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Maroso F, Padovani G, Muñoz Mora VH, Giannelli F, Trucchi E, Bertorelle G. Fitness consequences and ancestry loss in the Apennine brown bear after a simulated genetic rescue intervention. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14133. [PMID: 37259604 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Reduction in population size, with its predicted effects on population fitness, is the most alarming anthropogenic impact on endangered species. By introducing compatible individuals, genetic rescue (GR) is a promising but debated approach for reducing the genetic load unmasked by inbreeding and for restoring the fitness of declining populations. Although GR can improve genetic diversity and fitness, it can also produce loss of ancestry, hampering local adaptation, or replace with introduced variants the unique genetic pools evolved in endemic groups. We used forward genetic simulations based on empirical genomic data to assess fitness benefits and loss of ancestry risks of GR in the Apennine brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus). There are approximately 50 individuals of this isolated subspecies, and they have lower genetic diversity and higher inbreeding than other European brown bears, and GR has been suggested to reduce extinction risks. We compared 10 GR scenarios in which the number and genetic characteristics of migrants varied with a non-GR scenario of simple demographic increase due to nongenetic factors. The introduction of 5 individuals of higher fitness or lower levels of deleterious mutations than the target Apennine brown bear from a larger European brown bear population produced a rapid 10-20% increase in fitness in the subspecies and up to 22.4% loss of ancestry over 30 generations. Without a contemporary demographic increase, fitness started to decline again after a few generations. Doubling the population size without GR gradually increased fitness to a comparable level, but without losing ancestry, thus resulting in the best strategy for the Apennine brown bear conservation. Our results highlight the importance for management of endangered species of realistic forward simulations grounded in empirical whole-genome data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Maroso
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giada Padovani
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Giannelli
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Emiliano Trucchi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bertorelle
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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2
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Mayer P, Grêt-Regamey A, Ciucci P, Salliou N, Stritih A. Mapping human- and bear-centered perspectives on coexistence using a participatory Bayesian framework. J Nat Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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3
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Armstrong EE, Perry BW, Huang Y, Garimella KV, Jansen HT, Robbins CT, Tucker NR, Kelley JL. A beary good genome: Haplotype-resolved, chromosome-level assembly of the brown bear (Ursus arctos). Genome Biol Evol 2022; 14:6656105. [PMID: 35929770 PMCID: PMC9447482 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is the second largest and most widespread extant terrestrial carnivore on Earth and has recently emerged as a medical model for human metabolic diseases. Here, we report a fully phased chromosome-level assembly of a male North American brown bear built by combining Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) HiFi data and publicly available Hi-C data. The final genome size is 2.47 Gigabases (Gb) with a scaffold and contig N50 length of 70.08 and 43.94 Megabases (Mb), respectively. Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog (BUSCO) analysis revealed that 94.5% of single copy orthologs from Mammalia were present in the genome (the highest of any ursid genome to date). Repetitive elements accounted for 44.48% of the genome and a total of 20,480 protein coding genes were identified. Based on whole genome alignment to the polar bear, the brown bear is highly syntenic with the polar bear, and our phylogenetic analysis of 7,246 single-copy orthologs supports the currently proposed species tree for Ursidae. This highly contiguous genome assembly will support future research on both the evolutionary history of the bear family and the physiological mechanisms behind hibernation, the latter of which has broad medical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie E Armstrong
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Blair W Perry
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Yongqing Huang
- Data Sciences Platform, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kiran V Garimella
- Data Sciences Platform, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Heiko T Jansen
- Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Charles T Robbins
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA.,School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Nathan R Tucker
- Masonic Medical Research Institute, 2150 Bleecker St, Utica, NY, 13501, USA.,Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Joanna L Kelley
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
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4
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Pereira J, Rosalino LM, Reljić S, Babic N, Huber D. Factors influencing the success of capturing European brown bears with foot snares. MAMMALIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2021-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Management of free-ranging wildlife may include the capture of animals, with the implication that the capture process is optimized, both logistically and economically and in a way that avoids animal suffering, injury or accidental mortality. Studies targeting the optimization of trapping techniques are scarce, especially when focusing on large European mammals. Therefore, to fill this knowledge gap, we aimed to evaluate key factors that help determine brown bear capture success. This was done by analysing a complete data set from 23 years of capturing free-living Eurasian brown bears in Croatia by using Aldrich-type foot snares. Results showed significantly higher capture efficiency when traps were located at permanent feeding sites when compared to temporary feeding sites. Also, the use of a trail trap design was significantly more efficient in capturing bears than using a cubby set. Finally, results showed that trapping was more efficient when we bait the traps more frequently and when we implemented longer trap-sessions, with at least 14 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Pereira
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa , Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Luís Miguel Rosalino
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa , Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Slaven Reljić
- Biology Department , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb , Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Natarsha Babic
- School of Biological Science, Monash University, Clayton Campus , Clayton , VIC 3800 , Australia
| | - Djuro Huber
- Biology Department , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb , Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb , Croatia
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5
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Endo Y, Osada N, Mano T, Masuda R. Demographic History of the Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) on Hokkaido Island, Japan, Based on Whole-Genomic Sequence Analysis. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6355033. [PMID: 34410373 PMCID: PMC8449831 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) on Hokkaido Island, Japan, have detected three geographically distinct subpopulations representing different mitochondrial lineages and shown that gene flow between subpopulations has occurred due to male-biased dispersal. In this study, we determined whole-genomic sequences for six Hokkaido brown bears and analyzed these data along with previously published genomic sequences of 17 brown bears from other parts of the world. We found that the Hokkaido population is genetically distinct from the other populations, keeping genetic diversity higher than the endangered populations in western Europe but lower than most populations on the continents. A reconstruction of historical demography showed no increase in population size for the Hokkaido population during the Eemian interglacial period (130,000–114,000 years ago). In a phylogenetic analysis of the autosomal data, the Hokkaido population formed a clade distinct from North American and European populations, showing that it has maintained genetic diversity independently from continental populations following geographical isolation on the island. This autosomal genetic similarity contrasts with the geographically separate mitochondrial lineages on Hokkaido and indicates the occurrence of male-driven gene flow between subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Endo
- Department of Natural History Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naoki Osada
- Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Mano
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hokkaido Research Organization, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Masuda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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6
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Scarpulla E, Boattini A, Cozzo M, Giangregorio P, Ciucci P, Mucci N, Randi E, Davoli F. First core microsatellite panel identification in Apennine brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus): a collaborative approach. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:623. [PMID: 34407764 PMCID: PMC8371798 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07915-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The low cost and rapidity of microsatellite analysis have led to the development of several markers for many species. Because in non-invasive genetics it is recommended to genotype individuals using few loci, generally a subset of markers is selected. The choice of different marker panels by different research groups studying the same population can cause problems and bias in data analysis. A priority issue in conservation genetics is the comparability of data produced by different labs with different methods. Here, we compared data from previous and ongoing studies to identify a panel of microsatellite loci efficient for the long-term monitoring of Apennine brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus), aiming at reducing genotyping uncertainty and allowing reliable individual identifications overtimes. RESULTS We examined all microsatellite markers used up to now and identified 19 candidate loci. We evaluated the efficacy of 13 of the most commonly used loci analyzing 194 DNA samples belonging to 113 distinct bears selected from the Italian national biobank. We compared data from 4 different marker subsets on the basis of genotyping errors, allelic patterns, observed and expected heterozygosity, discriminatory powers, number of mismatching pairs, and probability of identity. The optimal marker set was selected evaluating the low molecular weight, the high discriminatory power, and the low occurrence of genotyping errors of each primer. We calibrated allele calls and verified matches among genotypes obtained in previous studies using the complete set of 13 STRs (Short Tandem Repeats), analyzing six invasive DNA samples from distinct individuals. Differences in allele-sizing between labs were consistent, showing a substantial overlap of the individual genotyping. CONCLUSIONS The proposed marker set comprises 11 Ursus specific markers with the addition of cxx20, the canid-locus less prone to genotyping errors, in order to prevent underestimation (maximizing the discriminatory power) and overestimation (minimizing the genotyping errors) of the number of Apennine brown bears. The selected markers allow saving time and costs with the amplification in multiplex of all loci thanks to the same annealing temperature. Our work optimizes the available resources by identifying a shared panel and a uniform methodology capable of improving comparisons between past and future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erminia Scarpulla
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Boattini
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mario Cozzo
- Department for the Monitoring and Protection of the Environment and for Biodiversity Conservation, Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO-CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Ca' Fornacetta, 9 - 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Giangregorio
- Department for the Monitoring and Protection of the Environment and for Biodiversity Conservation, Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO-CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Ca' Fornacetta, 9 - 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin" (BBCD), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Mucci
- Department for the Monitoring and Protection of the Environment and for Biodiversity Conservation, Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO-CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Ca' Fornacetta, 9 - 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ettore Randi
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, University of Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Francesca Davoli
- Department for the Monitoring and Protection of the Environment and for Biodiversity Conservation, Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO-CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Ca' Fornacetta, 9 - 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
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7
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Mazzamuto MV, Su HJ, Guidarelli G, Preatoni D, Russo LF, Loy A, Martinoli A. Mandible morphology as a tool to investigate origin, adaptation and stress in invasive alien species: first insights into Callosciurus erythraeus (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Europe. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2021.1943548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. V. Mazzamuto
- Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - H.-J. Su
- Department of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, PR China
| | - G. Guidarelli
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - D. Preatoni
- Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - L. F. Russo
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - A. Loy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - A. Martinoli
- Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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8
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Loy A, Ciucci P, Guidarelli G, Roccotelli E, Colangelo P. Developmental instability and phenotypic evolution in a small and isolated bear population. Biol Lett 2021; 17:20200729. [PMID: 33878275 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We explored fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and morphological integration (MI) in the skull of the small, highly inbred and divergent Apennine bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus), to explore its uniqueness and investigate any potential effects of inbreeding depression. We used 3D geometric morphometrics contrasting Apennine bears with other two large outbred bear populations from Scandinavia and Kamchatka as controls. Shape divergence and variability were explored by a principal component analysis on aligned coordinates of 39 landmarks. Procrustes ANOVA, morphological disparity and the global integration index were used to explore FA, shape variance and MI. By remarking Apennine bears as a highly divergent phenotype, we recorded the highest FA and deviation from self-similarity compared with the other two control populations. We conclude that Apennine bears are likely facing developmental instability as a consequence of inbreeding depression, whereas the divergent trait covariance pattern may represent a potential source of evolutionary novelties. We discuss the implications for the conservation and management of this imperiled taxon.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Loy
- Envix Lab, Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche (IS), Italy
| | - P Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - G Guidarelli
- Envix Lab, Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche (IS), Italy
| | - E Roccotelli
- Envix Lab, Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche (IS), Italy
| | - P Colangelo
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, 00015 Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
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9
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Viacava P, Blomberg SP, Sansalone G, Phillips MJ, Guillerme T, Cameron SF, Wilson RS, Weisbecker V. Skull shape of a widely distributed, endangered marsupial reveals little evidence of local adaptation between fragmented populations. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:9707-9720. [PMID: 33005341 PMCID: PMC7520215 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The biogeographic distribution of diversity among populations of threatened mammalian species is generally investigated using population genetics. However, intraspecific phenotypic diversity is rarely assessed beyond taxonomy-focused linear measurements or qualitative descriptions. Here, we use a technique widely used in the evolutionary sciences-geometric morphometrics-to characterize shape diversity in the skull of an endangered marsupial, the northern quoll, across its 5,000 km distribution range along Northern Australia. Skull shape is a proxy for feeding, behavior, and phenotypic differentiation, allowing us to ask whether populations can be distinguished and whether patterns of variation indicate adaptability to changing environmental conditions. We analyzed skull shape in 101 individuals across four mainland populations and several islands. We assessed the contribution of population, size, sex, rainfall, temperature, and geography to skull shape variation using principal component analysis, Procrustes ANOVA, and variation partitioning analyses. The populations harbor similar amounts of broadly overlapping skull shape variation, with relatively low geographic effects. Size predicted skull shape best, coinciding with braincase size variation and differences in zygomatic arches. Size-adjusted differences in populations explained less variation with far smaller effect sizes, relating to changes in the insertion areas of masticatory muscles, as well as the upper muzzle and incisor region. Climatic and geographic variables contributed little. Strikingly, the vast majority of shape variation-76%-remained unexplained. Our results suggest a uniform intraspecific scope for shape variation, possibly due to allometric constraints or phenotypic plasticity beyond the relatively strong allometric effect. The lack of local adaptation indicates that cross-breeding between populations will not reduce local morphological skull (and probably general musculoskeletal) adaptation because none exists. However, the potential for heritable morphological variation (e.g., specialization to local diets) seems exceedingly limited. We conclude that 3D geometric morphometrics can provide a comprehensive, statistically rigorous phenomic contribution to genetic-based conservation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Viacava
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St. Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Simone P Blomberg
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St. Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Gabriele Sansalone
- Form, Evolution and Anatomy Research Laboratory, Zoology School of Environmental and Rural Sciences University of New England Armidale NSW Australia
| | - Matthew J Phillips
- Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences School Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Thomas Guillerme
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St. Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Skye F Cameron
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St. Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Robbie S Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland St. Lucia QLD Australia
| | - Vera Weisbecker
- College of Science and Engineering Flinders University Adelaide SA Australia
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10
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Gervasi V, Ciucci P. Demographic projections of the Apennine brown bear population Ursus arctos marsicanus (Mammalia: Ursidae) under alternative management scenarios. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2018.1478003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- V. Gervasi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - P. Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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11
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Benazzo A, Trucchi E, Cahill JA, Maisano Delser P, Mona S, Fumagalli M, Bunnefeld L, Cornetti L, Ghirotto S, Girardi M, Ometto L, Panziera A, Rota-Stabelli O, Zanetti E, Karamanlidis A, Groff C, Paule L, Gentile L, Vilà C, Vicario S, Boitani L, Orlando L, Fuselli S, Vernesi C, Shapiro B, Ciucci P, Bertorelle G. Survival and divergence in a small group: The extraordinary genomic history of the endangered Apennine brown bear stragglers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E9589-E9597. [PMID: 29078308 PMCID: PMC5692547 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707279114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
About 100 km east of Rome, in the central Apennine Mountains, a critically endangered population of ∼50 brown bears live in complete isolation. Mating outside this population is prevented by several 100 km of bear-free territories. We exploited this natural experiment to better understand the gene and genomic consequences of surviving at extremely small population size. We found that brown bear populations in Europe lost connectivity since Neolithic times, when farming communities expanded and forest burning was used for land clearance. In central Italy, this resulted in a 40-fold population decline. The overall genomic impact of this decline included the complete loss of variation in the mitochondrial genome and along long stretches of the nuclear genome. Several private and deleterious amino acid changes were fixed by random drift; predicted effects include energy deficit, muscle weakness, anomalies in cranial and skeletal development, and reduced aggressiveness. Despite this extreme loss of diversity, Apennine bear genomes show nonrandom peaks of high variation, possibly maintained by balancing selection, at genomic regions significantly enriched for genes associated with immune and olfactory systems. Challenging the paradigm of increased extinction risk in small populations, we suggest that random fixation of deleterious alleles (i) can be an important driver of divergence in isolation, (ii) can be tolerated when balancing selection prevents random loss of variation at important genes, and (iii) is followed by or results directly in favorable behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Benazzo
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Emiliano Trucchi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo 1066, Norway
| | - James A Cahill
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
| | - Pierpaolo Maisano Delser
- Institute de Systematics, Evolution, Biodiversite, UMR 7205-CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), CP39, 75005 Paris, France
- EPHE, Paris Sciences & Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Stefano Mona
- Institute de Systematics, Evolution, Biodiversite, UMR 7205-CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), CP39, 75005 Paris, France
- EPHE, Paris Sciences & Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Matteo Fumagalli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot SL5 7PY, United Kingdom
| | - Lynsey Bunnefeld
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, United Kingdom
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Cornetti
- Zoological Institute, University of Basel, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Ghirotto
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Girardi
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Lino Ometto
- Department of Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems and Bioresources, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
- Independent Researcher, 38016 Mezzocorona, Italy
| | - Alex Panziera
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Omar Rota-Stabelli
- Department of Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems and Bioresources, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Enrico Zanetti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alexandros Karamanlidis
- Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment, ARCTUROS, 53075 Aetos, Florina, Greece
| | - Claudio Groff
- Forest and Wildlife Service, Provincia Autonoma di Trento, 38100 Trento, Italy
| | - Ladislav Paule
- Department of Phytology, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University, 96053 Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Leonardo Gentile
- Veterinary Service, National Park of Abruzzo Lazio and Molise, 67032 Pescasseroli, Italy
| | - Carles Vilà
- Department of Integrative Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 4102 Seville, Spain
| | - Saverio Vicario
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research and Technologies, National Research Council, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Boitani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin," University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovic Orlando
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, 1350 K Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Silvia Fuselli
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristiano Vernesi
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Beth Shapiro
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin," University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bertorelle
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
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12
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Gervasi V, Boitani L, Paetkau D, Posillico M, Randi E, Ciucci P. Estimating survival in the Apennine brown bear accounting for uncertainty in age classification. POPUL ECOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10144-017-0587-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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13
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Meloro C, Guidarelli G, Colangelo P, Ciucci P, Loy A. Mandible size and shape in extant Ursidae (Carnivora, Mammalia): A tool for taxonomy and ecogeography. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Meloro
- Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology; School of Natural Sciences and Psychology; Liverpool John Moores University; Liverpool UK
| | | | - Paolo Colangelo
- CNR - Institute for Ecosystem Study; Verbania-Pallanza Italy
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin’; University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’; Roma Italy
| | - Anna Loy
- Department S.T.A.T.; University of Molise; Pesche Italy
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14
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Gippoliti S, Amori G, Castiglia R, Colangelo P, Capanna E. The relevance of Italian museum collections for research and conservation: the case of mammals. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-014-0304-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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15
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Costello CM, van Manen FT, Haroldson MA, Ebinger MR, Cain SL, Gunther KA, Bjornlie DD. Influence of whitebark pine decline on fall habitat use and movements of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Ecol Evol 2014; 4:2004-18. [PMID: 24963393 PMCID: PMC4063492 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
When abundant, seeds of the high-elevation whitebark pine (WBP; Pinus albicaulis) are an important fall food for grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Rates of bear mortality and bear/human conflicts have been inversely associated with WBP productivity. Recently, mountain pine beetles (Dendroctonus ponderosae) have killed many cone-producing WBP trees. We used fall (15 August–30 September) Global Positioning System locations from 89 bear years to investigate temporal changes in habitat use and movements during 2000–2011. We calculated Manly–Chesson (MC) indices for selectivity of WBP habitat and secure habitat (≥500 m from roads and human developments), determined dates of WBP use, and documented net daily movement distances and activity radii. To evaluate temporal trends, we used regression, model selection, and candidate model sets consisting of annual WBP production, sex, and year. One-third of sampled grizzly bears had fall ranges with little or no mapped WBP habitat. Most other bears (72%) had a MC index above 0.5, indicating selection for WBP habitats. From 2000 to 2011, mean MC index decreased and median date of WBP use shifted about 1 week later. We detected no trends in movement indices over time. Outside of national parks, there was no correlation between the MC indices for WBP habitat and secure habitat, and most bears (78%) selected for secure habitat. Nonetheless, mean MC index for secure habitat decreased over the study period during years of good WBP productivity. The wide diet breadth and foraging plasticity of grizzly bears likely allowed them to adjust to declining WBP. Bears reduced use of WBP stands without increasing movement rates, suggesting they obtained alternative fall foods within their local surroundings. However, the reduction in mortality risk historically associated with use of secure, high-elevation WBP habitat may be diminishing for bears residing in multiple-use areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecily M Costello
- College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Frank T van Manen
- Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA
| | - Mark A Haroldson
- Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA
| | - Michael R Ebinger
- College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | | | - Kerry A Gunther
- Bear Management Office, Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park, WY, 82190, USA
| | - Daniel D Bjornlie
- Large Carnivore Section, Wyoming Game & Fish Department Lander, WY, 82520, USA
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