in species that have reduced genetic variation. This study repeated previous analyses that used microsatellites with SNPs developed from ddRAD sequencing in the black-capped vireo source-sink system. SNPs provided greater resolution of genetic diversity, population differentiation, and migrant detection but could not reconstruct parentage relationships due to insufficient heterozygosities. The biological inferences made by both sets of markers were similar: asymmetrical gene flow from source sites to the remaining sink sites. With the landscape genetic analyses, we found different results between the two molecular markers, but associations of the top environmental features (riparian, open habitat, agriculture, and human development) with dispersal estimates were shared between marker types. Despite the higher precision of SNPs, we find that microsatellites effectively uncover population processes and patterns and are superior for parentage analyses in this species with reduced genetic diversity. This study illustrates the continued applicability and relevance of microsatellites in population genetic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha S. Hauser
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayetteLouisianaUSA
| | - Giridhar Athrey
- Faculty of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
| | - Paul L. Leberg
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayetteLouisianaUSA
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35
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Lucena-Perez M, Kleinman-Ruiz D, Marmesat E, Saveljev AP, Schmidt K, Godoy JA. Bottleneck-associated changes in the genomic landscape of genetic diversity in wild lynx populations. Evol Appl 2021; 14:2664-2679. [PMID: 34815746 PMCID: PMC8591332 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Demographic bottlenecks generally reduce genetic diversity through more intense genetic drift, but their net effect may vary along the genome due to the random nature of genetic drift and to local effects of recombination, mutation, and selection. Here, we analyzed the changes in genetic diversity following a bottleneck by comparing whole-genome diversity patterns in populations with and without severe recent documented declines of Iberian (Lynx pardinus, n = 31) and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx, n = 29). As expected, overall genomic diversity correlated negatively with bottleneck intensity and/or duration. Correlations of genetic diversity with divergence, chromosome size, gene or functional site content, GC content, or recombination were observed in nonbottlenecked populations, but were weaker in bottlenecked populations. Also, functional features under intense purifying selection and the X chromosome showed an increase in the observed density of variants, even resulting in higher θ W diversity than in nonbottlenecked populations. Increased diversity seems to be related to both a higher mutational input in those regions creating a large collection of low-frequency variants, a few of which increase in frequency during the bottleneck to the point they become detectable with our limited sample, and the reduced efficacy of purifying selection, which affects not only protein structure and function but also the regulation of gene expression. The results of this study alert to the possible reduction of fitness and adaptive potential associated with the genomic erosion in regulatory elements. Further, the detection of a gain of diversity in ultra-conserved elements can be used as a sensitive and easy-to-apply signature of genetic erosion in wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lucena-Perez
- Departamento de Ecología Integrativa Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC) Sevilla Spain
| | - Daniel Kleinman-Ruiz
- Departamento de Ecología Integrativa Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC) Sevilla Spain
- Departamento de Genética Facultad de Biología Universidad Complutense Madrid Spain
| | - Elena Marmesat
- Departamento de Ecología Integrativa Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC) Sevilla Spain
| | - Alexander P Saveljev
- Department of Animal Ecology Russian Research Institute of Game Management and Fur Farming Kirov Russia
| | - Krzysztof Schmidt
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
| | - José A Godoy
- Departamento de Ecología Integrativa Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC) Sevilla Spain
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36
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Genome-wide analysis reveals associations between climate and regional patterns of adaptive divergence and dispersal in American pikas. Heredity (Edinb) 2021; 127:443-454. [PMID: 34537819 PMCID: PMC8551249 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-021-00472-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the role of adaptation in species' responses to climate change is important for evaluating the evolutionary potential of populations and informing conservation efforts. Population genomics provides a useful approach for identifying putative signatures of selection and the underlying environmental factors or biological processes that may be involved. Here, we employed a population genomic approach within a space-for-time study design to investigate the genetic basis of local adaptation and reconstruct patterns of movement across rapidly changing environments in a thermally sensitive mammal, the American pika (Ochotona princeps). Using genotypic data at 49,074 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we analyzed patterns of genome-wide diversity, structure, and migration along three independent elevational transects located at the northern extent (Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada) and core (North Cascades National Park, Washington, USA) of the Cascades lineage. We identified 899 robust outlier SNPs within- and among-transects. Of those annotated to genes with known function, many were linked with cellular processes related to climate stress including ATP-binding, ATP citrate synthase activity, ATPase activity, hormone activity, metal ion-binding, and protein-binding. Moreover, we detected evidence for contrasting patterns of directional migration along transects across geographic regions that suggest an increased propensity for American pikas to disperse among lower elevation populations at higher latitudes where environments are generally cooler. Ultimately, our data indicate that fine-scale demographic patterns and adaptive processes may vary among populations of American pikas, providing an important context for evaluating biotic responses to climate change in this species and other alpine-adapted mammals.
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37
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Petrelli S, Buglione M, Maselli V, Troiano C, Larson G, Frantz L, Manin A, Ricca E, Baccigalupi L, Wright D, Pietri C, Fulgione D. Population genomic, olfactory, dietary, and gut microbiota analyses demonstrate the unique evolutionary trajectory of feral pigs. Mol Ecol 2021; 31:220-237. [PMID: 34676935 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Domestication is an intriguing evolutionary process. Many domestic populations are subjected to strong human-mediated selection, and when some individuals return to the wild, they are again subjected to selective forces associated with new environments. Generally, these feral populations evolve into something different from their wild predecessors and their members typically possess a combination of both wild and human selected traits. Feralisation can manifest in different forms on a spectrum from a wild to a domestic phenotype. This depends on how the rewilded domesticated populations can readapt to natural environments based on how much potential and flexibility the ancestral genome retains after its domestication signature. Whether feralisation leads to the evolution of new traits that do not exist in the wild or to convergence with wild forms, however, remains unclear. To address this question, we performed population genomic, olfactory, dietary, and gut microbiota analyses on different populations of Sus scrofa (wild boar, hybrid, feral and several domestic pig breeds). Porcine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis shows that the feral population represents a cluster distinctly separate from all others. Its members display signatures of past artificial selection, as demonstrated by values of FST in specific regions of the genome and bottleneck signature, such as the number and length of runs of homozygosity. Generalised FST values, reacquired olfactory abilities, diet, and gut microbiota variation show current responses to natural selection. Our results suggest that feral pigs are an independent evolutionary unit which can persist so long as levels of human intervention remain unchanged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Petrelli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Buglione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Maselli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Troiano
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Greger Larson
- The Palaeogenomics & Bio-Archaeology Research Network, Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laurent Frantz
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Aurelie Manin
- The Palaeogenomics & Bio-Archaeology Research Network, Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ezio Ricca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Loredana Baccigalupi
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Dominic Wright
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christian Pietri
- Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de Haute-Corse (FDCHC), Résidence Nouvelle-Corniche, St Joseph, Bastia, France
| | - Domenico Fulgione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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38
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Small localized breeding populations in a widely distributed coastal shark species. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01398-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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39
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Whole genome sequences from non-invasively collected caribou faecal samples. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-021-01235-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractConservation genomics is an important tool to manage threatened species under current biodiversity loss. Recent advances in sequencing technology mean that we can now use whole genomes to investigate demographic history, local adaptation, inbreeding, and more in unprecedented detail. However, for many rare and elusive species only non-invasive samples such as faeces can be obtained, making it difficult to take advantage of whole genome data. We present a method to extract DNA from the mucosal layer of faecal samples to re-sequence high coverage whole genomes using standard laboratory techniques. We use wild collected faecal pellets collected from caribou (Rangifer tarandus), a species undergoing declines in many parts of its range in Canada and subject to comprehensive conservation and population monitoring measures. We compare four faecal genomes to two tissue genomes sequenced in the same run. Quality metrics were similar between faecal and tissue samples with the main difference being the alignment success of raw reads to the reference genome due to differences in low quality and endogenous DNA content, affecting overall coverage. One of our faecal genomes was only re-sequenced at low coverage (1.6 ×), however the other three obtained between 7 and 15 ×, compared to 19 and 25 × for the tissue samples. We successfully re-sequenced high-quality whole genomes from faecal DNA and are one of the first to obtain genome-wide data from wildlife faecal DNA in a non-primate species. Our work represents an important advancement for non-invasive conservation genomics.
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40
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Eskew EA, Fraser D, Vonhof MJ, Pinsky ML, Maslo B. Host gene expression in wildlife disease: making sense of species-level responses. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6517-6530. [PMID: 34516689 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases are significant threats to wildlife conservation, yet the impacts of pathogen exposure and infection can vary widely among host species. As such, conservation biologists and disease ecologists have increasingly aimed to understand species-specific host susceptibility using molecular methods. In particular, comparative gene expression assays have been used to contrast the transcriptomic responses of disease-resistant and disease-susceptible hosts to pathogen exposure. This work usually assumes that the gene expression responses of disease-resistant species will reveal the activation of molecular pathways contributing to host defence. However, results often show that disease-resistant hosts undergo little gene expression change following pathogen challenge. Here, we discuss the mechanistic implications of these "null" findings and offer methodological suggestions for future molecular studies of wildlife disease. First, we highlight that muted transcriptomic responses with minimal immune system recruitment may indeed be protective for nonsusceptible hosts if they limit immunopathology and promote pathogen tolerance in systems where susceptible hosts suffer from genetic dysregulation. Second, we argue that overly narrow investigation of responses to pathogen exposure may overlook important, constitutively active molecular pathways that underlie species-specific defences. Finally, we outline alternative study designs and approaches that complement interspecific transcriptomic comparisons, including intraspecific gene expression studies and genomic methods to detect signatures of selection. Collectively, these insights will help ecologists extract maximal information from conservation-relevant transcriptomic data sets, leading to a deeper understanding of host defences and, ultimately, the implementation of successful conservation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan A Eskew
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Biology, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | - Devaughn Fraser
- Wildlife Genetics Research Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Maarten J Vonhof
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
| | - Malin L Pinsky
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Brooke Maslo
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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41
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Steele SE, Ryder OA, Maschinski J. RNA-Seq reveals adaptive genetic potential of the rare Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana) in the face of Ips bark beetle outbreaks. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01394-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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42
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Applying Population Viability Analysis to Inform Genetic Rescue That Preserves Locally Unique Genetic Variation in a Critically Endangered Mammal. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13080382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Genetic rescue can reduce the extinction risk of inbred populations, but it has the poorly understood risk of ‘genetic swamping’—the replacement of the distinctive variation of the target population. We applied population viability analysis (PVA) to identify translocation rates into the inbred lowland population of Leadbeater’s possum from an outbred highland population that would alleviate inbreeding depression and rapidly reach a target population size (N) while maximising the retention of locally unique neutral genetic variation. Using genomic kinship coefficients to model inbreeding in Vortex, we simulated genetic rescue scenarios that included gene pool mixing with genetically diverse highland possums and increased the N from 35 to 110 within ten years. The PVA predicted that the last remaining population of lowland Leadbeater’s possum will be extinct within 23 years without genetic rescue, and that the carrying capacity at its current range is insufficient to enable recovery, even with genetic rescue. Supplementation rates that rapidly increased population size resulted in higher retention (as opposed to complete loss) of local alleles through alleviation of genetic drift but reduced the frequency of locally unique alleles. Ongoing gene flow and a higher N will facilitate natural selection. Accordingly, we recommend founding a new population of lowland possums in a high-quality habitat, where population growth and natural gene exchange with highland populations are possible. We also recommend ensuring gene flow into the population through natural dispersal and/or frequent translocations of highland individuals. Genetic rescue should be implemented within an adaptive management framework, with post-translocation monitoring data incorporated into the models to make updated predictions.
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43
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Robledo-Ruiz DA, Pavlova A, Clarke RH, Magrath MJL, Quin B, Harrisson KA, Gan HM, Low GW, Sunnucks P. A novel framework for evaluating in situ breeding management strategies in endangered populations. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 22:239-253. [PMID: 34288508 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Conservation breeding management aims to reduce inbreeding and maximize the retention of genetic diversity in endangered populations. However, breeding management of wild populations is still rare, and there is a need for approaches that provide data-driven evidence of the likelihood of success of alternative in situ strategies. Here, we provide an analytical framework that uses in silico simulations to evaluate, for real wild populations, (i) the degree of population-level inbreeding avoidance, (ii) the genetic quality of mating pairs, and (iii) the potential genetic benefits of implementing two breeding management strategies. The proposed strategies aim to improve the genetic quality of breeding pairs by splitting detrimental pairs and allowing the members to re-pair in different ways. We apply the framework to the wild population of the Critically Endangered helmeted honeyeater by combining genomic data and field observations to estimate the inbreeding (i.e., pair-kinship) and genetic quality (i.e., Mate Suitability Index) of all mating pairs for seven consecutive breeding seasons. We found no evidence of population-level inbreeding avoidance and that ~91.6% of breeding pairs were detrimental to the genetic health of the population. Furthermore, the framework revealed that neither proposed management strategy would significantly improve the genetic quality or reduce inbreeding of the mating pairs in this population. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of our analytical framework for testing the efficacy of different in situ breeding management strategies and for making evidence-based management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra Pavlova
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Rohan H Clarke
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Michael J L Magrath
- Department of Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Bruce Quin
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Woori Yallock, Vic., Australia
| | - Katherine A Harrisson
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Heidelberg, Vic., Australia
| | - Han Ming Gan
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic., Australia.,Deakin Genomics Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic., Australia
| | - Gabriel W Low
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Paul Sunnucks
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
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44
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Genomic Approaches for Conservation Management in Australia under Climate Change. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11070653. [PMID: 34357024 PMCID: PMC8304512 DOI: 10.3390/life11070653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation genetics has informed threatened species management for several decades. With the advent of advanced DNA sequencing technologies in recent years, it is now possible to monitor and manage threatened populations with even greater precision. Climate change presents a number of threats and challenges, but new genomics data and analytical approaches provide opportunities to identify critical evolutionary processes of relevance to genetic management under climate change. Here, we discuss the applications of such approaches for threatened species management in Australia in the context of climate change, identifying methods of facilitating viability and resilience in the face of extreme environmental stress. Using genomic approaches, conservation management practices such as translocation, targeted gene flow, and gene-editing can now be performed with the express intention of facilitating adaptation to current and projected climate change scenarios in vulnerable species, thus reducing extinction risk and ensuring the protection of our unique biodiversity for future generations. We discuss the current barriers to implementing conservation genomic projects and the efforts being made to overcome them, including communication between researchers and managers to improve the relevance and applicability of genomic studies. We present novel approaches for facilitating adaptive capacity and accelerating natural selection in species to encourage resilience in the face of climate change.
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45
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Shum P, Palumbi SR. Testing small-scale ecological gradients and intraspecific differentiation for hundreds of kelp forest species using haplotypes from metabarcoding. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:3355-3373. [PMID: 33682164 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
DNA metabarcoding has been increasingly used to detail distributions of hundreds of species. Most analyses focus on creating molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) from complex mixtures of DNA sequences, but much less common is use of the sequence diversity within these MOTUs. Here we use the diversity of COI haplotypes within MOTUs from a California kelp forest to infer patterns of population abundance, dispersal and population history from 527 species of animals and algae from 106 samples of benthic habitats in Monterey Bay. Using haplotypes as a unit we show fine-grained differences of abundance across locations for 15 species, and marked aggregation from sample to sample for most of the common species of plants and animals. Previous analyses could not distinguish these patterns from artefacts of amplification or sequence bias. Our haplotype data also reveal strong population genetic differentiation over small spatial scales for 48 species of red algae, sponges and Bryozoa. Last, phylogenetic analysis of mismatch frequencies among haplotypes show a wide variety of demographic histories from recent expansions to long, stable population sizes. These analyses show that abundant, small-bodied marine species that are often overlooked in ecological surveys can have strikingly different patterns of ecological and genetic structure leading to population, ecological and perhaps adaptive differences between habitats. MOTU diversity data from the same sequencing efforts that generate species-level analyses can greatly increase the scope and value of metabarcoding studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Shum
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - Stephen R Palumbi
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
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46
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DeWoody JA, Harder AM, Mathur S, Willoughby JR. The long-standing significance of genetic diversity in conservation. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:4147-4154. [PMID: 34191374 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since allozymes were first used to assess genetic diversity in the 1960s and 1970s, biologists have attempted to characterize gene pools and conserve the diversity observed in domestic crops, livestock, zoos and (more recently) natural populations. Recently, some authors have claimed that the importance of genetic diversity in conservation biology has been greatly overstated. Here, we argue that a voluminous literature indicates otherwise. We address four main points made by detractors of genetic diversity's role in conservation by using published literature to firmly establish that genetic diversity is intimately tied to evolutionary fitness, and that the associated demographic consequences are of paramount importance to many conservation efforts. We think that responsible management in the Anthropocene should, whenever possible, include the conservation of ecosystems, communities, populations and individuals, and their underlying genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Andrew DeWoody
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Avril M Harder
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Samarth Mathur
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Janna R Willoughby
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
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Huang Z, Xiao Q, Yu F, Gan Y, Lu C, Peng W, Zhang Y, Luo X, Chen N, You W, Ke C. Comparative Transcriptome and DNA Methylation Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in the Pacific Abalone ( Haliotis discus hannai). Front Physiol 2021; 12:683499. [PMID: 34267674 PMCID: PMC8277243 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.683499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity is an adaptive mechanism used by organisms to cope with environmental fluctuations. Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) are large-scale farmed in the temperate area of northern China and in the warmer waters of southern China. RNA-seq and comparative transcriptomic analysis here were performed to determine if the northern and southern populations have evolved divergent plasticity and if functional differences are associated with protein synthesis and growth-related biological progress. The DNA methylation (5mC) landscape of H. discus hannai from the two populations using whole genomic bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), exhibited different epigenetic patterns. The southern population had significant genomic hypo-methylation that may have resulted from long-term acclimation to heat stress. Combining 790 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 7635 differentially methylated genes (DMGs), we found that methylation within the gene body might be important in predicting abalone gene expression. Genes related to growth, development, transduction, and apoptosis may be regulated by methylation and could explain the phenotypic divergence of H. discus hannai. Our findings not only emphasize the significant roles of adaptive plasticity in the acclimation of H. discus hannai to high temperatures but also provide a new understanding of the epigenetic mechanism underlying the phenotypic plasticity in adaptation to climate change for marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zekun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
| | - Qizhen Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
| | - Feng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
| | - Yang Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
| | - Chengkuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
| | - Wenzhu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
| | - Yifang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
| | - Xuan Luo
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
| | - Nan Chen
- College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Weiwei You
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
| | - Caihuan Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen China
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Tesfaye G, Curto M, Meulenbroek P, Englmaier GK, Tibihika PD, Alemayehu E, Getahun A, Meimberg H. Genetic diversity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) populations in Ethiopia: insights from nuclear DNA microsatellites and implications for conservation. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:113. [PMID: 34098870 PMCID: PMC8183085 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01829-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) is among the economically most important freshwater fish species in East Africa, and a major source of protein for local consumption. Human induced translocations of non-native stocks for aquaculture and fisheries have been found as a potential threat to the genetic diversity and integrity of local populations. In the present study, we investigate the genetic structure of O. niloticus from 16 waterbodies across Ethiopia using 37 microsatellite loci with SSR-GBAS techniques. RESULTS The samples are structured into three main clusters shaped either by biogeographic factors or stocking activities. High FST values (Global FST = 0.438) between populations indicate a high level of genetic differentiation and may suggest long term isolation even within the same drainage systems. Natural populations of the Omo-Turkana system and the lakes in the Southern Main Ethiopian Rift showed the highest genetic variability while low variability was found in stocked populations of lakes Hora, Hashenge and Hayq. CONCLUSIONS The results presented herein, may provide an essential basis for the management and conservation of the unique genetic resources in northern East Africa, and advance our understanding of biodiversity, phylogeny, evolution and development towards phylogenetically more accurate taxonomic classifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genanaw Tesfaye
- EIAR - National Fisheries and Other Aquatic Life Research Center, P.O. Box 64, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
| | - Manuel Curto
- Institute for Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor Mendel-Straße 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paul Meulenbroek
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management (IHG), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel Straße 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria.
- WasserCluster Lunz - biologische Station, Lunz am See, Dr. Carl Kupelwieser Prom. 5, 3293, Lunz/See, Austria.
| | - Gernot K Englmaier
- University of Graz, Institute of Biology, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Esayas Alemayehu
- EIAR - National Fisheries and Other Aquatic Life Research Center, P.O. Box 64, Sebeta, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Getahun
- Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, 1000, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Harald Meimberg
- Institute for Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor Mendel-Straße 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria
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Hervey SD, Rutledge LY, Patterson BR, Romanski MC, Vucetich JA, Belant JL, Beyer DE, Moore SA, Brzeski KE. A first genetic assessment of the newly introduced Isle Royale gray wolves (Canis lupus). CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01373-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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