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Conner LM, Goedert D, Fitzpatrick SW, Fearnley A, Gallagher EL, Peterman JD, Forgione ME, Kokosinska S, Hamilton M, Masala LA, Merola N, Rico H, Samma E, Brady SP. Population origin and heritable effects mediate road salt toxicity and thermal stress in an amphibian. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 357:141978. [PMID: 38608774 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Human impacts on wild populations are numerous and extensive, degrading habitats and causing population declines across taxa. Though these impacts are often studied individually, wild populations typically face suites of stressors acting concomitantly, compromising the fitness of individuals and populations in ways poorly understood and not easily predicted by the effects of any single stressor. Developing understanding of the effects of multiple stressors and their potential interactions remains a critical challenge in environmental biology. Here, we focus on assessing the impacts of two prominent stressors associated with anthropogenic activities that affect many organisms across the planet - elevated salinity (e.g., from road de-icing salt) and temperature (e.g. from climate change). We examined a suite of physiological traits and components of fitness across populations of wood frogs originating from ponds that differ in their proximity to roads and thus their legacy of exposure to pollution from road salt. When experimentally exposed to road salt, wood frogs showed reduced survival (especially those from ponds adjacent to roads), divergent developmental rates, and reduced longevity. Family-level effects mediated these outcomes, but high salinity generally eroded family-level variance. When combined, exposure to both temperature and salt resulted in very low survival, and this effect was strongest in roadside populations. Taken together, these results suggest that temperature is an important stressor capable of exacerbating impacts from a prominent contaminant confronting many freshwater organisms in salinized habitats. More broadly, it appears likely that toxicity might often be underestimated in the absence of multi-stressor approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Conner
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Debora Goedert
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sarah W Fitzpatrick
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Amber Fearnley
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Emma L Gallagher
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jessica D Peterman
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mia E Forgione
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sophia Kokosinska
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Malik Hamilton
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lydia A Masala
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Neil Merola
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hennesy Rico
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Eman Samma
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Steven P Brady
- Southern Connecticut State University, Biology Department, New Haven, CT, USA.
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2
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Babik W, Marszałek M, Dudek K, Antunes B, Palomar G, Zając B, Taugbøl A, Pabijan M. Limited evidence for genetic differentiation or adaptation in two amphibian species across replicated rural-urban gradients. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13700. [PMID: 38832082 PMCID: PMC11146147 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Urbanization leads to complex environmental changes and poses multiple challenges to organisms. Amphibians are highly susceptible to the effects of urbanization, with land use conversion, habitat destruction, and degradation ranked as the most significant threats. Consequently, amphibians are declining in urban areas, in both population numbers and abundance, however, the effect of urbanization on population genetic parameters remains unclear. Here, we studied the genomic response to urbanization in two widespread European species, the common toad Bufo bufo (26 localities, 480 individuals), and the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (30 localities, 516 individuals) in three geographic regions: southern and northern Poland and southern Norway. We assessed genome-wide SNP variation using RADseq (ca. 42 and 552 thousand SNPs in toads and newts, respectively) and adaptively relevant major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II genes. The results linked most of the genetic differentiation in both marker types to regional (latitudinal) effects, which also correspond to historical biogeography. Further, we did not find any association between genetic differentiation and level of urbanization at local scales for either species. However, urban smooth newts, but not toads, have lower levels of within-population genome-wide diversity, suggesting higher susceptibility to the negative effects of urbanization. A decreasing level of genetic diversity linked to increasing urbanization was also found for MHC II in smooth newts, while the relationship between MHC class I diversity and urbanization differed between geographic regions. We did not find any effects of urbanization on MHC diversity in the toad populations. Although two genetic environment association analyses of genome-wide data, LFMM and BayPass, revealed numerous (219 in B. bufo and 7040 in L. vulgaris) SNPs statistically associated with urbanization, we found a marked lack of repeatability between geographic regions, suggesting a complex and multifaceted response to natural selection elicited by life in the city.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. Babik
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Environmental SciencesJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - M. Marszałek
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Environmental SciencesJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - K. Dudek
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Environmental SciencesJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - B. Antunes
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Environmental SciencesJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - G. Palomar
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Environmental SciencesJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological SciencesComplutense University of MadridMadridSpain
| | - B. Zając
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical ResearchJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - A. Taugbøl
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchLillehammerNorway
| | - M. Pabijan
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical ResearchJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
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3
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Moran PA, Bosse M, Mariën J, Halfwerk W. Genomic footprints of (pre) colonialism: Population declines in urban and forest túngara frogs coincident with historical human activity. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17258. [PMID: 38153193 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17258] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Urbanisation is rapidly altering ecosystems, leading to profound biodiversity loss. To mitigate these effects, we need a better understanding of how urbanisation impacts dispersal and reproduction. Two contrasting population demographic models have been proposed that predict that urbanisation either promotes (facilitation model) or constrains (fragmentation model) gene flow and genetic diversity. Which of these models prevails likely depends on the strength of selection on specific phenotypic traits that influence dispersal, survival, or reproduction. Here, we a priori examined the genomic impact of urbanisation on the Neotropical túngara frog (Engystomops pustulosus), a species known to adapt its reproductive traits to urban selective pressures. Using whole-genome resequencing for multiple urban and forest populations we examined genomic diversity, population connectivity and demographic history. Contrary to both the fragmentation and facilitation models, urban populations did not exhibit substantial changes in genomic diversity or differentiation compared with forest populations, and genomic variation was best explained by geographic distance rather than environmental factors. Adopting an a posteriori approach, we additionally found both urban and forest populations to have undergone population declines. The timing of these declines appears to coincide with extensive human activity around the Panama Canal during the last few centuries rather than recent urbanisation. Our study highlights the long-lasting legacy of past anthropogenic disturbances in the genome and the importance of considering the historical context in urban evolution studies as anthropogenic effects may be extensive and impact nonurban areas on both recent and older timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Moran
- A-LIFE, Section Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mirte Bosse
- A-LIFE, Section Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Janine Mariën
- A-LIFE, Section Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Halfwerk
- A-LIFE, Section Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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4
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Fusco NA, Cosentino BJ, Gibbs JP, Allen ML, Blumenfeld AJ, Boettner GH, Carlen EJ, Collins M, Dennison C, DiGiacopo D, Drapeau Picard AP, Edmonson J, Fisher-Reid MC, Fyffe R, Gallo T, Grant A, Harbold W, Heard SB, Lafferty DJR, Lehtinen RM, Marino S, McDonald JE, Mortelliti A, Murray M, Newman A, Oswald KN, Ott-Conn C, Richardson JL, Rimbach R, Salaman P, Steele M, Stothart MR, Urban MC, Vandegrift K, Vanek JP, Vanderluit SN, Vezina L, Caccone A. Population genomic structure of a widespread, urban-dwelling mammal: The eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17230. [PMID: 38078558 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Urbanization is a persistent and widespread driver of global environmental change, potentially shaping evolutionary processes due to genetic drift and reduced gene flow in cities induced by habitat fragmentation and small population sizes. We tested this prediction for the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), a common and conspicuous forest-dwelling rodent, by obtaining 44K SNPs using reduced representation sequencing (ddRAD) for 403 individuals sampled across the species' native range in eastern North America. We observed moderate levels of genetic diversity, low levels of inbreeding, and only a modest signal of isolation-by-distance. Clustering and migration analyses show that estimated levels of migration and genetic connectivity were higher than expected across cities and forested areas, specifically within the eastern portion of the species' range dominated by urbanization, and genetic connectivity was less than expected within the western range where the landscape is fragmented by agriculture. Landscape genetic methods revealed greater gene flow among individual squirrels in forested regions, which likely provide abundant food and shelter for squirrels. Although gene flow appears to be higher in areas with more tree cover, only slight discontinuities in gene flow suggest eastern grey squirrels have maintained connected populations across urban areas in all but the most heavily fragmented agricultural landscapes. Our results suggest urbanization shapes biological evolution in wildlife species depending strongly on the composition and habitability of the landscape matrix surrounding urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Fusco
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Bradley J Cosentino
- Department of Biology, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York, USA
| | - James P Gibbs
- Department of Environmental Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Maximilian L Allen
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Alexander J Blumenfeld
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - George H Boettner
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Carlen
- Department of Biology, Washington University-St. Louis Campus, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Merri Collins
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Devin DiGiacopo
- Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Yreka, CA, USA
| | | | - Jonathan Edmonson
- Sonderegger Science Center, Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - M Caitlin Fisher-Reid
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca Fyffe
- Landmark Pest Management, ABC Humane Wildlife Control & Prevention Inc., Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA
| | - Travis Gallo
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Alannah Grant
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - William Harbold
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Monitoring and Non-Tidal Assessment Division, Annapolis, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephen B Heard
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Diana J R Lafferty
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marqeutte, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Shealyn Marino
- Department of Biology, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John E McDonald
- Department of Environmental Science, Westfield State University, Westfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Maureen Murray
- Department of Conservation and Science, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amy Newman
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Monitoring and Non-Tidal Assessment Division, Annapolis, Maryland, USA
| | - Krista N Oswald
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Caitlin Ott-Conn
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Disease Laboratory - Wildlife Division, Naubinway, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Rimbach
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Paul Salaman
- Galapagos Conservancy, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Michael Steele
- Department of Biology, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mason R Stothart
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mark C Urban
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Center of Biological Risk, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kurt Vandegrift
- Department of Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John P Vanek
- New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, New York, USA
| | | | - Lucie Vezina
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Adalgisa Caccone
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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5
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Breitbart ST, Agrawal AA, Wagner HH, Johnson MTJ. Urbanization and a green corridor do not impact genetic divergence in common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.). Sci Rep 2023; 13:20437. [PMID: 37993590 PMCID: PMC10665382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47524-8] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is altering landscapes globally at an unprecedented rate. While ecological differences between urban and rural environments often promote phenotypic divergence among populations, it is unclear to what degree these trait differences arise from genetic divergence as opposed to phenotypic plasticity. Furthermore, little is known about how specific landscape elements, such as green corridors, impact genetic divergence in urban environments. We tested the hypotheses that: (1) urbanization, and (2) proximity to an urban green corridor influence genetic divergence in common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) populations for phenotypic traits. Using seeds from 52 populations along three urban-to-rural subtransects in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, one of which followed a green corridor, we grew ~ 1000 plants in a common garden setup and measured > 20 ecologically-important traits associated with plant defense/damage, reproduction, and growth over four years. We found significant heritable variation for nine traits within common milkweed populations and weak phenotypic divergence among populations. However, neither urbanization nor an urban green corridor influenced genetic divergence in individual traits or multivariate phenotype. These findings contrast with the expanding literature demonstrating that urbanization promotes rapid evolutionary change and offer preliminary insights into the eco-evolutionary role of green corridors in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie T Breitbart
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada.
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada.
- Centre for Urban Environments, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada.
| | - Anurag A Agrawal
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, E145 Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 2126 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Helene H Wagner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Marc T J Johnson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
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6
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Frère CH, O'Reilly GD, Strickland K, Schultz A, Hohwieler K, Hanger J, de Villiers D, Cristescu R, Powell D, Sherwin W. Evaluating the genetic consequences of population subdivision as it unfolds and how to best mitigate them: A rare story about koalas. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:2174-2185. [PMID: 36756702 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The genetic consequences of the subdivision of populations are regarded as significant to long-term evolution, and research has shown that the scale and speed at which this is now occurring is critically reducing the adaptive potential of most species which inhabit human-impacted landscapes. Here, we provide a rare and, to our knowledge, the first analysis of this process while it is happening and demonstrate a method of evaluating the effect of mitigation measures such as fauna crossings. We did this by using an extensive genetic data set collected from a koala population which was intensely monitored during the construction of linear transport infrastructure which resulted in the subdivision of their population. First, we found that both allelic richness and effective population size decreased through the process of population subdivision. Second, we predicted the extent to which genetic drift could impact genetic diversity over time and showed that after only 10 generations the resulting two subdivided populations could experience between 12% and 69% loss in genetic diversity. Lastly, using forward simulations we estimated that a minimum of eight koalas would need to disperse from each side of the subdivision per generation to maintain genetic connectivity close to zero but that 16 koalas would ensure that both genetic connectivity and diversity remained unchanged. These results have important consequences for the genetic management of species in human-impacted landscapes by showing which genetic metrics are best to identify immediate loss in genetic diversity and how to evaluate the effectiveness of any mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Frère
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - G D O'Reilly
- The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - K Strickland
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - A Schultz
- Icelandic Museum of Natural History (Náttúruminjasafn Íslands), Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - K Hohwieler
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - J Hanger
- Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, Toorbul, Queensland, Australia
| | - D de Villiers
- Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, Toorbul, Queensland, Australia
| | - R Cristescu
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - D Powell
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - W Sherwin
- The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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7
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Capilla‐Lasheras P, Thompson MJ, Sánchez‐Tójar A, Haddou Y, Branston CJ, Réale D, Charmantier A, Dominoni DM. A global meta-analysis reveals higher variation in breeding phenology in urban birds than in their non-urban neighbours. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:2552-2570. [PMID: 36136999 PMCID: PMC9826320 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cities pose a major ecological challenge for wildlife worldwide. Phenotypic variation, which can result from underlying genetic variation or plasticity, is an important metric to understand eco-evolutionary responses to environmental change. Recent work suggests that urban populations might have higher levels of phenotypic variation than non-urban counterparts. This prediction, however, has never been tested across species nor over a broad geographical range. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of the avian literature to compare urban versus non-urban means and variation in phenology (i.e. lay date) and reproductive effort (i.e. clutch size, number of fledglings). First, we show that urban populations reproduce earlier and have smaller broods than non-urban conspecifics. Second, we show that urban populations have higher phenotypic variation in laying date than non-urban populations. This result arises from differences between populations within breeding seasons, conceivably due to higher landscape heterogeneity in urban habitats. These findings reveal a novel effect of urbanisation on animal life histories with potential implications for species adaptation to urban environments (which will require further investigation). The higher variation in phenology in birds subjected to urban disturbance could result from plastic responses to a heterogeneous environment, or from higher genetic variation in phenology, possibly linked to higher evolutionary potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Capilla‐Lasheras
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Megan J. Thompson
- Département des Sciences BiologiquesUniversité du Québec à MontréalMontrealCanada,Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et EvolutiveUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRDMontpellierFrance
| | | | - Yacob Haddou
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Claire J. Branston
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Denis Réale
- Département des Sciences BiologiquesUniversité du Québec à MontréalMontrealCanada
| | - Anne Charmantier
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et EvolutiveUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRDMontpellierFrance
| | - Davide M. Dominoni
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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8
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Hubbs NW, Hurt CR, Niedzwiecki J, Leckie B, Withers D. Conservation genomics of urban populations of Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0260178. [PMID: 35771804 PMCID: PMC9246143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In Tennessee, populations of the state endangered Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) are in decline as their distribution lies mostly within rapidly developing areas in the Nashville Basin. Information regarding the partitioning of genetic variation among populations of A. barbouri and the taxonomic status of these populations relative to northern populations and their congener, the Small-mouthed Salamander (A. texanum), have important implications for management and conservation of this species. Here we combined mitochondrial sequencing and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data generated using Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) to investigate patterns of genetic variation within Tennessee populations of A. barbouri, to assess their relationship to populations in Kentucky, and to examine their phylogenetic relationship to the closely related A. texanum. Results from phylogenetic reconstructions reveal a complex history of Tennessee A. barbouri populations with regards to northern populations, unisexual A. barbouri, and A. texanum. Patterns of mitochondrial sequence variation suggest that A. barbouri may have originated within Tennessee and expanded north multiple times into Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on genome-wide SNP data contradict results based on mitochondrial DNA and correspond to geographic and taxonomic boundaries. Variation in allele frequencies at SNP genotypes, as identified by multivariate analyses and Bayesian assignment tests, identified three evolutionary significant units (ESUs) for A. barbouri within Tennessee. Collectively, these results emphasize the need for prioritizing conservation needs for Tennessee populations of A. barbouri to ensure the long-term persistence of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Wade Hubbs
- Department of Biology, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Carla R. Hurt
- Department of Biology, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Brian Leckie
- Department of Biology, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN, United States of America
| | - David Withers
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Nashville, TN, United States of America
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9
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Schmidt C, Garroway CJ. The population genetics of urban and rural amphibians in North America. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:3918-3929. [PMID: 34053153 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human land transformation is one of the leading causes of vertebrate population declines. These declines are thought to be partly due to decreased connectivity and habitat loss reducing animal population sizes in disturbed habitats. With time, this can lead to declines in effective population size and genetic diversity which restrict the ability of wildlife to efficiently cope with environmental change through genetic adaptation. However, it is not well understood whether these effects generally hold across taxa. We address this question by repurposing and synthesizing raw microsatellite data from online repositories for 19 amphibian species sampled at 554 georeferenced sites in North America. For each site, we estimated gene diversity, allelic richness, effective population size, and population differentiation. Using binary urban-rural census designations, and continuous measures of human population density, the Human Footprint Index, and impervious surface cover, we tested for generalizable effects of human land use on amphibian genetic diversity. We found minimal evidence, either positive or negative, for relationships between genetic metrics and urbanization. Together with previous work on focal species that also found varying effects of urbanization on genetic composition, it seems likely that the consequences of urbanization are not easily generalizable within or across amphibian species. Questions about the genetic consequences of urbanization for amphibians should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. This contrasts with general negative effects of urbanization in mammals and consistent, but species-specific, positive and negative effects in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Schmidt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Colin J Garroway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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10
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Design of Protected Area by Tracking and Excluding the Effects of Climate and Landscape Change: A Case Study Using Neurergus derjugini. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13105645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to use the applications of Ensemble Species Distribution Modelling (eSDM), Geographical Information Systems (GISs), and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) for the design of a protected area (PA) for the critically endangered yellow-spotted mountain newt, Neurergus derjugini, by tracking and excluding the effects of climate and landscape changes in western Iran and northeastern Iraq. Potential recent and future distributions (2050 and 2070) were reconstructed by eSDM using eight algorithms with MRI-CGCM3 and CCSM4 models. The GIS-based MCDA siting procedure was followed inside habitats with high eSDM suitability by eliminating the main roads, cities, high village density, dams, poor vegetation, low stream density, agricultural lands and high ridge density. Then, within the remaining relevant areas, 10 polygons were created as “nominations” for PAs (NPAs). Finally, for 10 different NPAs, the suitability score was ranked based on ratings and weights (analytical hierarchy process) of the number of newt localities, NPA connectivity, NPA shape, NPA habitat suitability in 2070, NPA size, genetic diversity, village density and distance to nearest PAs, cities, and main roads. This research could serve as a modern realistic approach for environmental management to plan conservation areas using a cost-effective and affordable technique.
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Tassone EE, Miles LS, Dyer RJ, Rosenberg MS, Cowling RM, Verrelli BC. Evolutionary stability, landscape heterogeneity, and human land-usage shape population genetic connectivity in the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot. Evol Appl 2021; 14:1109-1123. [PMID: 33897824 PMCID: PMC8061270 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13185] [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: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As human-induced change eliminates natural habitats, it impacts genetic diversity and population connectivity for local biodiversity. The South African Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is the most diverse extratropical area for plant biodiversity, and much of its habitat is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There has long been great interest in explaining the underlying factors driving this unique diversity, especially as much of the CFR is endangered by urbanization and other anthropogenic activity. Here, we use a population and landscape genetic analysis of SNP data from the CFR endemic plant Leucadendron salignum or "common sunshine conebush" as a model to address the evolutionary and environmental factors shaping the vast CFR diversity. We found that high population structure, along with relatively deeper and older genealogies, is characteristic of the southwestern CFR, whereas low population structure and more recent lineage coalescence depict the eastern CFR. Population network analyses show genetic connectivity is facilitated in areas of lower elevation and higher seasonal precipitation. These population genetic signatures corroborate CFR species-level patterns consistent with high Pleistocene biome stability and landscape heterogeneity in the southwest, but with coincident instability in the east. Finally, we also find evidence of human land-usage as a significant gene flow barrier, especially in severely threatened lowlands where genetic connectivity has been historically the highest. These results help identify areas where conservation plans can prioritize protecting high genetic diversity threatened by contemporary human activities within this unique cultural UNESCO site.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsay S. Miles
- Center for the Study of Biological ComplexityVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Rodney J. Dyer
- Center for Environmental StudiesVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Michael S. Rosenberg
- School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
- Center for the Study of Biological ComplexityVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Richard M. Cowling
- African Centre for Coastal PalaeoscienceBotany DepartmentNelson Mandela UniversityPort ElizabethSouth Africa
| | - Brian C. Verrelli
- School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
- Center for the Study of Biological ComplexityVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
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Yannic G, Helfer V, Sermier R, Schmidt BR, Fumagalli L. Fine scale genetic structure in fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) along a rural-to-urban gradient. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Richardson JL, Michaelides S, Combs M, Djan M, Bisch L, Barrett K, Silveira G, Butler J, Aye TT, Munshi‐South J, DiMatteo M, Brown C, McGreevy TJ. Dispersal ability predicts spatial genetic structure in native mammals persisting across an urbanization gradient. Evol Appl 2021; 14:163-177. [PMID: 33519963 PMCID: PMC7819555 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
As the rate of urbanization continues to increase globally, a growing body of research is emerging that investigates how urbanization shapes the movement-and consequent gene flow-of species in cities. Of particular interest are native species that persist in cities, either as small relict populations or as larger populations of synanthropic species that thrive alongside humans in new urban environments. In this study, we used genomic sequence data (SNPs) and spatially explicit individual-based analyses to directly compare the genetic structure and patterns of gene flow in two small mammals with different dispersal abilities that occupy the same urbanized landscape to evaluate how mobility impacts genetic connectivity. We collected 215 white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and 380 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) across an urban-to-rural gradient within the Providence, Rhode Island (U.S.A.) metropolitan area (population =1,600,000 people). We found that mice and bats exhibit clear differences in their spatial genetic structure that are consistent with their dispersal abilities, with urbanization having a stronger effect on Peromyscus mice. There were sharp breaks in the genetic structure of mice within the Providence urban core, as well as reduced rates of migration and an increase in inbreeding with more urbanization. In contrast, bats showed very weak genetic structuring across the entire study area, suggesting a near-panmictic gene pool likely due to the ability to disperse by flight. Genetic diversity remained stable for both species across the study region. Mice also exhibited a stronger reduction in gene flow between island and mainland populations than bats. This study represents one of the first to directly compare multiple species within the same urban-to-rural landscape gradient, an important gap to fill for urban ecology and evolution. Moreover, here we document the impacts of dispersal capacity on connectivity for native species that have persisted as the urban landscape matrix expands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sozos Michaelides
- Department of Natural Resources ScienceUniversity of Rhode IslandKingstonRIUSA
| | - Matthew Combs
- Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology DepartmentColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Mihajla Djan
- Department of Natural Resources ScienceUniversity of Rhode IslandKingstonRIUSA
- Department of Biology and EcologyFaculty of SciencesUniversity of Novi SadNovi SadSerbia
| | - Lianne Bisch
- Department of BiologyProvidence CollegeProvidenceRIUSA
| | - Kerry Barrett
- Department of BiologyProvidence CollegeProvidenceRIUSA
| | | | - Justin Butler
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RichmondRichmondVAUSA
| | - Than Thar Aye
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RichmondRichmondVAUSA
| | | | - Michael DiMatteo
- State Health LaboratoryRhode Island Department of HealthProvidenceRIUSA
| | - Charles Brown
- Division of Fish & WildlifeRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementWest KingstonRIUSA
| | - Thomas J. McGreevy
- Department of Natural Resources ScienceUniversity of Rhode IslandKingstonRIUSA
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Miles LS, Carlen EJ, Winchell KM, Johnson MTJ. Urban evolution comes into its own: Emerging themes and future directions of a burgeoning field. Evol Appl 2021; 14:3-11. [PMID: 33519952 PMCID: PMC7819569 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Urbanization has recently emerged as an exciting new direction for evolutionary research founded on our growing understanding of rapid evolution paired with the expansion of novel urban habitats. Urbanization can influence adaptive and nonadaptive evolution in urban-dwelling species, but generalized patterns and the predictability of urban evolutionary responses within populations remain unclear. This editorial introduces the special feature "Evolution in Urban Environments" and addresses four major emerging themes, which include: (a) adaptive evolution and phenotypic plasticity via physiological responses to urban climate, (b) adaptive evolution via phenotype-environment relationships in urban habitats, (c) population connectivity and genetic drift in urban landscapes, and (d) human-wildlife interactions in urban spaces. Here, we present the 16 articles (12 empirical, 3 review, 1 capstone) within this issue and how they represent each of these four emerging themes in urban evolutionary biology. Finally, we discuss how these articles address previous questions and have now raised new ones, highlighting important new directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay S. Miles
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Toronto MississaugaMississaugaONCanada
- Centre for Urban EnvironmentsUniversity of Toronto MississaugaMississaugaONCanada
| | | | | | - Marc T. J. Johnson
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Toronto MississaugaMississaugaONCanada
- Centre for Urban EnvironmentsUniversity of Toronto MississaugaMississaugaONCanada
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