1
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Búci M, Krajmerová D, Tám B, Kaňuch P, Klinga P. Airports for the genetic rescue of a former agricultural pest. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17540. [PMID: 39080479 PMCID: PMC11289432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68679-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The intensification of agricultural practices and urbanisation are widespread causes of biodiversity loss. However, the role of artificial habitats in genetic rescue is an aspect that is not well understood. Implementing genetic rescue measures to improve gene flow and maintain a viable population of keystone species is a crucial prerequisite for promoting diverse and resilient ecosystems. Landscape fragmentation and modern agricultural methods have caused the decline and the isolation of the remnant colonies of the endangered European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) throughout its range. However, the artificial habitat, such as airport fields with regular grass mowing, provides suitable conditions for this grassland specialist. We measured home range size and genetic variation of seven souslik colonies in western Slovakia. Based on the 6904 ddRAD SNPs, we found significantly higher individual heterozygosity in colonies on airports compared to colonies on pastures. This indicates a potential for higher fitness of individuals from airport colonies, which can serve as a source for evidence-based translocations. Such an intervention can preserve the genetic diversity of small and isolated populations in the region. We emphasize that conservation management strategies would be strengthened including a specific focus on human-made grassland habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matúš Búci
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovakia
- Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Diana Krajmerová
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | | | - Peter Kaňuch
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Peter Klinga
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia.
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
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2
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Fu S, Chen X, Wang K, Chen J, Zhou J, Yi W, Lyu M, Ye Z, Bu W. Shared phylogeographic patterns and environmental responses of co-distributed soybean pests: Insights from comparative phylogeographic studies of Riptortus pedestris and Riptortus linearis in the subtropics of East Asia. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 195:108055. [PMID: 38485106 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108055] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Comparative phylogeographic studies of closely related species sharing co-distribution areas can elucidate the role of shared historical factors and environmental changes in shaping their phylogeographic pattern. The bean bugs, Riptortus pedestris and Riptortus linearis, which both inhabit subtropical regions in East Asia, are recognized as highly destructive soybean pests. Many previous studies have investigated the biological characteristics, pheromones, chemicals and control mechanisms of these two pests, but few studies have explored their phylogeographic patterns and underlying factors. In this study, we generated a double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) dataset to investigate phylogeographic patterns and construct ecological niche models (ENM) for both Riptortus species. Our findings revealed similar niche occupancies and population genetic structures between the two species, with each comprising two phylogeographic lineages (i.e., the mainland China and the Indochina Peninsula clades) that diverged approximately 0.1 and 0.3 million years ago, respectively. This divergence likely resulted from the combined effects of temperatures variation and geographical barriers in the mountainous regions of Southwest China. Further demographic history and ENM analyses suggested that both pests underwent rapid expansion prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Furthermore, ENM predicts a northward shift of both pests into new soybean-producing regions due to global warming. Our study indicated that co-distribution soybean pests with overlapping ecological niches and similar life histories in subtropical regions of East Asia exhibit congruent phylogeographic and demographic patterns in response to shared historical biogeographic drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siying Fu
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xin Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Cangzhou Normal University, Cangzhou, China(2)
| | - Kaibin Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Juhong Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jiayue Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Wenbo Yi
- Department of Biology, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou, Shanxi, China(2)
| | - Minhua Lyu
- Nanchang University, Affiliated Hospital 1, Jiangxi, China(2)
| | - Zhen Ye
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Wenjun Bu
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
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3
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Al Hikmani H, van Oosterhout C, Birley T, Labisko J, Jackson HA, Spalton A, Tollington S, Groombridge JJ. Can genetic rescue help save Arabia's last big cat? Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13701. [PMID: 38784837 PMCID: PMC11113348 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity underpins evolutionary potential that is essential for the long-term viability of wildlife populations. Captive populations harbor genetic diversity potentially lost in the wild, which could be valuable for release programs and genetic rescue. The Critically Endangered Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) has disappeared from most of its former range across the Arabian Peninsula, with fewer than 120 individuals left in the wild, and an additional 64 leopards in captivity. We (i) examine genetic diversity in the wild and captive populations to identify global patterns of genetic diversity and structure; (ii) estimate the size of the remaining leopard population across the Dhofar mountains of Oman using spatially explicit capture-recapture models on DNA and camera trap data, and (iii) explore the impact of genetic rescue using three complementary computer modeling approaches. We estimated a population size of 51 (95% CI 32-79) in the Dhofar mountains and found that 8 out of 25 microsatellite alleles present in eight loci in captive leopards were undetected in the wild. This includes two alleles present only in captive founders known to have been wild-sourced from Yemen, which suggests that this captive population represents an important source for genetic rescue. We then assessed the benefits of reintroducing novel genetic diversity into the wild population as well as the risks of elevating the genetic load through the release of captive-bred individuals. Simulations indicate that genetic rescue can improve the long-term viability of the wild population by reducing its genetic load and realized load. The model also suggests that the genetic load has been partly purged in the captive population, potentially making it a valuable source population for genetic rescue. However, the greater loss of its genetic diversity could exacerbate genomic erosion of the wild population during a rescue program, and these risks and benefits should be carefully evaluated. An important next step in the recovery of the Arabian leopard is to empirically validate these conclusions, implement and monitor a genomics-informed management plan, and optimize a strategy for genetic rescue as a tool to recover Arabia's last big cat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Al Hikmani
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
- Office for Conservation of the EnvironmentDiwan of Royal CourtMuscatOman
- The Royal Commission for AlUlaAlUlaSaudi Arabia
| | - Cock van Oosterhout
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East Anglia, Norwich Research ParkNorwichUK
| | - Thomas Birley
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East Anglia, Norwich Research ParkNorwichUK
| | - Jim Labisko
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and EnvironmentUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Island Biodiversity and Conservation CentreUniversity of SeychellesVictoriaSeychelles
- Department of Life SciencesThe Natural History MuseumLondonUK
| | - Hazel A. Jackson
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
| | | | - Simon Tollington
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental SciencesNottingham Trent UniversityNottinghamUK
| | - Jim J. Groombridge
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Division of Human and Social SciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyKentUK
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4
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Bourgeois Y, Warren BH, Augiron S. The burden of anthropogenic changes and mutation load in a critically endangered harrier from the Reunion biodiversity hotspot, Circus maillardi. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17300. [PMID: 38372440 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17300] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic impact is causing the decline of a large proportion of species worldwide and reduces their genetic diversity. Island species typically have smaller ranges than continental species. As a consequence, island species are particularly liable to undergo population bottlenecks, giving rise to conservation challenges such as inbreeding and unmasking of deleterious genetic load. Such challenges call for more detailed assessments of the genetic make-up of threatened island populations. The Mascarene islands (Indian Ocean) present many prime examples, being unusual in having been pristine until first human arrival ~400 years ago, following which anthropogenic pressure was unusually intense. A threatened harrier (Circus maillardi) endemic to the westernmost island of the archipelago is a good example of the challenges faced by species that have declined to small population size following intense anthropogenic pressure. In this study, we use an extensive set of population genomic tools to quantify variation at near-neutral and coding loci, in order to test the historical impact of human activity on this species, and evaluate the species' (mal)adaptive potential. We observed low but significant genetic differentiation between populations on the West and North-East sides of the island, echoing observations in other endemic species. Inbreeding was significant, with a substantial fraction of samples being first or second-degree relatives. Historical effective population sizes have declined from ~3000 to 300 individuals in the past 1000 years, with a more recent drop ~100 years ago consistent with human activity. Based on our simulations and comparisons with a close relative (Circus melanoleucos), this demographic history may have allowed purging of the most deleterious variants but is unlikely to have allowed the purging of mildly deleterious variants. Our study shows how using relatively affordable methods can reveal the massive impact that human activity may have on the genetic diversity and adaptive potential of island populations, and calls for urgent action to closely monitor the reproductive success of such endemic populations, in association with genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Bourgeois
- DIADE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Ben H Warren
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, UA, Paris, France
| | - Steve Augiron
- Société d'Études Ornithologiques de La Réunion, Saint-André, France
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5
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Schmidt TL, Thia JA, Hoffmann AA. How Can Genomics Help or Hinder Wildlife Conservation? Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2024; 12:45-68. [PMID: 37788416 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-021022-051810] [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: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Genomic data are becoming increasingly affordable and easy to collect, and new tools for their analysis are appearing rapidly. Conservation biologists are interested in using this information to assist in management and planning but are typically limited financially and by the lack of genomic resources available for non-model taxa. It is therefore important to be aware of the pitfalls as well as the benefits of applying genomic approaches. Here, we highlight recent methods aimed at standardizing population assessments of genetic variation, inbreeding, and forms of genetic load and methods that help identify past and ongoing patterns of genetic interchange between populations, including those subjected to recent disturbance. We emphasize challenges in applying some of these methods and the need for adequate bioinformatic support. We also consider the promises and challenges of applying genomic approaches to understand adaptive changes in natural populations to predict their future adaptive capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Schmidt
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Joshua A Thia
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Ary A Hoffmann
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;
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6
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Cui R, Wu J, Yan K, Luo S, Hu Y, Feng W, Lu B, Wang J. Phased genome assemblies reveal haplotype-specific genetic load in the critically endangered Chinese Bahaba (Teleostei, Sciaenidae). Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17250. [PMID: 38179694 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
While haplotype-specific genetic load shapes the evolutionary trajectory of natural and captive populations, mixed-haplotype assembly and genotyping hindered its characterization in diploids. Herein, we produced two phased genome assemblies of the critically endangered fish Chinese Bahaba (Bahaba taipingensis, Sciaenidae, Teleostei) and resequenced 20 whole genomes to quantify population genetic load at a haplotype level. We identified frame-shifting variants as the most deleterious type, followed by mutations in the 5'-UTR, 3'-UTR and missense mutations at conserved amino acids. Phased haplotypes revealed gene deletions and high-impact deleterious variants. We estimated ~1.12% of genes missing or interrupted per haplotype, with a significant overlap of disrupted genes (30.35%) between haplotype sets. Relative proportions of deleterious variant categories differed significantly between haplotypes. Simulations suggested that purifying selection struggled to purge slightly deleterious genetic load in captive breeding compared to genotyping interventions, and that higher inter-haplotypic variance of genetic load predicted more efficient purging by artificial selection. Combining the knowledge of haplotype-resolved genetic load with predictive modelling will be immensely useful for understanding the evolution of deleterious variants and guiding conservation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongfeng Cui
- School of Ecology & State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
| | - Jinxian Wu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and Biomonitoring, Guangdong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Aquaculture Breeding Development and Innovation, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kuoqiu Yan
- Huangjing Marine Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Huizhou, China
| | - Sujun Luo
- Dongguan Forestry Affairs Center, Dongguan, China
| | - Yuting Hu
- Dongguan Forestry Affairs Center, Dongguan, China
| | - Wei Feng
- Dongguan Forestry Affairs Center, Dongguan, China
| | - Bingqian Lu
- Dongguan Forestry Affairs Center, Dongguan, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and Biomonitoring, Guangdong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Aquaculture Breeding Development and Innovation, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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7
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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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8
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van Oosterhout C. AI-informed conservation genomics. Heredity (Edinb) 2024; 132:1-4. [PMID: 38151537 PMCID: PMC10798949 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00666-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cock van Oosterhout
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
- Conservation Genetics Specialist Group, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Gland, Switzerland.
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9
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Pečnerová P, Lord E, Garcia-Erill G, Hanghøj K, Rasmussen MS, Meisner J, Liu X, van der Valk T, Santander CG, Quinn L, Lin L, Liu S, Carøe C, Dalerum F, Götherström A, Måsviken J, Vartanyan S, Raundrup K, Al-Chaer A, Rasmussen L, Hvilsom C, Heide-Jørgensen MP, Sinding MHS, Aastrup P, Van Coeverden de Groot PJ, Schmidt NM, Albrechtsen A, Dalén L, Heller R, Moltke I, Siegismund HR. Population genomics of the muskox' resilience in the near absence of genetic variation. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17205. [PMID: 37971141 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17205] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Genomic studies of species threatened by extinction are providing crucial information about evolutionary mechanisms and genetic consequences of population declines and bottlenecks. However, to understand how species avoid the extinction vortex, insights can be drawn by studying species that thrive despite past declines. Here, we studied the population genomics of the muskox (Ovibos moschatus), an Ice Age relict that was at the brink of extinction for thousands of years at the end of the Pleistocene yet appears to be thriving today. We analysed 108 whole genomes, including present-day individuals representing the current native range of both muskox subspecies, the white-faced and the barren-ground muskox (O. moschatus wardi and O. moschatus moschatus) and a ~21,000-year-old ancient individual from Siberia. We found that the muskox' demographic history was profoundly shaped by past climate changes and post-glacial re-colonizations. In particular, the white-faced muskox has the lowest genome-wide heterozygosity recorded in an ungulate. Yet, there is no evidence of inbreeding depression in native muskox populations. We hypothesize that this can be explained by the effect of long-term gradual population declines that allowed for purging of strongly deleterious mutations. This study provides insights into how species with a history of population bottlenecks, small population sizes and low genetic diversity survive against all odds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pečnerová
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Edana Lord
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Genís Garcia-Erill
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Hanghøj
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malthe Sebro Rasmussen
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Meisner
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tom van der Valk
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cindy G Santander
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Liam Quinn
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark
| | - Long Lin
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shanlin Liu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Carøe
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Biodiversity Research Institute (CSIC-UO-PA), Mieres, Spain
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Anders Götherström
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johannes Måsviken
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sergey Vartanyan
- North-East Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Institute N.A.N.A. Shilo, Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan, Russia
| | | | - Amal Al-Chaer
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Linett Rasmussen
- Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel-Holger S Sinding
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Peter Aastrup
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Niels Martin Schmidt
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Albrechtsen
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rasmus Heller
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Moltke
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Redlef Siegismund
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Sánchez-Murrieta E, Macías-Duarte A, Castillo-Gámez RA, Varela-Romero A, Montoya AB, Weaver JH, Pacheco-Hoyos NG. Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail ( Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16585. [PMID: 38089905 PMCID: PMC10712304 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Restricted movement among populations decreases genetic variation, which may be the case for the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae), a small game bird that rarely flies long distances. In the northern limit of its distribution, it inhabits oak-juniper-pine savannas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Understanding genetic structure can provide information about the demographic history of populations that is also important for conservation and management. The objective of this study was to determine patterns of genetic variation in Montezuma quail populations using nine DNA microsatellite loci. We genotyped 119 individuals from four study populations: Arizona, Western New Mexico, Central New Mexico, and West Texas. Compared to other quail, heterozygosity was low (H ¯ 0 = 0.22 ± 0.04) and there were fewer alleles per locus (Ā = 2.41 ± 0.27). The global population genetic differentiation index RST = 0.045 suggests little genetic structure, even though a Bayesian allocation analysis suggested three genetic clusters (K = 3). This analysis also suggested admixture between clusters. Nevertheless, an isolation-by-distance analysis indicates a strong correlation (r = 0.937) and moderate evidence (P = 0.032) of non-independence between geographical and genetic distances. Climate change projections indicate an increase in aridity for this region, especially in temperate ecosystems where the species occurs. In this scenario, corridors between the populations may disappear, thus causing their complete isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto Macías-Duarte
- Cuerpo Académico de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Estatal de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Reyna A. Castillo-Gámez
- Departamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Varela-Romero
- Departamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Angel B. Montoya
- Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - James H. Weaver
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Fort Davis, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nohelia G. Pacheco-Hoyos
- Departamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
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11
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Kyriazis CC, Robinson JA, Lohmueller KE. Using Computational Simulations to Model Deleterious Variation and Genetic Load in Natural Populations. Am Nat 2023; 202:737-752. [PMID: 38033186 PMCID: PMC10897732 DOI: 10.1086/726736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
AbstractDeleterious genetic variation is abundant in wild populations, and understanding the ecological and conservation implications of such variation is an area of active research. Genomic methods are increasingly used to quantify the impacts of deleterious variation in natural populations; however, these approaches remain limited by an inability to accurately predict the selective and dominance effects of mutations. Computational simulations of deleterious variation offer a complementary tool that can help overcome these limitations, although such approaches have yet to be widely employed. In this perspective article, we aim to encourage ecological and conservation genomics researchers to adopt greater use of computational simulations to aid in deepening our understanding of deleterious variation in natural populations. We first provide an overview of the components of a simulation of deleterious variation, describing the key parameters involved in such models. Next, we discuss several approaches for validating simulation models. Finally, we compare and validate several recently proposed deleterious mutation models, demonstrating that models based on estimates of selection parameters from experimental systems are biased toward highly deleterious mutations. We describe a new model that is supported by multiple orthogonal lines of evidence and provide example scripts for implementing this model (https://github.com/ckyriazis/simulations_review).
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12
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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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13
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Volkova NA, Romanov MN, Abdelmanova AS, Larionova PV, German NY, Vetokh AN, Shakhin AV, Volkova LA, Anshakov DV, Fisinin VI, Narushin VG, Griffin DK, Sölkner J, Brem G, McEwan JC, Brauning R, Zinovieva NA. Genotyping-by-Sequencing Strategy for Integrating Genomic Structure, Diversity and Performance of Various Japanese Quail ( Coturnix japonica) Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3439. [PMID: 38003057 PMCID: PMC10668688 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223439] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Traces of long-term artificial selection can be detected in genomes of domesticated birds via whole-genome screening using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. This study thus examined putative genomic regions under selection that are relevant to the development history, divergence and phylogeny among Japanese quails of various breeds and utility types. We sampled 99 birds from eight breeds (11% of the global gene pool) of egg (Japanese, English White, English Black, Tuxedo and Manchurian Golden), meat (Texas White and Pharaoh) and dual-purpose (Estonian) types. The genotyping-by-sequencing analysis was performed for the first time in domestic quails, providing 62,935 SNPs. Using principal component analysis, Neighbor-Net and Admixture algorithms, the studied breeds were characterized according to their genomic architecture, ancestry and direction of selective breeding. Japanese and Pharaoh breeds had the smallest number and length of homozygous segments indicating a lower selective pressure. Tuxedo and Texas White breeds showed the highest values of these indicators and genomic inbreeding suggesting a greater homozygosity. We revealed evidence for the integration of genomic and performance data, and our findings are applicable for elucidating the history of creation and genomic variability in quail breeds that, in turn, will be useful for future breeding improvement strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A. Volkova
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, Podolsk 142132, Moscow Oblast, Russia; (N.A.V.); (A.S.A.); (P.V.L.); (N.Y.G.); (A.N.V.); (A.V.S.); (L.A.V.)
| | - Michael N. Romanov
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, Podolsk 142132, Moscow Oblast, Russia; (N.A.V.); (A.S.A.); (P.V.L.); (N.Y.G.); (A.N.V.); (A.V.S.); (L.A.V.)
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK;
| | - Alexandra S. Abdelmanova
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, Podolsk 142132, Moscow Oblast, Russia; (N.A.V.); (A.S.A.); (P.V.L.); (N.Y.G.); (A.N.V.); (A.V.S.); (L.A.V.)
| | - Polina V. Larionova
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, Podolsk 142132, Moscow Oblast, Russia; (N.A.V.); (A.S.A.); (P.V.L.); (N.Y.G.); (A.N.V.); (A.V.S.); (L.A.V.)
| | - Nadezhda Yu. German
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, Podolsk 142132, Moscow Oblast, Russia; (N.A.V.); (A.S.A.); (P.V.L.); (N.Y.G.); (A.N.V.); (A.V.S.); (L.A.V.)
| | - Anastasia N. Vetokh
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, Podolsk 142132, Moscow Oblast, Russia; (N.A.V.); (A.S.A.); (P.V.L.); (N.Y.G.); (A.N.V.); (A.V.S.); (L.A.V.)
| | - Alexey V. Shakhin
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, Podolsk 142132, Moscow Oblast, Russia; (N.A.V.); (A.S.A.); (P.V.L.); (N.Y.G.); (A.N.V.); (A.V.S.); (L.A.V.)
| | - Ludmila A. Volkova
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, Podolsk 142132, Moscow Oblast, Russia; (N.A.V.); (A.S.A.); (P.V.L.); (N.Y.G.); (A.N.V.); (A.V.S.); (L.A.V.)
| | - Dmitry V. Anshakov
- Breeding and Genetic Center Zagorsk Experimental Breeding Farm—Branch of the Federal Research Centre, All-Russian Poultry Research and Technological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Sergiev Posad 141311, Moscow Oblast, Russia;
| | - Vladimir I. Fisinin
- Federal Research Center “All-Russian Poultry Research and Technological Institute” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Sergiev Posad 141311, Moscow Oblast, Russia;
| | - Valeriy G. Narushin
- Research Institute for Environment Treatment, 69032 Zaporizhya, Ukraine;
- Vita-Market Co., Ltd., 69032 Zaporizhya, Ukraine
| | - Darren K. Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK;
| | - Johann Sölkner
- Institute of Livestock Sciences (NUWI), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Gottfried Brem
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - John C. McEwan
- AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand; (J.C.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Rudiger Brauning
- AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand; (J.C.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Natalia A. Zinovieva
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, Podolsk 142132, Moscow Oblast, Russia; (N.A.V.); (A.S.A.); (P.V.L.); (N.Y.G.); (A.N.V.); (A.V.S.); (L.A.V.)
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14
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Prem P, Muneshwar KN, Agrawal S, Jaiswal A. The Impact of Increased Homozygosity on Human Fertility: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e49000. [PMID: 38111431 PMCID: PMC10726075 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted relationship between increased homozygosity and human fertility, delving into the genetic, ethical, cultural, and public health dimensions of this complex phenomenon. Homozygosity, characterized by identical alleles at specific gene loci, can result from consanguineous marriages, genetic drift, and population isolation. The review highlights key findings, including the heightened risk of recessive genetic disorders, the implications for immune system diversity, and the influence on complex traits and diseases. It underscores the critical role of genetic counseling in addressing these consequences, considering the ethical implications, and respecting cultural practices. The delicate balance between genetic diversity and cultural norms is emphasized, calling for increased awareness and community engagement. Looking ahead, the review suggests emerging technologies, longitudinal studies, and interdisciplinary research as crucial avenues for further exploration, with the ultimate goal of informing effective public health policies and interventions that safeguard genetic diversity and cultural traditions for future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranjal Prem
- Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Komal N Muneshwar
- Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Suyash Agrawal
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Arpita Jaiswal
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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15
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Mathur S, Mason AJ, Bradburd GS, Gibbs HL. Functional genomic diversity is correlated with neutral genomic diversity in populations of an endangered rattlesnake. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303043120. [PMID: 37844221 PMCID: PMC10614936 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303043120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Theory predicts that genetic erosion in small, isolated populations of endangered species can be assessed using estimates of neutral genetic variation, yet this widely used approach has recently been questioned in the genomics era. Here, we leverage a chromosome-level genome assembly of an endangered rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) combined with whole genome resequencing data (N = 110 individuals) to evaluate the relationship between levels of genome-wide neutral and functional diversity over historical and future timescales. As predicted, we found positive correlations between genome-wide estimates of neutral genetic diversity (π) and inferred levels of adaptive variation and an estimate of inbreeding mutation load, and a negative relationship between neutral diversity and an estimate of drift mutation load. However, these correlations were half as strong for projected future levels of neutral diversity based on contemporary effective population sizes. Broadly, our results confirm that estimates of neutral genetic diversity provide an accurate measure of genetic erosion in populations of a threatened vertebrate. They also provide nuance to the neutral-functional diversity controversy by suggesting that while these correlations exist, anthropogenetic impacts may have weakened these associations in the recent past and into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samarth Mathur
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH48824
- Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
| | - Andrew J. Mason
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH48824
- Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
| | - Gideon S. Bradburd
- Evolution and Behavior Program, Department of Integrative Biology, Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - H. Lisle Gibbs
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH48824
- Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
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16
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Wang D, Salehian-Dehkordi H, Suo L, Lv F. Impacts of Population Size and Domestication Process on Genetic Diversity and Genetic Load in Genus Ovis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1977. [PMID: 37895326 PMCID: PMC10606048 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101977] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In theoretical biology, a prevailing hypothesis posits a profound interconnection between effective population size (Ne), genetic diversity, inbreeding, and genetic load. The domestication and improvement processes are believed to be pivotal in diminishing genetic diversity while elevating levels of inbreeding and increasing genetic load. In this study, we performed a whole genome analysis to quantity genetic diversity, inbreeding, and genetic load across seven wild Ovis species and five domesticated sheep breeds. Our research demonstrates that the genetic load and diversity of species in the genus Ovis have no discernible impact on recent Ne, and three species within the subgenus Pachyceros tend to carry a higher genetic load and lower genetic diversity patterns. The results coincide with these species' dramatic decline in population sizes within the subgenus Pachyceros ~80-250 thousand years ago. European mouflon presented with the lowest Ne, lower genetic diversity, and higher individual inbreeding coefficient but a lower genetic load (missense and LoF). This suggests that the small Ne of European mouflon could reduce harmful mutations compared to other species within the genus Ovis. We showed lower genetic diversity in domesticated sheep than in Asiatic mouflon, but counterintuitive patterns of genetic load, i.e., lower weak genetic load (missense mutation) and no significant difference in strong genetic load (LoF mutation) between domestic sheep and Asiatic mouflon. These findings reveal that the "cost of domestication" during domestication and improvement processes reduced genetic diversity and purified weak genetic load more efficiently than wild species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongfeng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China;
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | | | - Langda Suo
- Institute of Animal Science, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa 850009, China;
| | - Fenghua Lv
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
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17
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Dussex N, Tørresen OK, van der Valk T, Le Moullec M, Veiberg V, Tooming-Klunderud A, Skage M, Garmann-Aarhus B, Wood J, Rasmussen JA, Pedersen ÅØ, Martin SL, Røed KH, Jakobsen KS, Dalén L, Hansen BB, Martin MD. Adaptation to the High-Arctic island environment despite long-term reduced genetic variation in Svalbard reindeer. iScience 2023; 26:107811. [PMID: 37744038 PMCID: PMC10514459 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Typically much smaller in number than their mainland counterparts, island populations are ideal systems to investigate genetic threats to small populations. The Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) is an endemic subspecies that colonized the Svalbard archipelago ca. 6,000-8,000 years ago and now shows numerous physiological and morphological adaptations to its arctic habitat. Here, we report a de-novo chromosome-level assembly for Svalbard reindeer and analyze 133 reindeer genomes spanning Svalbard and most of the species' Holarctic range, to examine the genomic consequences of long-term isolation and small population size in this insular subspecies. Empirical data, demographic reconstructions, and forward simulations show that long-term isolation and high inbreeding levels may have facilitated the reduction of highly deleterious-and to a lesser extent, moderately deleterious-variation. Our study indicates that long-term reduced genetic diversity did not preclude local adaptation to the High Arctic, suggesting that even severely bottlenecked populations can retain evolutionary potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dussex
- Department of Natural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gate 47A, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ole K. Tørresen
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom van der Valk
- Centre for PalaeoGenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, SE 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathilde Le Moullec
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vebjørn Veiberg
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), NO 7034 Trondheim, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ave Tooming-Klunderud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten Skage
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Benedicte Garmann-Aarhus
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, NO 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jonathan Wood
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA Cambridge, UK
| | - Jacob A. Rasmussen
- Department of Natural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gate 47A, Trondheim, Norway
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Sarah L.F. Martin
- Department of Natural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gate 47A, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Knut H. Røed
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Kjetill S. Jakobsen
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for PalaeoGenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, SE 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brage B. Hansen
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), NO 7034 Trondheim, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Michael D. Martin
- Department of Natural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gate 47A, Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO 7491 Trondheim, Norway
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18
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Dussex N, Kurland S, Olsen RA, Spong G, Ericsson G, Ekblom R, Ryman N, Dalén L, Laikre L. Range-wide and temporal genomic analyses reveal the consequences of near-extinction in Swedish moose. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1035. [PMID: 37848497 PMCID: PMC10582009 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05385-x] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ungulate species have experienced severe declines over the past centuries through overharvesting and habitat loss. Even if many game species have recovered thanks to strict hunting regulation, the genome-wide impacts of overharvesting are still unclear. Here, we examine the temporal and geographical differences in genome-wide diversity in moose (Alces alces) over its whole range in Sweden by sequencing 87 modern and historical genomes. We found limited impact of the 1900s near-extinction event but local variation in inbreeding and load in modern populations, as well as suggestion of a risk of future reduction in genetic diversity and gene flow. Furthermore, we found candidate genes for local adaptation, and rapid temporal allele frequency shifts involving coding genes since the 1980s, possibly due to selective harvesting. Our results highlight that genomic changes potentially impacting fitness can occur over short time scales and underline the need to track both deleterious and selectively advantageous genomic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dussex
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE-104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University Museum, Trondheim, NO-7491, Norway.
| | - Sara Kurland
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Remi-André Olsen
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, SE-171 21, Solna, Sweden
| | - Göran Spong
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Göran Ericsson
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Robert Ekblom
- Wildlife Analysis Unit, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, SE-106 48, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nils Ryman
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE-104 05, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Laikre
- Department of Zoology, Division of Population Genetics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
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19
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Gu TT, Wu H, Yang F, Gaubert P, Heighton SP, Fu Y, Liu K, Luo SJ, Zhang HR, Hu JY, Yu L. Genomic analysis reveals a cryptic pangolin species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304096120. [PMID: 37748052 PMCID: PMC10556634 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304096120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Eight extant species of pangolins are currently recognized. Recent studies found that two mitochondrial haplotypes identified in confiscations in Hong Kong could not be assigned to any known pangolin species, implying the existence of a species. Here, we report that two additional mitochondrial haplotypes identified in independent confiscations from Yunnan align with the putative species haplotypes supporting the existence of this mysterious species/population. To verify the new species scenario we performed a comprehensive analysis of scale characteristics and 138 whole genomes representing all recognized pangolin species and the cryptic new species, 98 of which were generated here. Our morphometric results clearly attributed this cryptic species to Asian pangolins (Manis sp.) and the genomic data provide robust and compelling evidence that it is a pangolin species distinct from those recognized previously, which separated from the Philippine pangolin and Malayan pangolin over 5 Mya. Our study provides a solid genomic basis for its formal recognition as the ninth pangolin species or the fifth Asian one, supporting a new taxonomic classification of pangolins. The effects of glacial climate changes and recent anthropogenic activities driven by illegal trade are inferred to have caused its population decline with the genomic signatures showing low genetic diversity, a high level of inbreeding, and high genetic load. Our finding greatly expands current knowledge of pangolin diversity and evolution and has vital implications for conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of this enigmatic and endangered species from the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong-Tong Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Hong Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tai Po, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region999077, China
| | - Philippe Gaubert
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, Université Toulouse III–Paul Sabatier, 31062Toulouse Cedex 9, France
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Porto4450-208, Portugal
| | - Sean P. Heighton
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, Université Toulouse III–Paul Sabatier, 31062Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Yeyizhou Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Ke Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Shu-Jin Luo
- The State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Hua-Rong Zhang
- Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tai Po, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region999077, China
| | - Jing-Yang Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
| | - Li Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China
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20
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Guhlin J, Le Lec MF, Wold J, Koot E, Winter D, Biggs PJ, Galla SJ, Urban L, Foster Y, Cox MP, Digby A, Uddstrom LR, Eason D, Vercoe D, Davis T, Howard JT, Jarvis ED, Robertson FE, Robertson BC, Gemmell NJ, Steeves TE, Santure AW, Dearden PK. Species-wide genomics of kākāpō provides tools to accelerate recovery. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:1693-1705. [PMID: 37640765 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02165-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The kākāpō is a critically endangered, intensively managed, long-lived nocturnal parrot endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. We generated and analysed whole-genome sequence data for nearly all individuals living in early 2018 (169 individuals) to generate a high-quality species-wide genetic variant callset. We leverage extensive long-term metadata to quantify genome-wide diversity of the species over time and present new approaches using probabilistic programming, combined with a phenotype dataset spanning five decades, to disentangle phenotypic variance into environmental and genetic effects while quantifying uncertainty in small populations. We find associations for growth, disease susceptibility, clutch size and egg fertility within genic regions previously shown to influence these traits in other species. Finally, we generate breeding values to predict phenotype and illustrate that active management over the past 45 years has maintained both genome-wide diversity and diversity in breeding values and, hence, evolutionary potential. We provide new pathways for informing future conservation management decisions for kākāpō, including prioritizing individuals for translocation and monitoring individuals with poor growth or high disease risk. Overall, by explicitly addressing the challenge of the small sample size, we provide a template for the inclusion of genomic data that will be transformational for species recovery efforts around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Guhlin
- Genomics Aotearoa, Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Marissa F Le Lec
- Genomics Aotearoa, Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Jana Wold
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Emily Koot
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - David Winter
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Patrick J Biggs
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Stephanie J Galla
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | - Lara Urban
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
- Helmholtz AI, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Yasmin Foster
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Murray P Cox
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Andrew Digby
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Lydia R Uddstrom
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Daryl Eason
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Deidre Vercoe
- Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Tāne Davis
- Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body, Invercargill, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Jason T Howard
- Neurogenetics of Language Lab, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Mirxes, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Erich D Jarvis
- The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Fiona E Robertson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Bruce C Robertson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Tammy E Steeves
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Peter K Dearden
- Genomics Aotearoa, Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand.
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21
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Dussex N, Morales HE, Grossen C, Dalén L, van Oosterhout C. Purging and accumulation of genetic load in conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:961-969. [PMID: 37344276 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Our ability to assess the threat posed by the genetic load to small and declining populations has been greatly improved by advances in genome sequencing and computational approaches. Yet, considerable confusion remains around the definitions of the genetic load and its dynamics, and how they impact individual fitness and population viability. We illustrate how both selective purging and drift affect the distribution of deleterious mutations during population size decline and recovery. We show how this impacts the composition of the genetic load, and how this affects the extinction risk and recovery potential of populations. We propose a framework to examine load dynamics and advocate for the introduction of load estimates in the management of endangered populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dussex
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Erling Skakkes Gate 47A, 7012 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Hernán E Morales
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christine Grossen
- WSL Swiss Federal Research Institute, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cock van Oosterhout
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
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22
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Burnett HA, Bieker VC, Le Moullec M, Peeters B, Rosvold J, Pedersen ÅØ, Dalén L, Loe LE, Jensen H, Hansen BB, Martin MD. Contrasting genomic consequences of anthropogenic reintroduction and natural recolonization in high-arctic wild reindeer. Evol Appl 2023; 16:1531-1548. [PMID: 37752961 PMCID: PMC10519417 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic reintroduction can supplement natural recolonization in reestablishing a species' distribution and abundance. However, both reintroductions and recolonizations can give rise to founder effects that reduce genetic diversity and increase inbreeding, potentially causing the accumulation of genetic load and reduced fitness. Most current populations of the endemic high-arctic Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) originate from recent reintroductions or recolonizations following regional extirpations due to past overharvesting. We investigated and compared the genomic consequences of these two paths to reestablishment using whole-genome shotgun sequencing of 100 Svalbard reindeer across their range. We found little admixture between reintroduced and natural populations. Two reintroduced populations, each founded by 12 individuals around four decades (i.e. 8 reindeer generations) ago, formed two distinct genetic clusters. Compared to the source population, these populations showed only small decreases in genome-wide heterozygosity and increases in inbreeding and lengths of runs of homozygosity. In contrast, the two naturally recolonized populations without admixture possessed much lower heterozygosity, higher inbreeding and longer runs of homozygosity, possibly caused by serial population founder effects and/or fewer or more genetically related founders than in the reintroduction events. Naturally recolonized populations can thus be more vulnerable to the accumulation of genetic load than reintroduced populations. This suggests that in some organisms even small-scale reintroduction programs based on genetically diverse source populations can be more effective than natural recolonization in establishing genetically diverse populations. These findings warrant particular attention in the conservation and management of populations and species threatened by habitat fragmentation and loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish A. Burnett
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of BiologyNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University MuseumNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
| | - Vanessa C. Bieker
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of BiologyNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University MuseumNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
| | - Mathilde Le Moullec
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of BiologyNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
| | - Bart Peeters
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of BiologyNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
| | - Jørgen Rosvold
- Department of Terrestrial BiodiversityNorwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)TrondheimNorway
| | | | - Love Dalén
- Centre for PalaeogeneticsStockholmSweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and GeneticsSwedish Museum of Natural HistoryStockholmSweden
- Department of ZoologyStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Leif Egil Loe
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesAasNorway
| | - Henrik Jensen
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of BiologyNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
| | - Brage B. Hansen
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of BiologyNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
- Department of Terrestrial EcologyNorwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)TrondheimNorway
| | - Michael D. Martin
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of BiologyNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University MuseumNorwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)TrondheimNorway
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23
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Lawrence ER, Pedersen EJ, Fraser DJ. Macrogenetics reveals multifaceted influences of environmental variation on vertebrate population genetic diversity across the Americas. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:4557-4569. [PMID: 37365672 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17059] [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: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The broad scale distribution of population-specific genetic diversity (GDP ) across taxa remains understudied relative to species diversity gradients, despite its relevance for systematic conservation planning. We used nuclear DNA data collected from 3678 vertebrate populations across the Americas to assess the role of environmental and spatial variables in structuring the distribution of GDP , a key component of adaptive potential in the face of environmental change. We specifically assessed non-linear trends for a metric of GDP, expected heterozygosity (HE ), and found more evidence for spatial hotspots and cold spots in HE rather than a strict pattern with latitude. We also detected inconsistent relationships between HE and environmental variables, where only 11 of 30 environmental comparisons among taxa groups were statistically significant at the .05 level, and the shape of significant trends differed substantially across vertebrate groups. Only one of six taxonomic groups, freshwater fishes, consistently showed significant relationships between HE and most (four of five) environmental variables. The remaining groups had statistically significant relationships for either two (amphibians, reptiles), one (birds, mammals), or no variables (anadromous fishes). Our study highlights gaps in the theoretical foundation upon which macrogenetic predictions have been made thus far in the literature, as well as the nuances for assessing broad patterns in GDP among vertebrate groups. Overall, our results suggest a disconnect between patterns of species and genetic diversity, and underscores that large-scale factors affecting genetic diversity may not be the same factors as those shaping taxonomic diversity. Thus, careful spatial and taxonomic-specific considerations are needed for applying macrogenetics to conservation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric J Pedersen
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Dylan J Fraser
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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24
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Wold JR, Guhlin JG, Dearden PK, Santure AW, Steeves TE. The promise and challenges of characterizing genome-wide structural variants: A case study in a critically endangered parrot. Mol Ecol Resour 2023. [PMID: 36916824 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13783] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
There is growing interest in the role of structural variants (SVs) as drivers of local adaptation and speciation. From a biodiversity genomics perspective, the characterization of genome-wide SVs provides an exciting opportunity to complement single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, little is known about the impacts of SV discovery and genotyping strategies on the characterization of genome-wide SV diversity within and among populations. Here, we explore a near whole-species resequence data set, and long-read sequence data for a subset of highly represented individuals in the critically endangered kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus). We demonstrate that even when using a highly contiguous reference genome, different discovery and genotyping strategies can significantly impact the type, size and location of SVs characterized genome-wide. Further, we found that the mean number of SVs in each of two kākāpō lineages differed both within and across generations. These combined results suggest that genome-wide characterization of SVs remains challenging at the population-scale. We are optimistic that increased accessibility to long-read sequencing and advancements in bioinformatic approaches including multireference approaches like genome graphs will alleviate at least some of the challenges associated with resolving SV characteristics below the species level. In the meantime, we address caveats, highlight considerations, and provide recommendations for the characterization of genome-wide SVs in biodiversity genomic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana R Wold
- University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Joseph G Guhlin
- Genomics Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Peter K Dearden
- Genomics Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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25
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Duntsch L, Whibley A, de Villemereuil P, Brekke P, Bailey S, Ewen JG, Santure AW. Genomic signatures of inbreeding depression for a threatened Aotearoa New Zealand passerine. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:1893-1907. [PMID: 36655901 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
For small and isolated populations, the increased chance of mating between related individuals can result in a substantial reduction in individual and population fitness. Despite the increasing availability of genomic data to measure inbreeding accurately across the genome, inbreeding depression studies for threatened species are still scarce due to the difficulty of measuring fitness in the wild. Here, we investigate inbreeding and inbreeding depression for the extensively monitored Tiritiri Mātangi island population of a threatened Aotearoa New Zealand passerine, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta). First, using a custom 45 k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, we explore genomic inbreeding patterns by inferring homozygous segments across the genome. Although all individuals have similar levels of ancient inbreeding, highly inbred individuals are affected by recent inbreeding, which can probably be explained by bottleneck effects such as habitat loss after European arrival and their translocation to the island in the 1990s. Second, we investigate genomic inbreeding effects on fitness, measured as lifetime reproductive success, and its three components, juvenile survival, adult annual survival and annual reproductive success, in 363 hihi. We find that global inbreeding significantly affects juvenile survival but none of the remaining fitness traits. Finally, we employ a genome-wide association approach to test the locus-specific effects of inbreeding on fitness, and identify 13 SNPs significantly associated with lifetime reproductive success. Our findings suggest that inbreeding depression does impact hihi, but at different genomic scales for different traits, and that purging has therefore failed to remove all variants with deleterious effects from this population of conservation concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Duntsch
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity (CBB), School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Annabel Whibley
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity (CBB), School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pierre de Villemereuil
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), École Pratique des Hautes Études, PSL, MNHN, CNRS, SU, UA, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Bailey
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity (CBB), School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Anna W Santure
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity (CBB), School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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26
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Escoda L, Hawlitschek O, González-Esteban J, Castresana J. Methodological challenges in the genomic analysis of an endangered mammal population with low genetic diversity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21390. [PMID: 36496459 PMCID: PMC9741620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25619-y] [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: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, populations of various species with very low genetic diversity have been discovered. Some of these persist in the long term, but others could face extinction due to accelerated loss of fitness. In this work, we characterize 45 individuals of one of these populations, belonging to the Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus). For this, we used the ddRADseq technique, which generated 1421 SNPs. The heterozygosity values of the analyzed individuals were among the lowest recorded for mammals, ranging from 26 to 91 SNPs/Mb. Furthermore, the individuals from one of the localities, highly isolated due to strong barriers, presented extremely high inbreeding coefficients, with values above 0.7. Under this scenario of low genetic diversity and elevated inbreeding levels, some individuals appeared to be almost genetically identical. We used different methods and simulations to determine if genetic identification and parentage analysis were possible in this population. Only one of the methods, which does not assume population homogeneity, was able to identify all individuals correctly. Therefore, genetically impoverished populations pose a great methodological challenge for their genetic study. However, these populations are of primary scientific and conservation interest, so it is essential to characterize them genetically and improve genomic methodologies for their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lídia Escoda
- grid.507636.10000 0004 0424 5398Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oliver Hawlitschek
- grid.507636.10000 0004 0424 5398Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37, 08003 Barcelona, Spain ,grid.517093.90000 0005 0294 9006Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Zoological Museum, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jose Castresana
- grid.507636.10000 0004 0424 5398Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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27
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Smeds L, Ellegren H. From high masked to high realized genetic load in inbred Scandinavian wolves. Mol Ecol 2022; 32:1567-1580. [PMID: 36458895 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
When new mutations arise at functional sites they are more likely to impair than improve fitness. If not removed by purifying selection, such deleterious mutations will generate a genetic load that can have negative fitness effects in small populations and increase the risk of extinction. This is relevant for the highly inbred Scandinavian wolf (Canis lupus) population, founded by only three wolves in the 1980s and suffering from inbreeding depression. We used functional annotation and evolutionary conservation scores to study deleterious variation in a total of 209 genomes from both the Scandinavian and neighbouring wolf populations in northern Europe. The masked load (deleterious mutations in heterozygote state) was highest in Russia and Finland with deleterious alleles segregating at lower frequency than neutral variation. Genetic drift in the Scandinavian population led to the loss of ancestral alleles, fixation of deleterious variants and a significant increase in the per-individual realized load (deleterious mutations in homozygote state; an increase by 45% in protein-coding genes) over five generations of inbreeding. Arrival of immigrants gave a temporary genetic rescue effect with ancestral alleles re-entering the population and thereby shifting deleterious alleles from homozygous into heterozygote genotypes. However, in the absence of permanent connectivity to Finnish and Russian populations, inbreeding has then again led to the exposure of deleterious mutations. These observations provide genome-wide insight into the magnitude of genetic load and genetic rescue at the molecular level, and in relation to population history. They emphasize the importance of securing gene flow in the management of endangered populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnéa Smeds
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hans Ellegren
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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28
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Shaffer HB, Toffelmier E, Corbett-Detig RB, Escalona M, Erickson B, Fiedler P, Gold M, Harrigan RJ, Hodges S, Luckau TK, Miller C, Oliveira DR, Shaffer KE, Shapiro B, Sork VL, Wang IJ. Landscape Genomics to Enable Conservation Actions: The California Conservation Genomics Project. J Hered 2022; 113:577-588. [PMID: 35395669 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esac020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP) is a unique, critically important step forward in the use of comprehensive landscape genetic data to modernize natural resource management at a regional scale. We describe the CCGP, including all aspects of project administration, data collection, current progress, and future challenges. The CCGP will generate, analyze, and curate a single high-quality reference genome and 100-150 resequenced genomes for each of 153 species projects (representing 235 individual species) that span the ecological and phylogenetic breadth of California's marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. The resulting portfolio of roughly 20 000 resequenced genomes will be analyzed with identical informatic and landscape genomic pipelines, providing a comprehensive overview of hotspots of within-species genomic diversity, potential and realized corridors connecting these hotspots, regions of reduced diversity requiring genetic rescue, and the distribution of variation critical for rapid climate adaptation. After 2 years of concerted effort, full funding ($12M USD) has been secured, species identified, and funds distributed to 68 laboratories and 114 investigators drawn from all 10 University of California campuses. The remaining phases of the CCGP include completion of data collection and analyses, and delivery of the resulting genomic data and inferences to state and federal regulatory agencies to help stabilize species declines. The aspirational goals of the CCGP are to identify geographic regions that are critical to long-term preservation of California biodiversity, prioritize those regions based on defensible genomic criteria, and provide foundational knowledge that informs management strategies at both the individual species and ecosystem levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Bradley Shaffer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fisheries Branch, West Sacramento, CA 95605, USA
| | - Erin Toffelmier
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Russ B Corbett-Detig
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Merly Escalona
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Bjorn Erickson
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, CA 95825, USA
| | - Peggy Fiedler
- Natural Reserve System, Office of the President, University of California, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
| | - Mark Gold
- California Natural Resources Agency, 1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
| | - Ryan J Harrigan
- La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Center for Tropical Research, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Scott Hodges
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Tara K Luckau
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Courtney Miller
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Daniel R Oliveira
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kevin E Shaffer
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fisheries Branch, West Sacramento, CA 95605, USA
| | - Beth Shapiro
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Victoria L Sork
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ian J Wang
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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29
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von Seth J, van der Valk T, Lord E, Sigeman H, Olsen RA, Knapp M, Kardailsky O, Robertson F, Hale M, Houston D, Kennedy E, Dalén L, Norén K, Massaro M, Robertson BC, Dussex N. Genomic trajectories of a near-extinction event in the Chatham Island black robin. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:747. [DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08963-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Understanding the micro-evolutionary response of populations to demographic declines is a major goal in evolutionary and conservation biology. In small populations, genetic drift can lead to an accumulation of deleterious mutations, which will increase the risk of extinction. However, demographic recovery can still occur after extreme declines, suggesting that natural selection may purge deleterious mutations, even in extremely small populations. The Chatham Island black robin (Petroica traversi) is arguably the most inbred bird species in the world. It avoided imminent extinction in the early 1980s and after a remarkable recovery from a single pair, a second population was established and the two extant populations have evolved in complete isolation since then. Here, we analysed 52 modern and historical genomes to examine the genomic consequences of this extreme bottleneck and the subsequent translocation.
Results
We found evidence for two-fold decline in heterozygosity and three- to four-fold increase in inbreeding in modern genomes. Moreover, there was partial support for temporal reduction in total load for detrimental variation. In contrast, compared to historical genomes, modern genomes showed a significantly higher realised load, reflecting the temporal increase in inbreeding. Furthermore, the translocation induced only small changes in the frequency of deleterious alleles, with the majority of detrimental variation being shared between the two populations.
Conclusion
Our results highlight the dynamics of mutational load in a species that recovered from the brink of extinction, and show rather limited temporal changes in mutational load. We hypothesise that ancestral purging may have been facilitated by population fragmentation and isolation on several islands for thousands of generations and may have already reduced much of the highly deleterious load well before human arrival and introduction of pests to the archipelago. The majority of fixed deleterious variation was shared between the modern populations, but translocation of individuals with low mutational load could possibly mitigate further fixation of high-frequency deleterious variation.
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Ji Y, Feng S, Wu L, Fang Q, Brüniche-Olsen A, DeWoody JA, Cheng Y, Zhang D, Hao Y, Song G, Qu Y, Suh A, Zhang G, Hackett SJ, Lei F. Orthologous microsatellites, transposable elements, and DNA deletions correlate with generation time and body mass in neoavian birds. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo0099. [PMID: 36044583 PMCID: PMC9432842 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The rate of mutation accumulation in germline cells can be affected by cell replication and/or DNA damage, which are further related to life history traits such as generation time and body mass. Leveraging the existing datasets of 233 neoavian bird species, here, we investigated whether generation time and body mass contribute to the interspecific variation of orthologous microsatellite length, transposable element (TE) length, and deletion length and how these genomic attributes affect genome sizes. In nonpasserines, we found that generation time is correlated to both orthologous microsatellite length and TE length, and body mass is negatively correlated to DNA deletions. These patterns are less pronounced in passerines. In all species, we found that DNA deletions relate to genome size similarly as TE length, suggesting a role of body mass dynamics in genome evolution. Our results indicate that generation time and body mass shape the evolution of genomic attributes in neoavian birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | - Shaohong Feng
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Future Health Laboratory, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314100, China
- Evolutionary and Organismal Biology Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qi Fang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Villum Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Anna Brüniche-Olsen
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - J. Andrew DeWoody
- Departments of Forestry and Natural Resources and Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Yalin Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Dezhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Gang Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yanhua Qu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Alexander Suh
- School of Biological Sciences, Organism and Environment, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TU, Norwich, UK
- Department of Organismal Biology, Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC), Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-752 36, Sweden
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Future Health Laboratory, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314100, China
- Evolutionary and Organismal Biology Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Villum Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Shannon J. Hackett
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
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31
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The Threatened Species Imperative: Conservation assessments would benefit from population genomic insights. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210685119. [PMID: 35969797 PMCID: PMC9436345 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210685119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Ochoa A, Onorato DP, Roelke-Parker ME, Culver M, Fitak RR. Give and Take: Effects of Genetic Admixture on Mutation Load in Endangered Florida Panthers. J Hered 2022; 113:491-499. [PMID: 35930593 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esac037] [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: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic admixture is a biological event inherent to genetic rescue programs aimed at the long-term conservation of endangered wildlife. Although the success of such programs can be measured by the increase in genetic diversity and fitness of subsequent admixed individuals, predictions supporting admixture costs to fitness due to the introduction of novel deleterious alleles are necessary. Here, we analyzed nonsynonymous variation from conserved genes to quantify and compare levels of mutation load (i.e., proportion of deleterious alleles and genotypes carrying these alleles) among endangered Florida panthers and non-endangered Texas pumas. Specifically, we used canonical (i.e., non-admixed) Florida panthers, Texas pumas, and F1 (canonical Florida x Texas) panthers dating from a genetic rescue program and Everglades National Park panthers with Central American ancestry resulting from an earlier admixture event. We found neither genetic drift nor selection significantly reduced overall proportions of deleterious alleles in the severely bottlenecked canonical Florida panthers. Nevertheless, the deleterious alleles identified were distributed into a disproportionately high number of homozygous genotypes due to close inbreeding in this group. Conversely, admixed Florida panthers (either with Texas or Central American ancestry) presented reduced levels of homozygous genotypes carrying deleterious alleles but increased levels of heterozygous genotypes carrying these variants relative to canonical Florida panthers. Although admixture is likely to alleviate the load of standing deleterious variation present in homozygous genotypes, our results suggest introduced novel deleterious alleles (temporarily present in heterozygous state) in genetically rescued populations could potentially be expressed in subsequent generations if their effective sizes remain small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ochoa
- Department of Biology and Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - David P Onorato
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Naples, FL
| | - Melody E Roelke-Parker
- Frederick National Laboratory of Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Bethesda, MD
| | - Melanie Culver
- U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Robert R Fitak
- Department of Biology and Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
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Jackson HA, Percival‐Alwyn L, Ryan C, Albeshr MF, Venturi L, Morales HE, Mathers TC, Cocker J, Speak SA, Accinelli GG, Barker T, Heavens D, Willman F, Dawson D, Ward L, Tatayah V, Zuël N, Young R, Concannon L, Whitford H, Clavijo B, Bunbury N, Tyler KM, Ruhomaun K, Grace MK, Bruford MW, Jones CG, Tollington S, Bell DJ, Groombridge JJ, Clark M, Van Oosterhout C. Genomic erosion in a demographically recovered bird species during conservation rescue. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13918. [PMID: 35554972 PMCID: PMC9546124 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) is an endemic species of Mauritius that has made a remarkable recovery after a severe population bottleneck in the 1970s to early 1990s. Prior to this bottleneck, an ex situ population was established from which captive-bred individuals were released into free-living subpopulations to increase population size and genetic variation. This conservation rescue led to rapid population recovery to 400-480 individuals, and the species was twice downlisted on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. We analyzed the impacts of the bottleneck and genetic rescue on neutral genetic variation during and after population recovery (1993-2008) with restriction site-associated sequencing, microsatellite analyses, and quantitative genetic analysis of studbook data of 1112 birds from zoos in Europe and the United States. We used computer simulations to study the predicted changes in genetic variation and population viability from the past into the future. Genetic variation declined rapidly, despite the population rebound, and the effective population size was approximately an order of magnitude smaller than census size. The species carried a high genetic load of circa 15 lethal equivalents for longevity. Our computer simulations predicted continued inbreeding will likely result in increased expression of deleterious mutations (i.e., a high realized load) and severe inbreeding depression. Without continued conservation actions, it is likely that the pink pigeon will go extinct in the wild within 100 years. Conservation rescue of the pink pigeon has been instrumental in the recovery of the free-living population. However, further genetic rescue with captive-bred birds from zoos is required to recover lost variation, reduce expression of harmful deleterious variation, and prevent extinction. The use of genomics and modeling data can inform IUCN assessments of the viability and extinction risk of species, and it helps in assessments of the conservation dependency of populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel A. Jackson
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
| | | | - Camilla Ryan
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
- The Earlham InstituteNorwichUK
| | - Mohammed F. Albeshr
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of ScienceKing Saud UniversityRiyadhSaudi Arabia
| | - Luca Venturi
- Department of Life SciencesThe Natural History MuseumLondonUK
| | | | | | - Jonathan Cocker
- The Earlham InstituteNorwichUK
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | - Samuel A. Speak
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | | | | | | | - Faye Willman
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | - Deborah Dawson
- NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility, Department of Animal and Plant SciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Lauren Ward
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
- NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility, Department of Animal and Plant SciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | | | - Nicholas Zuël
- Mauritian Wildlife FoundationVacoas‐PhoenixMauritius
| | - Richard Young
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation TrustJerseyChannel Islands
| | | | | | | | - Nancy Bunbury
- Seychelles Islands FoundationVictoriaSeychelles
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Kevin M. Tyler
- Norwich Medical SchoolUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | - Kevin Ruhomaun
- National Parks and Conservation Service, Ministry of EnvironmentGovernment of MauritiusRéduitMauritius
| | - Molly K. Grace
- Molly K. Grace, Department of ZoologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | - Carl G. Jones
- Mauritian Wildlife FoundationVacoas‐PhoenixMauritius
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation TrustJerseyChannel Islands
| | - Simon Tollington
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
- NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility, Department of Animal and Plant SciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- North of England Zoological SocietyChester ZooChesterUK
| | - Diana J. Bell
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | - Jim J. Groombridge
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
| | - Matt Clark
- The Earlham InstituteNorwichUK
- Department of Life SciencesThe Natural History MuseumLondonUK
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34
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Grueber CE, Sunnucks P. Using genomics to fight extinction. Science 2022; 376:574-575. [PMID: 35511984 DOI: 10.1126/science.abp9874] [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
Quantifying fitness of wild organisms from genomic data alone is a challenging frontier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Grueber
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul Sunnucks
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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35
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Mularo AJ, Bernal XE, DeWoody JA. Dominance can increase genetic variance after a population bottleneck: a synthesis of the theoretical and empirical evidence. J Hered 2022; 113:257-271. [PMID: 35143665 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esac007] [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: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drastic reductions in population size, or population bottlenecks, can lead to a reduction in additive genetic variance and adaptive potential. Genetic variance for some quantitative genetic traits, however, can increase after a population reduction. Empirical evaluations of quantitative traits following experimental bottlenecks indicate that non-additive genetic effects, including both allelic dominance at a given locus and epistatic interactions among loci, may impact the additive variance contributed by alleles that ultimately influences phenotypic expression and fitness. The dramatic effects of bottlenecks on overall genetic diversity have been well studied, but relatively little is known about how dominance and demographic events like bottlenecks can impact additive genetic variance. Herein, we critically examine how the degree of dominance among alleles affects additive genetic variance after a bottleneck. We first review and synthesize studies that document the impact of empirical bottlenecks on dominance variance. We then extend earlier work by elaborating on two theoretical models that illustrate the relationship between dominance and the potential increase in additive genetic variance immediately following a bottleneck. Furthermore, we investigate the parameters that influence the maximum level of genetic variation (associated with adaptive potential) after a bottleneck, including the number of founding individuals. Finally, we validated our methods using forward-time population genetic simulations of loci with varying dominance and selection levels. The fate of non-additive genetic variation following bottlenecks could have important implications for conservation and management efforts in a wide variety of taxa, and our work should help contextualize future studies (e.g., epistatic variance) in population genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Mularo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Ximena E Bernal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panamá
| | - J Andrew DeWoody
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.,Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
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36
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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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37
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Brookes B, Jeon H, Derry AM, Post JR, Rogers SM, Humphries S, Fraser DJ. Neutral and adaptive drivers of genomic change in introduced brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis) populations revealed by pooled sequencing. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8584. [PMID: 35154655 PMCID: PMC8820109 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the drivers of successful species invasions is important for conserving native biodiversity and for mitigating the economic impacts of introduced species. However, whole-genome resolution investigations of the underlying contributions of neutral and adaptive genetic variation in successful introductions are rare. Increased propagule pressure should result in greater neutral genetic variation, while environmental differences should elicit selective pressures on introduced populations, leading to adaptive differentiation. We investigated neutral and adaptive variation among nine introduced brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations using whole-genome pooled sequencing. The populations inhabit isolated alpine lakes in western Canada and descend from a common source, with an average of ~19 (range of 7-41) generations since introduction. We found some evidence of bottlenecks without recovery, no strong evidence of purifying selection, and little support that varying propagule pressure or differences in local environments shaped observed neutral genetic variation differences. Putative adaptive loci analysis revealed nonconvergent patterns of adaptive differentiation among lakes with minimal putatively adaptive loci (0.001%-0.15%) that did not correspond with tested environmental variables. Our results suggest that (i) introduction success is not always strongly influenced by genetic load; (ii) observed differentiation among introduced populations can be idiosyncratic, population-specific, or stochastic; and (iii) conservatively, in some introduced species, colonization barriers may be overcome by support through one aspect of propagule pressure or benign environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent Brookes
- Department of BiologyConcordia UniversityMontréalQCCanada
| | - Hyung‐Bae Jeon
- Department of BiologyConcordia UniversityMontréalQCCanada
| | - Alison M. Derry
- Département des sciences biologiquesUniversité du Québec à MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - John R. Post
- Department of BiologyUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryABCanada
| | - Sean M. Rogers
- Department of BiologyUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryABCanada
| | - Shelley Humphries
- Parks CanadaNatural Resource Management BranchRadium Hot SpringsBCCanada
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Kardos M, Armstrong EE, Fitzpatrick SW, Hauser S, Hedrick PW, Miller JM, Tallmon DA, Funk WC. The crucial role of genome-wide genetic variation in conservation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2104642118. [PMID: 34772759 PMCID: PMC8640931 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2104642118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented rate of extinction calls for efficient use of genetics to help conserve biodiversity. Several recent genomic and simulation-based studies have argued that the field of conservation biology has placed too much focus on conserving genome-wide genetic variation, and that the field should instead focus on managing the subset of functional genetic variation that is thought to affect fitness. Here, we critically evaluate the feasibility and likely benefits of this approach in conservation. We find that population genetics theory and empirical results show that conserving genome-wide genetic variation is generally the best approach to prevent inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive potential from driving populations toward extinction. Focusing conservation efforts on presumably functional genetic variation will only be feasible occasionally, often misleading, and counterproductive when prioritized over genome-wide genetic variation. Given the increasing rate of habitat loss and other environmental changes, failure to recognize the detrimental effects of lost genome-wide genetic variation on long-term population viability will only worsen the biodiversity crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marty Kardos
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA 98112;
| | | | - Sarah W Fitzpatrick
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI 49060
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Samantha Hauser
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211
| | - Philip W Hedrick
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Joshua M Miller
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA 92027
- Polar Bears International, Bozeman, MT 59772
- Department of Biological Sciences, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada
| | - David A Tallmon
- Biology and Marine Biology Program, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK 99801
| | - W Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
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39
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Abstract
The unprecedented rate of extinction calls for efficient use of genetics to help conserve biodiversity. Several recent genomic and simulation-based studies have argued that the field of conservation biology has placed too much focus on conserving genome-wide genetic variation, and that the field should instead focus on managing the subset of functional genetic variation that is thought to affect fitness. Here, we critically evaluate the feasibility and likely benefits of this approach in conservation. We find that population genetics theory and empirical results show that conserving genome-wide genetic variation is generally the best approach to prevent inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive potential from driving populations toward extinction. Focusing conservation efforts on presumably functional genetic variation will only be feasible occasionally, often misleading, and counterproductive when prioritized over genome-wide genetic variation. Given the increasing rate of habitat loss and other environmental changes, failure to recognize the detrimental effects of lost genome-wide genetic variation on long-term population viability will only worsen the biodiversity crisis.
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40
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Bravo GA, Schmitt CJ, Edwards SV. What Have We Learned from the First 500 Avian Genomes? ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-012121-085928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The increased capacity of DNA sequencing has significantly advanced our understanding of the phylogeny of birds and the proximate and ultimate mechanisms molding their genomic diversity. In less than a decade, the number of available avian reference genomes has increased to over 500—approximately 5% of bird diversity—placing birds in a privileged position to advance the fields of phylogenomics and comparative, functional, and population genomics. Whole-genome sequence data, as well as indels and rare genomic changes, are further resolving the avian tree of life. The accumulation of bird genomes, increasingly with long-read sequence data, greatly improves the resolution of genomic features such as germline-restricted chromosomes and the W chromosome, and is facilitating the comparative integration of genotypes and phenotypes. Community-based initiatives such as the Bird 10,000 Genomes Project and Vertebrate Genome Project are playing a fundamental role in amplifying and coalescing a vibrant international program in avian comparative genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo A. Bravo
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA;, ,
| | - C. Jonathan Schmitt
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA;, ,
| | - Scott V. Edwards
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA;, ,
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41
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Stewart KG, HernÁndez F, Grahmann ED, Wester DAB, Perez RM, Brennan LA, Perotto‐Baldivieso HL. Influence of Juniper on Montezuma Quail Habitat Use in Texas. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristyn G. Stewart
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363‐8202 USA
| | - Fidel HernÁndez
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363‐8202 USA
| | | | - DAvid B. Wester
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363‐8202 USA
| | | | - Leonard A. Brennan
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University‐Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363‐8202 USA
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42
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Foster Y, Dutoit L, Grosser S, Dussex N, Foster BJ, Dodds KG, Brauning R, Van Stijn T, Robertson F, McEwan JC, Jacobs JME, Robertson BC. Genomic signatures of inbreeding in a critically endangered parrot, the kākāpō. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkab307. [PMID: 34542587 PMCID: PMC8527487 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Events of inbreeding are inevitable in critically endangered species. Reduced population sizes and unique life-history traits can increase the severity of inbreeding, leading to declines in fitness and increased risk of extinction. Here, we investigate levels of inbreeding in a critically endangered flightless parrot, the kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus), wherein a highly inbred island population and one individual from the mainland of New Zealand founded the entire extant population. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), and a genotype calling approach using a chromosome-level genome assembly, identified a filtered set of 12,241 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among 161 kākāpō, which together encompass the total genetic potential of the extant population. Multiple molecular-based estimates of inbreeding were compared, including genome-wide estimates of heterozygosity (FH), the diagonal elements of a genomic-relatedness matrix (FGRM), and runs of homozygosity (RoH, FRoH). In addition, we compared levels of inbreeding in chicks from a recent breeding season to examine if inbreeding is associated with offspring survival. The density of SNPs generated with GBS was sufficient to identify chromosomes that were largely homozygous with RoH distributed in similar patterns to other inbred species. Measures of inbreeding were largely correlated and differed significantly between descendants of the two founding populations. However, neither inbreeding nor ancestry was found to be associated with reduced survivorship in chicks, owing to unexpected mortality in chicks exhibiting low levels of inbreeding. Our study highlights important considerations for estimating inbreeding in critically endangered species, such as the impacts of small population sizes and admixture between diverse lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Foster
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ludovic Dutoit
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Stefanie Grosser
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Nicolas Dussex
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brodie J Foster
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ken G Dodds
- AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - Rudiger Brauning
- AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - Tracey Van Stijn
- AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - Fiona Robertson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - John C McEwan
- AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | | | - Bruce C Robertson
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
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Ochoa A, Gibbs HL. Genomic signatures of inbreeding and mutation load in a threatened rattlesnake. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:5454-5469. [PMID: 34448259 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Theory predicts that threatened species living in small populations will experience high levels of inbreeding that will increase their genetic load, but recent work suggests that the impact of load may be minimized by purging resulting from long-term population bottlenecks. Empirical studies that examine this idea using genome-wide estimates of inbreeding and genetic load in threatened species are limited. Here we use individual genome resequencing data to compare levels of inbreeding, levels of genetic load (estimated as mutation load) and population history in threatened Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus), which exist in small isolated populations, and closely related yet outbred Western massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistrurus tergeminus). In terms of inbreeding, S. catenatus genomes had a greater number of runs of homozygosity of varying sizes, indicating sustained inbreeding through repeated bottlenecks when compared to S. tergeminus. At the species level, outbred S. tergeminus had higher genome-wide levels of mutation load in the form of greater numbers of derived deleterious mutations compared to S. catenatus, presumably due to long-term purging of deleterious mutations in S. catenatus. In contrast, mutations that escaped species-level drift effects within S. catenatus populations were in general more frequent and more often found in homozygous genotypes than in S. tergeminus, suggesting a reduced efficiency of purifying selection in smaller S. catenatus populations for most mutations. Our results support an emerging idea that the historical demography of a threatened species has a significant impact on the type of genetic load present, which impacts implementation of conservation actions such as genetic rescue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ochoa
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - H Lisle Gibbs
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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44
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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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