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Buglione M, Rivieccio E, Aceto S, Paturzo V, Biondi C, Fulgione D. The Domestication of Wild Boar Could Result in a Relaxed Selection for Maintaining Olfactory Capacity. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:1045. [PMID: 39202786 PMCID: PMC11355481 DOI: 10.3390/life14081045] [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: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Domesticated animals are artificially selected to exhibit desirable traits, however not all traits of domesticated animals are the result of deliberate selection. Loss of olfactory capacity in the domesticated pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) is one example. We used whole transcriptome analysis (RNA-Seq) to compare patterns of gene expression in the olfactory mucosa of the pig and two subspecies of wild boar (Sus scrofa), and investigate candidate genes that could be responsible for the loss of olfactory capacity. We identified hundreds of genes with reductions in transcript abundance in pig relative to wild boar as well as differences between the two subspecies of wild boar. These differences were detected mainly in genes involved in the formation and motility of villi, cilia and microtubules, functions associated with olfaction. In addition, differences were found in the abundances of transcripts of genes related to immune defenses, with the highest levels in continental wild boar subspecies. Overall, the loss of olfactory capacity in pigs appears to have been accompanied by reductions in the expression of candidate genes for olfaction. These changes could have resulted from unintentional selection for reduced olfactory capacity, relaxed selection for maintaining olfactory capacity, pleiotropic effects of genes under selection, or other non-selective processes. Our findings could be a cornerstone for future researches on wild boars, pigs, feral populations, and their evolutionary trajectories, aimed to provide tools to better calibrate species management as well as guidelines for breeders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Buglione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.B.); (S.A.); (V.P.); (C.B.)
| | - Eleonora Rivieccio
- Department of Humanities Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80133 Naples, Italy;
| | - Serena Aceto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.B.); (S.A.); (V.P.); (C.B.)
| | - Vincenzo Paturzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.B.); (S.A.); (V.P.); (C.B.)
| | - Carla Biondi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.B.); (S.A.); (V.P.); (C.B.)
| | - Domenico Fulgione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.B.); (S.A.); (V.P.); (C.B.)
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2
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Brambilla A, Zehnder N, Bassano B, Rossi L, Grossen C. Genetic evidence of a hybrid swarm between Alpine ibex ( Capra ibex) and domestic goat ( C. hircus). Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13761. [PMID: 39081502 PMCID: PMC11284124 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13761] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Improving the understanding of the causes and effects of anthropogenic hybridization is fundamental to ensure species conservation, particularly in the case of hybridization between wild species and their domestic relatives. Knowledge is missing for many species also because of a lack of appropriate tools for hybrid identification. Here, coupling genotype and phenotype analysis, we carried out an extensive investigation of ongoing hybridization in Alpine ibex Capra ibex, a mountain ungulate of conservation concern from a genetic perspective. By genotyping 63 diagnostic and 465 neutral SNPs, 20 suspected hybrids and 126 Alpine ibex without suspicious phenotype, representing 8 populations across a major part of the species distribution, we found evidence for ongoing hybridization between Alpine ibex and domestic goat. We identified different levels of hybridization including backcrosses into both Alpine ibex and domestic goat. Our results suggest a lack of reproductive barriers between the two species and good survival and reproductive success of the hybrids. Hybridization was locally intense, like a hybrid swarm, but not spread across the rest of the species distribution. Most of the hybrids were discovered in two locations in the north-west of Italy, while random sampling of individuals from different areas did not provide evidence of recent hybridization. Our method, based on amplicon sequencing of 63 diagnostic SNPs specifically developed for this purpose, allowed us to identify hybrids and backcrosses up to the fourth to fifth generations and was suitable for genetic samples of different quality, although with varying levels of certainty regarding the exact number of generations passed since hybridization. Based on the paired analysis of genotype and phenotype, we provide guidelines for the first identification of hybrids in the field and suggest a procedure for the reliable identification of hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Brambilla
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Alpine Wildlife Research Center, Gran Paradiso National ParkTorinoItaly
| | - Noel Zehnder
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Bruno Bassano
- Alpine Wildlife Research Center, Gran Paradiso National ParkTorinoItaly
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary ScienceUniversity of TurinTorinoItaly
| | - Christine Grossen
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSLBirmensdorfSwitzerland
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3
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Šprem N, Buzan E, Safner T. How we look: European wild mouflon and feral domestic sheep hybrids. Curr Zool 2024; 70:298-303. [PMID: 39035767 PMCID: PMC11255987 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoad031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hybridization between wild animals and feral individuals from closely related domestic species can occur when they share the same habitat. Such events are generally regarded as a threat to the genetic integrity and survival of established wild populations. The aim of this study is to confirm a hybridization between European mouflon and feral sheep on the Adriatic island Dugi Otok, where a group of individuals phenotypically indicative of a possible introgression was photographed. Using an ovine medium-density SNP array genotypes, we provided genetic evidence of recent gene admixture between the two species. The ADMIXTURE analysis suggests that two hybrid individuals had 82.2% and 94.1% of their ancestry attributable to feral sheep, respectively, with the rest of the mouflon in origin. NEWHYBRIDS analysis estimated the combined probabilities for the putative hybrid individuals belonging to one of the hybrid classes at 87.0% and 90.1%, respectively. The main phenotypic differences in the hybrids were observed in the shape of the horns, a stronger horn circumference than in the mouflon and weaker than for the sheep, pronounced horn rings, a shorter tail, and intermediate color. We therefore recommend constant monitoring of the purity of the mouflon population to maintain its genetic integrity. In addition, all feral sheep should be removed from the wild, and released sheep raised in semi-wild conditions should be better controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikica Šprem
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Elena Buzan
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
- Faculty of Environmental Protection, Trg mladosti 7, 3320 Velenje, Slovenia
| | - Toni Safner
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biometrics, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CroP- BioDiv), Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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4
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Lucena-Perez M, Paijmans JLA, Nocete F, Nadal J, Detry C, Dalén L, Hofreiter M, Barlow A, Godoy JA. Recent increase in species-wide diversity after interspecies introgression in the highly endangered Iberian lynx. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:282-292. [PMID: 38225424 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02267-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Genetic diversity is lost in small and isolated populations, affecting many globally declining species. Interspecific admixture events can increase genetic variation in the recipient species' gene pool, but empirical examples of species-wide restoration of genetic diversity by admixture are lacking. Here we present multi-fold coverage genomic data from three ancient Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) approximately 2,000-4,000 years old and show a continuous or recurrent process of interspecies admixture with the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) that increased modern Iberian lynx genetic diversity above that occurring millennia ago despite its recent demographic decline. Our results add to the accumulating evidence for natural admixture and introgression among closely related species and show that this can result in an increase of species-wide genetic diversity in highly genetically eroded species. The strict avoidance of interspecific sources in current genetic restoration measures needs to be carefully reconsidered, particularly in cases where no conspecific source population exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lucena-Perez
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Seville, Spain
| | - Johanna L A Paijmans
- Evolutionary Adaptive Genomics, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francisco Nocete
- Grupo de Investigación MIDAS, Departamento Historia I (Prehistoria), Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Jordi Nadal
- SERP, Departament de Prehistoria, Historia Antiga i Arqueologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cleia Detry
- UNIARQ - Centro de Arqueologia da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Hofreiter
- Evolutionary Adaptive Genomics, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Axel Barlow
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK
| | - José A Godoy
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Seville, Spain.
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5
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Pokharel K, Weldenegodguad M, Dudeck S, Honkatukia M, Lindeberg H, Mazzullo N, Paasivaara A, Peippo J, Soppela P, Stammler F, Kantanen J. Whole-genome sequencing provides novel insights into the evolutionary history and genetic adaptation of reindeer populations in northern Eurasia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:23019. [PMID: 38155192 PMCID: PMC10754820 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50253-7] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) play a vital role in the culture and livelihoods of indigenous people across northern Eurasia. These animals are well adapted to harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme cold, limited feed availability and long migration distances. Therefore, understanding the genomics of reindeer is crucial for improving their management, conservation and utilisation. In this study, we have generated a new genome assembly for the Fennoscandian domestic reindeer with high contiguity, making it the most complete reference genome for reindeer to date. The new genome assembly was utilised to explore genetic diversity, population structure and selective sweeps in Eurasian Rangifer tarandus populations which was based on the largest population genomic dataset for reindeer, encompassing 58 individuals from diverse populations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed distinct genetic clusters, with the Finnish wild forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) standing out as a unique subspecies. Divergence time estimates suggested a separation of ~ 52 thousand years ago (Kya) between the northern European Rangifer tarandus fennicus and Rangifer tarandus tarandus. Our study identified four main genetic clusters: Fennoscandian, the eastern/northern Russian and Alaskan group, the Finnish forest reindeer, and the Svalbard reindeer. Furthermore, two independent reindeer domestication processes were inferred, suggesting separate origins for the domestic Fennoscandian and eastern/northern Russian reindeer. Notably, shared genes under selection, including retroviral genes, point towards molecular domestication processes that aided adaptation of this species to diverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kisun Pokharel
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Myllytie 1, 31600, Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Melak Weldenegodguad
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Myllytie 1, 31600, Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Stephan Dudeck
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, 96100, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | | | - Heli Lindeberg
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), 71750, Maaninka, Finland
| | - Nuccio Mazzullo
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, 96100, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Antti Paasivaara
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Paavo Havaksentie 3, 90570, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jaana Peippo
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Myllytie 1, 31600, Jokioinen, Finland
- NordGen-Nordic Genetic Resource Center, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Päivi Soppela
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, 96100, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | | | - Juha Kantanen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Myllytie 1, 31600, Jokioinen, Finland.
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6
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Pérez-González J, Carranza J, Anaya G, Broggini C, Vedel G, de la Peña E, Membrillo A. Comparative Analysis of Microsatellite and SNP Markers for Genetic Management of Red Deer. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3374. [PMID: 37958129 PMCID: PMC10650148 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213374] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The analysis of population genetic structure and individual multilocus heterozygosity are crucial for wildlife management and conservation. Microsatellite markers have traditionally been used to assess these genetic parameters. However, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are becoming increasingly popular. Our goal here was to determine to what extent SNPs can provide better insights than microsatellites into the overall genetic status and population genetic processes in the species. To this end, we genotyped 210 red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Spanish wild population with both 11 microsatellites and 31,712 SNPs. We compared parameters related to population genetic structure and individual multilocus heterozygosity obtained with both types of markers. Our results showed correlations between parameters measured using both microsatellites and SNPs, particularly those related to the level of genetic diversity and genetic differentiation. However, we found notably lower precision of microsatellites in measuring the distribution of genetic diversity among individuals. We conclude that microsatellites can be used to monitor the overall genetic status and detect broad patterns in red deer populations. Nevertheless, the greater precision of SNPs in inferring genetic structure and multilocus heterozygosity leads us to encourage scientists and wildlife managers to prioritize their use whenever possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Pérez-González
- Biology and Ethology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain
| | - Juan Carranza
- Wildlife Research Unit (UIRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (J.C.); (G.A.); (C.B.); (G.V.); (E.d.l.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Gabriel Anaya
- Wildlife Research Unit (UIRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (J.C.); (G.A.); (C.B.); (G.V.); (E.d.l.P.); (A.M.)
- Department of Genetics, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Camilla Broggini
- Wildlife Research Unit (UIRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (J.C.); (G.A.); (C.B.); (G.V.); (E.d.l.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Giovanni Vedel
- Wildlife Research Unit (UIRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (J.C.); (G.A.); (C.B.); (G.V.); (E.d.l.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Eva de la Peña
- Wildlife Research Unit (UIRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (J.C.); (G.A.); (C.B.); (G.V.); (E.d.l.P.); (A.M.)
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC), 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Alberto Membrillo
- Wildlife Research Unit (UIRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (J.C.); (G.A.); (C.B.); (G.V.); (E.d.l.P.); (A.M.)
- Department of Specific Didactics, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
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7
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Jan M, Stronen AV, Boljte B, Černe R, Huber Đ, Iosif R, Kljun F, Konec M, Kos I, Krofel M, Kusak J, Luštrik R, Majić Skrbinšek A, Promberger-Füerpass B, Potočnik H, Rigg R, Trontelj P, Skrbinšek T. Wolf genetic diversity compared across Europe using the yardstick method. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13727. [PMID: 37608038 PMCID: PMC10444868 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40834-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrating data across studies with traditional microsatellite genetic markers requires careful calibration and represents an obstacle for investigation of wide-ranging species where populations require transboundary management. We used the "yardstick" method to compare results published across Europe since 2002 and new wolf (Canis lupus) genetic profiles from the Carpathian Mountains in Central Europe and the Dinaric Mountains in Southeastern Europe, with the latter as our reference population. We compared each population with Dinaric wolves, considering only shared markers (range 4-17). For each population, we calculated standard genetic diversity indices plus calibrated heterozygosity (Hec) and allelic richness (Ac). Hec and Ac in Dinaric (0.704 and 9.394) and Carpathian wolves (0.695 and 7.023) were comparable to those observed in other large and mid-sized European populations, but smaller than those of northeastern Europe. Major discrepancies in marker choices among some studies made comparisons more difficult. However, the yardstick method, including the new measures of Hec and Ac, provided a direct comparison of genetic diversity values among wolf populations and an intuitive interpretation of the results. The yardstick method thus permitted the integration of diverse sources of publicly available microsatellite data for spatiotemporal genetic monitoring of evolutionary potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Jan
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Astrid Vik Stronen
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- DivjaLabs d.o.o., Aljaževa ulica 35a, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Barbara Boljte
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- DivjaLabs d.o.o., Aljaževa ulica 35a, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Černe
- Slovenia Forest Service, Večna pot 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Đuro Huber
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Vjekoslava Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ruben Iosif
- Foundation Conservation Carpathia, 27 Calea Feldioarei, 500471, Brașov, Romania
| | - Franc Kljun
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marjeta Konec
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- DivjaLabs d.o.o., Aljaževa ulica 35a, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivan Kos
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miha Krofel
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Josip Kusak
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Vjekoslava Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Roman Luštrik
- Genialis Inc, Vojkova cesta 63, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandra Majić Skrbinšek
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- DivjaLabs d.o.o., Aljaževa ulica 35a, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Hubert Potočnik
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robin Rigg
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Slovak Wildlife Society, Belanská 574/6, P.O. Box 72, Liptovský Hrádok, 033 01, Slovakia
| | - Peter Trontelj
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Skrbinšek
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- DivjaLabs d.o.o., Aljaževa ulica 35a, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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8
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Kessler C, Wootton E, Shafer ABA. Speciation without gene-flow in hybridizing deer. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:1117-1132. [PMID: 36516402 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16824] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Under the ecological speciation model, divergent selection acts on ecological differences between populations, gradually creating barriers to gene flow and ultimately leading to reproductive isolation. Hybridisation is part of this continuum and can both promote and inhibit the speciation process. Here, we used white-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (O. hemionus) to investigate patterns of speciation in hybridizing sister species. We quantified genome-wide historical introgression and performed genome scans to look for signatures of four different selection scenarios. Despite ample modern evidence of hybridisation, we found negligible patterns of ancestral introgression and no signatures of divergence with gene flow, rather localized patterns of allopatric and balancing selection were detected across the genome. Genes under balancing selection were related to immunity, MHC and sensory perception of smell, the latter of which is consistent with deer biology. The deficiency of historical gene-flow suggests that white-tailed and mule deer were spatially separated during the glaciation cycles of the Pleistocene and genome wide differentiation accrued via genetic drift. Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibilities and selection against hybrids are hypothesised to be acting, and diversity correlations to recombination rates suggests these sister species are far along the speciation continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Kessler
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric Wootton
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aaron B A Shafer
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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9
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Spatial genetic structure of European wild boar, with inferences on late-Pleistocene and Holocene demographic history. Heredity (Edinb) 2023; 130:135-144. [PMID: 36639700 PMCID: PMC9981775 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-022-00587-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
European wildlife has been subjected to intensifying levels of anthropogenic impact throughout the Holocene, yet the main genetic partitioning of many species is thought to still reflect the late-Pleistocene glacial refugia. We analyzed 26,342 nuclear SNPs of 464 wild boar (Sus scrofa) across the European continent to infer demographic history and reassess the genetic consequences of natural and anthropogenic forces. We found that population fragmentation, inbreeding and recent hybridization with domestic pigs have caused the spatial genetic structure to be heterogeneous at the local scale. Underlying local anthropogenic signatures, we found a deep genetic structure in the form of an arch-shaped cline extending from the Dinaric Alps, via Southeastern Europe and the Baltic states, to Western Europe and, finally, to the genetically diverged Iberian peninsula. These findings indicate that, despite considerable anthropogenic influence, the deeper, natural continental structure is still intact. Regarding the glacial refugia, our findings show a weaker signal than generally assumed, but are nevertheless suggestive of two main recolonization routes, with important roles for Southern France and the Balkans. Our results highlight the importance of applying genomic resources and framing genetic results within a species' demographic history and geographic distribution for a better understanding of the complex mixture of underlying processes.
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10
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The Application of 3D Imaging as an Appropriate Method of Wildlife Craniometry: Evaluation of Accuracy and Measurement Efficiency. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233256. [PMID: 36496776 PMCID: PMC9739653 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233256] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The suitability of CT and 3D scanners for craniometric proposes was tested using digital calipers when determining linear measurements, and a measuring cylinder was used for the accuracy of 3D printing of deer antlers obtained by the CT and 3D scanners. The resolution of digitized objects from a 3D scanner ranged from 0.008 mm to 0.122 mm. For mandibular dimensions, a positive deviation (p < 0.01) from the primary control measurement was recorded. The average antler volume measured with the cylinder was 60.47 cm3 at the first measurement, in the case of the CT scanner 61.62 cm3 and for the 3D scanner 64.76 cm3—both technologies exhibit a positive deviation from the primary measurement. Precise sensing and measurements can be used to evaluate the quality and evolution of wildlife populations, create digital museum collections, or to examine in detail certain traits such as antler and horn development or dentition.
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11
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Introduced, Mixed, and Peripheral: Conservation of Mitochondrial-DNA Lineages in the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) Population in the Urals. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14110916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Translocations and introductions are important events that allow organisms to overcome natural barriers. The genetic background of colonization success and genetic consequences of the establishment of populations in new environments are of great interest for predicting species’ colonization success. The wild boar has been introduced into many parts of the world. We analyzed sequences of the mitochondrial-DNA control region in the wild boars introduced into the Ural region and compared them with sequences from founder populations (from Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Far East). We found that the introduced population has high genetic diversity. Haplotypes from all the major phylogenetic clades were detected in the analyzed group of the animals from the Urals. In this group, no haplotypes identical to Far Eastern sequences were detectable despite a large number of founders from that region. The contribution of lineages originating from Eastern Europe was greater than expected from the proportions (%) of European and Asian animals in the founder populations. This is the first study on the genetic diversity and structure of a wild boar population of mixed origin at the northern periphery of this species’ geographical range.
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12
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Frank K, Szepesi K, Bleier N, Sugár L, Kusza S, Barta E, Horn P, Orosz L, Stéger V. Genetic traces of dispersal and admixture in red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations from the Carpathian Basin. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-022-01602-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAfter the last glacial, the Carpathian Basin was repopulated from either eastward or northward colonisation routes for various species; one of these was the emblematic member of the European megafauna, the red deer, Cervus elaphus. We analysed 303 red deer individuals from the middle of the region, in seven Hungarian game reserves, at ten microsatellite loci (C01, C229, T26, T108, T123, T156, T172, T193, T501, T507), to investigate the genetic diversity of these subpopulations. We discovered high levels of genetic diversity of red deer subpopulations; allelic richness values ranging 4.99–7.01, observed heterozygosity 0.729–0.800, polymorphic information content 0.722–0.806, and Shannon’s information index 1.668–2.064. Multi-locus analyses indicated population admixtures of various degrees that corresponded to geographical location, and complex genetic structures were shown by clustering. Populations in the south-western and the north-eastern parts of the region formed two highly separated groups, and the red deer from populations in between them were highly admixed (in western Pannonia/Transdanubia, where the Danube flows into the Carpathian Basin). This pattern corresponds to the distribution of mitochondrial as well as Y-chromosome lineages. Assignment tests showed that a large fraction of individuals (29.4%) are found outside of their population of origin, indicating that the dispersal of red deer is rather common, which could be expected considering the life course of the species.
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Rezić A, Safner T, Iacolina L, Bužan E, Šprem N. Traces of past reintroduction in genetic diversity: The case of the Balkan chamois (Mammalia, Artiodactyla). Zookeys 2022; 1116:57-70. [PMID: 36760981 PMCID: PMC9848663 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1116.84577] [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: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The translocation of wild animal species became a common practice worldwide to re-establish local populations threatened with extinction. Archaeological data confirm that chamois once lived in the Biokovo Mountain but, prior to their reintroduction in the 1960s, there was no written evidence of their recent existence in the area. The population was reintroduced in the period 1964-1969, when 48 individuals of Balkan chamois from the neighbouring mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina were released. The main objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the existing historical data on the origin of the Balkan chamois population from the Biokovo Mountain and to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the source and translocated populations 56 years after reintroduction. Sixteen microsatellite loci were used to analyse the genetic structure of three source chamois populations from Prenj, Čvrsnica and Čabulja Mountains and from Biokovo Mountain. Both STRUCTURE and GENELAND analyses showed a clear separation of the reintroduced population on Biokovo from Prenj's chamois and considerable genetic similarity between the Biokovo population and the Čvrsnica-Čabulja population. This suggests that the current genetic composition of the Biokovo population does not derive exclusively from Prenj, as suggested by the available literature and personal interviews, but also from Čvrsnica and Čabulja. GENELAND analysis recognised the Balkan chamois from Prenj as a separate cluster, distinct from the populations of Čvrsnica and Čabulja. Our results thus highlight the need to implement genetic monitoring of both reintroduced and source populations of endangered Balkan chamois to inform sustainable management and conservation strategies in order to maximise the chances of population persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rezić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Toni Safner
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia,University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biometrics, Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Laura Iacolina
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia,Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia,University of Primorska, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, Department of Biodiversity, Glagoljaška 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Elena Bužan
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia,Aalborg University, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Section of Biology and Environmental Science, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark
| | - Nikica Šprem
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Abstract
The recent and ever-growing problem of boar (Sus scrofa forms including wild boar, hybrid and feral pig) expansion is a very complex issue in wildlife management. The damages caused to biodiversity and the economies are addressed in different ways by the various countries, but research is needed to shed light on the causal factors of this emergency before defining a useful collaborative management policy. In this review, we screened more than 280 references published between 1975–2022, identifying and dealing with five hot factors (climate change, human induced habitat modifications, predator regulation on the prey, hybridization with domestic forms, and transfaunation) that could account for the boar expansion and its niche invasion. We also discuss some issues arising from this boar emergency, such as epizootic and zoonotic diseases or the depression of biodiversity. Finally, we provide new insights for the research and the development of management policies.
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15
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Genetic insights into an Apennine population of the Italian red deer. MAMMAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-022-00637-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe red deer Cervus elephus has been a common species in Italy until the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, when its distribution range started to considerably decrease, due to gradual deforestation and hunting pressure. Afterwards, the red deer has been reintroduced to many regions of the world, including Italy. In the Italian Apennines, the Acquerino-Cantagallo Natural Reserve (ACQUERINO) hosts one of the largest peninsular red deer populations, originated from a series of successful reintroductions. In this study, we meant to detect the level of genetic variability of Acquerino-Cantagallo Natural Reserve deer population and to investigate the genetic relationships with the other Italian and European populations. We identified five mitochondrial DNA control region (D-loop) haplotypes, four falling in lineage A and one falling in lineage C, derived from at least two maternal lineages, confirming that ACQUERINO population should be the result of multiple reintroductions. Haplotype diversity (H = 0.50) and nucleotide (π = 0.004) diversity were low, but included into the deer range values. ACQUERINO population showed low levels of genetic diversity when compared to other European and Mediterranean populations, confirming that this expanding population may have been generated from a low number of founders.
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Brivio F, Ciuti S, Pipia A, Grignolio S, Apollonio M. Livestock displace European mouflon from optimal foraging sites. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-022-01581-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe conflict between free-ranging livestock and wildlife is a serious conservation concern across rural communities worldwide. Livestock may affect wild herbivores via direct competition for resources due to spatial and diet overlap or via behavioural interference. It is imperative that we disentangle the effects of livestock on wildlife behaviour to obtain an empirical basis able to stir management and conservation decisions. Here, we studied the effect of livestock presence on the habitat selection in a free-ranging European mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) population in Sardinia, where the species is under strict protection. We collected spatial data on mouflon and livestock during two consecutive years to investigate whether the mouflon selection of key feeding grassland sites was negatively impacted by the livestock presence. We found that mouflon preferably selected grassland, and its selection significantly increased when grass was of better quality (greener). We showed that livestock presence led to the displacement of mouflon from such preferred feeding sites, an effect clearly exacerbated by livestock proximity. We indeed found that the selection of grassland by mouflon dropped significantly when the distance between livestock and mouflon was below ~ 650 m, providing a useful management threshold indication. Livestock presence in close proximity displaced mouflon to sub-optimal habitat, and its effects may have negative impact on the population dynamic of this species which is already characterized by low female productivity within harsh Mediterranean environment. Our results give clear management indications aimed at better managing livestock grazing within natural areas to ultimately improve wildlife conservation.
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Corlatti L, Iacolina L, Safner T, Apollonio M, Buzan E, Ferretti F, Hammer SE, Herrero J, Rossi L, Serrano E, Arnal MC, Brivio F, Chirichella R, Cotza A, Crestanello B, Espunyes J, Fernández de Luco D, Friedrich S, Gačić D, Grassi L, Grignolio S, Hauffe HC, Kavčić K, Kinser A, Lioce F, Malagnino A, Miller C, Peters W, Pokorny B, Reiner R, Rezić A, Stipoljev S, Tešija T, Yankov Y, Zwijacz‐Kozica T, Šprem N. Past, present and future of chamois science. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Corlatti
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Univ. of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Stelvio National Park Bormio Italy
| | - L. Iacolina
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, Univ. of Primorska Koper Slovenia
- Aalborg Univ., Dept of Chemistry and Biosciences Aalborg Denmark
| | - T. Safner
- Faculty of Agriculture, Dept of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biometrics, Univ. of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP‐BioDiv) Zagreb Croatia
| | - M. Apollonio
- Dept of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Sassari Sassari Italy
| | - E. Buzan
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, Univ. of Primorska Koper Slovenia
- Faculty of Environmental Protection Velenje Slovenia
| | - F. Ferretti
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Dept of Life Sciences, Univ. of Siena Siena Italy
| | - S. E. Hammer
- Inst. of Immunology, Dept of Pathobiology, Univ. of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Austria
| | - J. Herrero
- Dept of Agrarian and Environmental Science, Univ. of Zaragoza Huesca Spain
| | - L. Rossi
- Dept of Veterinary Sciences, Univ. of Turin Grugliasco (TO) Italy
| | - E. Serrano
- Wildlife Ecology&Health Group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Dept de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Univ. Autònoma de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - M. C. Arnal
- Dept of Animal Pathology, Univ. of Zaragoza Zaragoza Spain
| | - F. Brivio
- Dept of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Sassari Sassari Italy
| | - R. Chirichella
- Dept of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Sassari Sassari Italy
| | - A. Cotza
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Dept of Life Sciences, Univ. of Siena Siena Italy
| | - B. Crestanello
- Conservation Genomics Research Unit, Centre for Research and Innovation, Fondazione E. Mach S. Michele all'Adige (TN) Italy
| | - J. Espunyes
- Wildlife Conservation Medicine Research Group (WildCoM), Dept of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Univ. Autònoma de Barcelona Bellaterra Spain
| | | | - S. Friedrich
- Wildlife Research Unit (WFS), Agricultural Center Baden‐Württemberg (LAZBW) Aulendorf Germany
- Wildlife Sciences, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, Univ. of Goettingen Göttingen Germany
| | - D. Gačić
- Dept of Forest Resources Use, Faculty of Forestry, Univ. of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
| | - L. Grassi
- Dept of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), Univ. of Padua Legnaro Italy
| | - S. Grignolio
- Dept of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Univ. of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - H. C. Hauffe
- Conservation Genomics Research Unit, Centre for Research and Innovation, Fondazione E. Mach S. Michele all'Adige (TN) Italy
| | - K. Kavčić
- Faculty of Agriculture, Dept of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Univ. of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia
| | - A. Kinser
- Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung Hamburg Germany
| | - F. Lioce
- Conservation Genomics Research Unit, Centre for Research and Innovation, Fondazione E. Mach S. Michele all'Adige (TN) Italy
- Dept of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Univ. of Ferrara Ferrara Italy
| | - A. Malagnino
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA Grenoble France
- Dept of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea Univ. Swansea UK
| | - C. Miller
- Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung Hamburg Germany
| | - W. Peters
- Dept of Biodiversity, Conservation and Wildlife Management, Bavarian State Inst. of Forestry Freising Germany
| | - B. Pokorny
- Faculty of Environmental Protection Velenje Slovenia
- Slovenian Forestry Inst. Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - R. Reiner
- Inst. of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Univ. of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna Austria
- Berchtesgaden National Park Berchtesgaden Germany
| | - A. Rezić
- Faculty of Agriculture, Dept of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Univ. of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia
| | - S. Stipoljev
- Faculty of Agriculture, Dept of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Univ. of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia
| | - T. Tešija
- Faculty of Agriculture, Dept of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biometrics, Univ. of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia
| | - Y. Yankov
- Faculty of Agriculture, Dept of Biology and Aquaculture, Trakia Univ. Stara Zagora Bulgaria
| | | | - N. Šprem
- Faculty of Agriculture, Dept of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Univ. of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia
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Moroni B, Brambilla A, Rossi L, Meneguz PG, Bassano B, Tizzani P. Hybridization between Alpine Ibex and Domestic Goat in the Alps: A Sporadic and Localized Phenomenon? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060751. [PMID: 35327148 PMCID: PMC8944563 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is a protected wild ungulate. The species is known to have a low genetic variability and to occasionally suffer from local population decline as a consequence of epidemic diseases. Another, less investigated, threat for the species’ long-term conservation is represented by the hybridization with feral domestic goats that may breed with ibex if abandoned in the mountain at the end of the summer pasture. Further reproduction and the spread of hybrids may jeopardize the genetic integrity of wild Alpine ibex. By means of an online survey and using a network of experts, we mapped unpublished evidence on observed hybridization events between Alpine ibex and feral domestic goats. The results of this study suggested that hybrids are currently distributed in several countries, and their presence is not a rare event, with some clusters including 4–20 probable hybrids. This calls for more studies clearly quantifying hybrids in Alpine ibex colonies, but also highlights the need for conservation actions aimed at controlling this phenomenon, such as the effective management of domestic herds grazing in Alpine ibex core areas and clear guidelines on hybrid management. Abstract The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is a mountain ungulate living in the European Alps. Although being currently classified as a species of Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, a potential threat for its long-term conservation is introgression following hybridization with domestic goats (Capra hircus). Hybridization has been documented in Switzerland in captive and free ranging animals, although accurate data to assess the extent of this phenomenon in natural conditions in the Alps are lacking. Using an online survey and a network of experts, we collected and mapped unpublished evidence of hybridization events that occurred between Alpine ibex and feral domestic goats from 2000 to 2021. The results of this study showed that hybrids are distributed in most of the Alpine countries, and their presence is not a sporadic event, with some clusters including 4–20 probable hybrids. Our results illustrated the need for establishing a standardized and effective protocol to identify hybrids in the field (such as a formal description of the morphological traits characterizing hybrids), as well as clear guidelines for hybrid management. Even more importantly, this study also highlighted the need for actions aimed at avoiding hybridization, such as the effective management of domestic herds grazing in Alpine ibex core areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Moroni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (L.R.); (P.G.M.); (P.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alice Brambilla
- Alpine Wildlife Research Centre, Gran Paradiso National Park, 10080 Noasca, Italy; (A.B.); (B.B.)
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (L.R.); (P.G.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Pier Giuseppe Meneguz
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (L.R.); (P.G.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Bruno Bassano
- Alpine Wildlife Research Centre, Gran Paradiso National Park, 10080 Noasca, Italy; (A.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Paolo Tizzani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (L.R.); (P.G.M.); (P.T.)
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Introgressive hybridisation between domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) and endemic Corsican wild boars (S. s. meridionalis): effects of human-mediated interventions. Heredity (Edinb) 2022; 128:279-290. [PMID: 35273382 PMCID: PMC8986821 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-022-00517-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to the intensified domestication process with artificial trait selection, introgressive hybridisation between domestic and wild species poses a management problem. Traditional free-range livestock husbandry, as practiced in Corsica and Sardinia, is known to facilitate hybridisation between wild boars and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa). Here, we assessed the genetic distinctness and genome-wide domestic pig ancestry levels of the Corsican wild boar subspecies S. s. meridionalis, with reference to its Sardinian conspecifics, employing a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay and mitochondrial control region (mtCR) haplotypes. We also assessed the reliance of morphological criteria and the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) coat colour gene to identify individuals with domestic introgression. While Corsican wild boars showed closest affinity to Sardinian and Italian wild boars compared to other European populations based on principal component analysis, the observation of previously undescribed mtCR haplotypes and high levels of nuclear divergence (Weir’s θ > 0.14) highlighted the genetic distinctness of Corsican S. s. meridionalis. Across three complementary analyses of mixed ancestry (i.e., STRUCTURE, PCADMIX, and ELAI), proportions of domestic pig ancestry were estimated at 9.5% in Corsican wild boars, which was significantly higher than in wild boars in Sardinia, where free-range pig keeping was banned in 2012. Comparison of morphologically pure- and hybrid-looking Corsican wild boars suggested a weak correlation between morphological criteria and genome-wide domestic pig ancestry. The study highlights the usefulness of molecular markers to assess the direct impacts of management practices on gene flow between domestic and wild species.
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20
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The Balkan chamois, an archipelago or a peninsula? Insights from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. CONSERV GENET 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01434-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Zenke P, Zorkóczy OK, Lehotzky P, Ózsvári L, Pádár Z. Molecular Sexing and Species Detection of Antlered European Hunting Game for Forensic Purposes. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030246. [PMID: 35158570 PMCID: PMC8833381 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The reasons behind illegal hunting can be widely different. There are also tricky methods that hunters use in the attempt to legalize their illegally-acquired trophies, specifically, introducing them in later seasons, and registering the eviscerated corpses as hinds. During certain periods of the year, hunters are only able to acquire a license for the shooting of female deer exclusively, with the male-hunting season beginning later. The eviscerated and decapitated carcass of the animal delivered to the wild game processing house cold store can be falsely registered as a female based on phenotype. If the hunting association suspects that the animal’s sex has been falsely reported, a forensic genetic investigation can be proposed. In other criminal events, there are no carcasses at all. When several biological remains left on the crime scene need to be tested, a fast and cost-effective detection of a given species or species-group might be substantial before subsequent analysis. Therefore, sex and species detection can provide an early-stage credibility to the resolution of illegal activities related to trophy animals, and additionally may disclose potential poaching disputes. Abstract Molecular sexing techniques are widely applied in conservation biology, although the range of forensically validated methods is fairly limited. The primary aim of this work was to develop forensically validated assays, using two PCR panels for sex and species assignment for the abundant antlered European game species: red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama). Segments of the SRY and Amelogenin X/Y genes for sex determination, additionally species-specific cytochrome b regions for species detection were targeted and separately amplified in two multiplex reactions. These assays can reliably analyze trace amounts of DNA. The results of both can easily be visualized and interpreted practically, either on agarose gel or by capillary electrophoresis. These simple, fast molecular assays are able to affect the early-stage resolution of disputed or unsolved poaching cases, without the need of individualization or sequencing of forensic samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Zenke
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István u. 2., H-1078 Budapest, Hungary;
- Correspondence:
| | - Orsolya Krisztina Zorkóczy
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István u. 2., H-1078 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Pál Lehotzky
- Hungarian Hunters’ National Chamber, Medve u. 34-40., H-1027 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - László Ózsvári
- Department of Veterinary Forensics and Economics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István u. 2., H-1078 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Zsolt Pádár
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., H-7624 Pecs, Hungary;
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22
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Combe FJ, Jaster L, Ricketts A, Haukos D, Hope AG. Population genomics of free-ranging Great Plains white-tailed and mule deer reflects a long history of interspecific hybridization. Evol Appl 2022; 15:111-131. [PMID: 35126651 PMCID: PMC8792484 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13330] [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: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridization is a natural process at species-range boundaries that may variably promote the speciation process or break down species barriers but minimally will influence management outcomes of distinct populations. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) have broad and overlapping distributions in North America and a recognized capacity for interspecific hybridization. In response to contemporary environmental change to any of one or multiple still-unknown factors, mule deer range is contracting westward accompanied by a westward expansion of white-tailed deer, leading to increasing interactions, opportunities for gene flow, and associated conservation implications. To quantify genetic diversity, phylogenomic structure, and dynamics of hybridization in sympatric populations of white-tailed and mule deer, we used mitochondrial cytochrome b data coupled with SNP loci discovered with double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. We recovered 25,018 SNPs across 92 deer samples from both species, collected from two regions of western Kansas. Eight individuals with unambiguous external morphology representing both species were of hybrid origin (8.7%), and represented the product of multi-generational backcrossing. Mitochondrial data showed both ancient and recent directional discordance with morphological species assignments, reflecting a legacy of mule deer males mating with white-tailed deer females. Mule deer had lower genetic diversity than white-tailed deer, and both mitochondrial and nuclear data suggest contemporary mule deer effective population decline. Landscape genetic analyses show relative isolation between the two study regions for white-tailed deer, but greater connectivity among mule deer, with predominant movement from north to south. Collectively, our results suggest a long history of gene flow between these species in the Great Plains and hint at evolutionary processes that purge incompatible functional genomic elements as a result of hybridization. Surviving hybrids evidently may be reproductive, but with unknown consequences for the future integrity of these species, population trajectories, or relative susceptibility to emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fraser J. Combe
- Division of BiologyKansas State UniversityManhattanKansasUSA
| | - Levi Jaster
- Kansas Department of Wildlife and ParksTopekaKansasUSA
| | - Andrew Ricketts
- Department of Horticulture and Natural Sciences, Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise ManagementKansas State UniversityManhattanKansasUSA
| | - David Haukos
- Division of BiologyU.S. Geological SurveyKansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitKansas State UniversityManhattanKansasUSA
| | - Andrew G. Hope
- Division of BiologyKansas State UniversityManhattanKansasUSA
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Adavoudi R, Pilot M. Consequences of Hybridization in Mammals: A Systematic Review. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:50. [PMID: 35052393 PMCID: PMC8774782 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridization, defined as breeding between two distinct taxonomic units, can have an important effect on the evolutionary patterns in cross-breeding taxa. Although interspecific hybridization has frequently been considered as a maladaptive process, which threatens species genetic integrity and survival via genetic swamping and outbreeding depression, in some cases hybridization can introduce novel adaptive variation and increase fitness. Most studies to date focused on documenting hybridization events and analyzing their causes, while relatively little is known about the consequences of hybridization and its impact on the parental species. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic review of studies on hybridization in mammals published in 2010-2021, and identified 115 relevant studies. Of 13 categories of hybridization consequences described in these studies, the most common negative consequence (21% of studies) was genetic swamping and the most common positive consequence (8%) was the gain of novel adaptive variation. The total frequency of negative consequences (49%) was higher than positive (13%) and neutral (38%) consequences. These frequencies are biased by the detection possibilities of microsatellite loci, the most common genetic markers used in the papers assessed. As negative outcomes are typically easier to demonstrate than positive ones (e.g., extinction vs hybrid speciation), they may be over-represented in publications. Transition towards genomic studies involving both neutral and adaptive variation will provide a better insight into the real impacts of hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Małgorzata Pilot
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Nadwiślańska 108, 80-680 Gdańsk, Poland;
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Folio DM, Gil J, Caudron A, Labonne J. Genotype-by-environment interactions drive the maintenance of genetic variation in a Salmo trutta L. hybrid zone. Evol Appl 2021; 14:2698-2711. [PMID: 34815748 PMCID: PMC8591331 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Allopatric gene pools can evolve in different directions through adaptive and nonadaptive processes and are therefore a source of intraspecific diversity. The connection of these previously isolated gene pools through human intervention can lead to intraspecific diversity loss, through extirpation of native populations or hybridization. However, the mechanisms leading to these situations are not always explicitly documented and are thus rarely used to manage intraspecific diversity. In particular, genotype-by-environment (GxE) interactions can drive postzygotic reproductive isolation mechanisms that may result in a mosaic of diversity patterns, depending on the local environment. We test this hypothesis using a salmonid species (Salmo trutta) in the Mediterranean (MED) area, where intensive stocking from non-native Atlantic (ATL) origins has led to various outcomes of hybridization with the native MED lineage, going from MED resilience to total extirpation via full hybridization. We investigate patterns of offspring survival at egg stage in natural environments, based on parental genotypes in interaction with river temperature, to detect potential GxE interactions. Our results show a strong influence of maternal GxE interaction on embryonic survival, mediated by maternal effect through egg size, and a weak influence of paternal GxE interaction. In particular, when egg size is large and temperature is cold, the survival rate of offspring originating from MED females is three times higher than that of ATL females' offspring. Because river temperatures show contrast at small scale, this cold adaptation for MED females' offspring constitutes a potent postzygotic mechanism to explain small-scale spatial heterogeneity in diversity observed in MED areas where ATL fish have been stocked. It also indicates that management efforts could be specifically targeted at the environments that actively favor native intraspecific diversity through eco-evolutionary processes such as postzygotic selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorinda Marie Folio
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l’AdourUMR INRAE‐UPPAEcobiopSaint‐Pée‐sur‐NivelleFrance
- SCIMABIO InterfaceThonon‐les‐BainsFrance
| | - Jordi Gil
- UMR CARRTELINRAEUSMBThonon‐les‐BainsFrance
- Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels Rhône‐AlpesVogüeFrance
| | | | - Jacques Labonne
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l’AdourUMR INRAE‐UPPAEcobiopSaint‐Pée‐sur‐NivelleFrance
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Different patterns of human activities in nature during Covid-19 pandemic and African swine fever outbreak confirm direct impact on wildlife disruption. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20791. [PMID: 34675330 PMCID: PMC8531377 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99862-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Implementation of various restrictions to eradicate viral diseases has globally affected human activity and subsequently nature. But how can the altered routines of human activity (restrictions, lockdowns) affect wildlife behaviour? This study compared the differences between human and wildlife occurrences in the study forest area with acreage of 5430.6 ha in 2018 (African swine fever outbreak, complete entrance ban), 2019 (standard pattern) and 2020 (COVID-19 restrictions) during the breeding season. The number of visitors was lower by 64% in 2018 (non-respecting of the entry ban by forest visitors) compared to standard 2019, while in 2020, the number of visitors increased to 151%. In the COVID-19 period, distinct peaks in the number of visitors were observed between 8-11 AM and 4-7 PM. The peaks of wildlife activity were recorded between 4-7 AM and 9-12 PM. Animals avoided the localities that were visited by humans during the people-influenced time (24 h after people visit), which confirmed the direct negative impact of human activities on wildlife.
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Guerrini M, Panayides P, Niktoreh Mofrad N, Kassinis N, Ioannou I, Forcina G, Hadjigerou P, Barbanera F. Spatial genetic structure and Ovis haplogroup as a tool for an adaptive conservation management of the endangered Cyprus mouflon. ZOOLOGY 2021; 148:125959. [PMID: 34474331 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2021.125959] [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: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion) is the largest wild terrestrial mammal of Cyprus. Regarded as the local flagship species, its population range is limited to the mountainous Paphos Forest and adjacent areas including part of Troodos National Forest Park (> 700 Km2). This species, protected by both national and international legislation, is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with livestock intrusion, poaching and habitat loss as the main threatening factors. We determined the spatial genetic structure by investigating sexes separately and shed further light on the Cyprus mouflon placement among Ovis haplogroups (HGs) to enforce its protection within an adaptive conservation framework. We genotyped 108 samples collected across the entire species' range at both14 loci of the microsatellite DNA and the mitochondrial DNA Control Region (CR). Microsatellite genotyping indicated that the wild population retained low genetic variability, which, however, was not associated with a level of inbreeding raising particular concern (FIS = 0.12). An overall weak spatial genetic structure was disclosed, consistently with the limited extension of the mouflon range, the lack of significant physical barriers to dispersal and the intense gene flow mostly occurring along a northeast-southwest axis across the forest. Nevertheless, evidences of structure were found for females in compliance with their philopatric behaviour. The disclosure of unique features compared to Mediterranean and Near East conspecifics, such as the occurrence of a six-fold 76 bp-long repeated motif in the Cyprus mouflon CR, along with the outcome of a phylogenetic reconstruction (based on a far higher number of Ovis GenBank records and Cyprus haplotypes than in previous studies) inspired the proposal of a new haplogroup (HGC2) which included the Anatolian mouflon (O. g. anatolica, former HGX) as sister taxon. While both high habitat heterogeneity and low human disturbance were the main drivers in determining the overall spatial structure, future conservation efforts to preserve this valuable genetic resource should focus on avoiding possible introgressive hybridisation with co-grazing livestock to the edge of its range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Guerrini
- Department of Biology, Via A. Volta 4, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Giovanni Forcina
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | | | - Filippo Barbanera
- Department of Biology, Via A. Volta 4, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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Šprem N, Stipoljev S, Ugarković D, Buzan E. First genetic analysis of introduced axis deer from Croatia. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00164-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Satta V, Mereu P, Barbato M, Pirastru M, Bassu G, Manca L, Naitana S, Leoni GG. Genetic characterization and implications for conservation of the last autochthonous Mouflon population in Europe. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14729. [PMID: 34282202 PMCID: PMC8289818 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94134-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Population genetic studies provide accurate information on population structure, connectivity, and hybridization. These are key elements to identify units for conservation and define wildlife management strategies aimed to maintain and restore biodiversity. The Mediterranean island of Sardinia hosts one of the last autochthonous mouflon populations, descending from the wild Neolithic ancestor. The first mouflon arrived in Sardinia ~ 7000 years ago and thrived across the island until the twentieth century, when anthropogenic factors led to population fragmentation. We analysed the three main allopatric Sardinian mouflon sub-populations, namely: the native sub-populations of Montes Forest and Mount Tonneri, and the reintroduced sub-population of Mount Lerno. We investigated the spatial genetic structure of the Sardinian mouflon based on the parallel analysis of 14 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci and mitochondrial D-loop sequences. The Montes Forest sub-population was found to harbour the ancestral haplotype in the phylogeny of European mouflon. We detected high levels of relatedness in all the sub-populations and a mitochondrial signature of hybridization between the Mount Lerno sub-population and domestic sheep. Our findings provide useful insights to protect such an invaluable genetic heritage from the risk of genetic depletion by promoting controlled inter-population exchange and drawing informed repopulation plans sourcing from genetically pure mouflon stocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Satta
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Paolo Mereu
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Mario Barbato
- grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Department of Animal Science, Food and Technology–DIANA, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Monica Pirastru
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Laura Manca
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Naitana
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giuseppe Leoni
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Pérez-González J, Carranza J, Martínez R, Benítez-Medina JM. Host Genetic Diversity and Infectious Diseases. Focus on Wild Boar, Red Deer and Tuberculosis. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1630. [PMID: 34072907 PMCID: PMC8229303 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Host genetic diversity tends to limit disease spread in nature and buffers populations against epidemics. Genetic diversity in wildlife is expected to receive increasing attention in contexts related to disease transmission and human health. Ungulates such as wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) are important zoonotic hosts that can be precursors to disease emergence and spread in humans. Tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease with relevant consequences and can present high prevalence in wild boar and red deer populations. Here, we review studies on the genetic diversity of ungulates and determine to what extent these studies consider its importance on the spread of disease. This assessment also focused on wild boar, red deer, and tuberculosis. We found a disconnection between studies treating genetic diversity and those dealing with infectious diseases. Contrarily, genetic diversity studies in ungulates are mainly concerned with conservation. Despite the existing disconnection between studies on genetic diversity and studies on disease emergence and spread, the knowledge gathered in each discipline can be applied to the other. The bidirectional applications are illustrated in wild boar and red deer populations from Spain, where TB is an important threat for wildlife, livestock, and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Pérez-González
- Biology and Ethology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Juan Carranza
- Wildlife Research Unit (UIRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Remigio Martínez
- Infectious Pathology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (R.M.); (J.M.B.-M.)
| | - José Manuel Benítez-Medina
- Infectious Pathology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (R.M.); (J.M.B.-M.)
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30
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Iacolina L, Buzan E, Safner T, Bašić N, Geric U, Tesija T, Lazar P, Arnal MC, Chen J, Han J, Šprem N. A Mother's Story, Mitogenome Relationships in the Genus Rupicapra. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041065. [PMID: 33918642 PMCID: PMC8069603 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Two species of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra and R. pyrenaica) are currently recognized by taxonomy and further subdivided into seven and three subspecies, respectively. However, recent research based on molecular markers finds this classification questionable. We aim to increase the resolution of published research on chamois phylogeny by including mitogenomes of all available subspecies, including the previously unpublished mitogenomes of R. r. balcanica and R. r. tatrica subspecies. The inferred phylogeny based on the full mitogenomes confirms the previously reported genus subdivision in three clades and its monophyletic positioning within the Caprinae. Phylogeny and taxonomy of Rupicapra species thus remain controversial prompting for the inclusion of archeological remains to solve the controversy. Abstract Although the two species of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra and R. pyrenaica) are currently classified as least-concern by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), inconsistencies on the subspecies classification reported in literature make it challenging to assess the conservation status of the single subspecies. Previous studies relying on mitochondrial genes, sometimes in combination with nuclear or Y-chromosome markers, reported the presence of clusters corresponding to the geographic distribution but highlighting ambiguities in the genus phylogeny. Here we report novel de novo assembled sequences of the mitochondrial genome from nine individuals, including previously unpublished R. r. balcanica and R. r. tatrica subspecies, and use them to untangle the genus phylogeny. Our results based on the full mitogenome inferred phylogeny confirm the previously reported genus subdivision in three clades and its monophyletic positioning within the Caprinae. Phylogeny and taxonomy of Rupicapra species thus remain controversial prompting for the inclusion of archeological remains to solve the controversy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Iacolina
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.I.); (T.T.); (N.Š.)
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia; (E.B.); (N.B.); (U.G.)
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Elena Buzan
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia; (E.B.); (N.B.); (U.G.)
- Environmental Protection College, 3320 Velenje, Slovenia
| | - Toni Safner
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.I.); (T.T.); (N.Š.)
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), 1000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-91-542-8870
| | - Nino Bašić
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia; (E.B.); (N.B.); (U.G.)
- Andrej Marušič Institute, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
- Institute of Mathematics, Physics, and Mechanics, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urska Geric
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia; (E.B.); (N.B.); (U.G.)
| | - Toni Tesija
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.I.); (T.T.); (N.Š.)
| | - Peter Lazar
- Department of Breeding and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, Ecology and Cynology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 04181 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - María Cruz Arnal
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Jianhai Chen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Jianlin Han
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Nikica Šprem
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.I.); (T.T.); (N.Š.)
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31
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García NC, Robinson WD. Current and Forthcoming Approaches for Benchmarking Genetic and Genomic Diversity. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.622603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The current attrition of biodiversity extends beyond loss of species and unique populations to steady loss of a vast genomic diversity that remains largely undescribed. Yet the accelerating development of new techniques allows us to survey entire genomes ever faster and cheaper, to obtain robust samples from a diversity of sources including degraded DNA and residual DNA in the environment, and to address conservation efforts in new and innovative ways. Here we review recent studies that highlight the importance of carefully considering where to prioritize collection of genetic samples (e.g., organisms in rapidly changing landscapes or along edges of geographic ranges) and what samples to collect and archive (e.g., from individuals of little-known subspecies or populations, even of species not currently considered endangered). Those decisions will provide the sample infrastructure to detect the disappearance of certain genotypes or gene complexes, increases in inbreeding levels, and loss of genomic diversity as environmental conditions change. Obtaining samples from currently endangered, protected, and rare species can be particularly difficult, thus we also focus on studies that use new, non-invasive ways of obtaining genomic samples and analyzing them in these cases where other sampling options are highly constrained. Finally, biological collections archiving such samples face an inherent contradiction: their main goal is to preserve biological material in good shape so it can be used for scientific research for centuries to come, yet the technologies that can make use of such materials are advancing faster than collections can change their standardized practices. Thus, we also discuss current and potential new practices in biological collections that might bolster their usefulness for future biodiversity conservation research.
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Sohn HJ, Mitchell G, Lee YH, Kim HJ, Park KJ, Staskevicus A, Walther I, Soutyrine A, Balachandran A. Experimental oral transmission of chronic wasting disease to sika deer ( Cervus nippon). Prion 2020; 14:271-277. [PMID: 33300452 PMCID: PMC7734081 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2020.1857038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects a broad array of cervid species and continues to be detected in an expanding geographic range. Initially introduced into the Republic of Korea through the importation of CWD-infected elk (Cervus canadensis), additional cases of CWD were subsequently detected in farmed Korean elk and sika deer (Cervus nippon). Wild and farmed sika deer are found in many regions of Asia, North America, and Europe, although natural transmission to this species has not been detected outside of the Republic of Korea. In this study, the oral transmission of CWD to sika deer was investigated using material from CWD-affected elk. Pathological prion (PrPCWD) immunoreactivity was detected in oropharyngeal lymphoid tissues of one sika deer at 3.9 months post-inoculation (mpi) and was more widely distributed in a second sika deer examined at 10.9 mpi. The remaining four sika deer progressed to clinical disease between 21 and 24 mpi. Analysis of PrPCWD tissue distribution in clinical sika deer revealed widespread deposition in central and peripheral nervous systems, lymphoreticular tissues, and the gastrointestinal tract. Prion protein gene (PRNP) sequences of these sika deer were identical and consistent with those reported in natural sika deer populations. These findings demonstrate the efficient oral transmission of CWD from elk to sika deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Joo Sohn
- Foreign Animal Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency , Gimcheon-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Gordon Mitchell
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Ottawa, Canada
| | - Yoon Hee Lee
- Foreign Animal Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency , Gimcheon-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Jin Kim
- Foreign Animal Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency , Gimcheon-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Je Park
- Foreign Animal Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency , Gimcheon-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Antanas Staskevicus
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ines Walther
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Ottawa, Canada
| | - Andrei Soutyrine
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Ottawa, Canada
| | - Aru Balachandran
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Ottawa, Canada
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de Jong JF, van Hooft P, Megens HJ, Crooijmans RPMA, de Groot GA, Pemberton JM, Huisman J, Bartoš L, Iacolina L, van Wieren SE, Ydenberg RC, Prins HHT. Fragmentation and Translocation Distort the Genetic Landscape of Ungulates: Red Deer in the Netherlands. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.535715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Plewa B, Jackowiak H. Macro- and microscopic study on the tongue and lingual papillae of Bison bonasus hybrid as an interspecific species (Bos taurus × Bison bonasus). Microsc Res Tech 2020; 83:1241-1250. [PMID: 32583920 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays the processes of crossing of different mammalian species are well characterized in light of genetics, and possibility of reproduction. Generally, lack detailed studies on changes in anatomy and histology of internal systems of hybrids. Bison bonasus hybrid is an interspecific species between the bull of European bison (Bison bonasus), and female of domesticated cattle (Bos taurus). To study the anatomy of tongue and distribution of lingual papillae on Bison bonasus hybrid tongue, a stereomicroscopic and scanning electron microscopic observations was conducted. We aimed to study the appearance of macro- and microscopic traits in relation to parental species and other bovids. Results indicate that Bison bonasus hybrid tongue possesses characteristic traits for parental species and ruminants from Bovidae family and also species-specific features differ from mentioned animals. Specific new traits in hybrid are: V-shaped arrangement of lingual papillae on ventral surface of the tongue, rosette arrangement of conical papillae on the top of lingual prominence, bigger number of vallate papillae and closer arrangement of vallate papillae. In hybrid observed also the appearance of combination of parental traits. Similar to European bison are rectangular shape of lingual prominence and absence of filiform papillae on the root of tongue. Presence of lateral processes of filiform papillae on the apex of tongue, and arrangement of vallate papillae into two rows corresponded to cattle. Development of new morphological features of tongue and its mucosal papillae in Bison bonasus hybrid opens new issue for future studies on organs of digestive system in animals after hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Plewa
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Hanna Jackowiak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Species assignment in forensics and the challenge of hybrids. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2020; 48:102333. [PMID: 32615399 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Forensic identification of species is in growing demand, particularly from law enforcement authorities in the areas of wildlife, fisheries and hunting as well as food authentication. Within the non-human forensic genetics expanding applications' field, the major current difficulties result from the lack of standards and genetic databases as well as the poor or absent taxonomic definition of several groups. Here we focus on a forensically important and overlooked problem in species identification: the exclusive use of uniparental markers, a common practice in current genetic barcoding methodologies, may lead to incorrect or impossible assignment whenever hybrids can occur (frequently, not only in domesticates, but also in the wild). For example, if one of these cases involves a mammal, and mitochondrial DNA alone is used (which in instances may be the only type of DNA sequence available in databases), the sample will be wrongfully assigned to the female parental species, completely missing the detection of a possible hybrid animal. The importance of this issue in the forensic contributions to food authentication, wildlife and conservation genetics is analyzed. We present a cautionary guidance on the forensic reporting of results avoiding this error.
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Queirós J, Gortázar C, Alves PC. Deciphering Anthropogenic Effects on the Genetic Background of the Red Deer in the Iberian Peninsula. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Bertolino S, Sciandra C, Bosso L, Russo D, Lurz PW, Di Febbraro M. Spatially explicit models as tools for implementing effective management strategies for invasive alien mammals. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Bertolino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology University of Turin Torino Italy
| | - Chiara Sciandra
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology University of Turin Torino Italy
| | - Luciano Bosso
- Wildlife Research Unit Dipartimento di Agraria Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Portici (Na) Italy
| | - Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit Dipartimento di Agraria Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Portici (Na) Italy
- School of Biological Sciences University of Bristol Bristol UK
| | - Peter W.W. Lurz
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The University of Edinburgh Easter Bush Campus Roslin Midlothian EH25 9RG UK
| | - Mirko Di Febbraro
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio Università del Molise Pesche (Isernia) Italy
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38
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Identification of Ancestry Informative Marker (AIM) Panels to Assess Hybridisation between Feral and Domestic Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10040582. [PMID: 32235592 PMCID: PMC7222383 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Once present in the entirety of Europe, mouflon (wild sheep) became extinct due to intense hunting, but remnant populations survived and became feral on the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Although now protected by regional laws, Sardinian mouflon is threatened by crossbreeding with domestic sheep causing genetic hybridisation. The spread of domestic genes can be detrimental for wild populations as it dilutes the genetic features that characterise them. This work aimed to identify diagnostic tools that could be applied to monitor the level of hybridisation between mouflon and domestic sheep. Tens of thousands of genetic markers known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened and we identified the smallest number of SNPs necessary to discriminate between pure mouflon and sheep. We produced four SNP panels of different sizes which were able to assess the hybridisation level of a mouflon and we verified that the SNP panels efficacy is independent of the domestic sheep breed involved in the hybrid. The implementation of these results into actual diagnostic tools will help the conservation of this unique and irreplaceable mouflon population, and the methodology applied can easily be transferred to other case studies of interest. Abstract Hybridisation of wild populations with their domestic counterparts can lead to the loss of wildtype genetic integrity, outbreeding depression, and loss of adaptive features. The Mediterranean island of Sardinia hosts one of the last extant autochthonous European mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) populations. Although conservation policies, including reintroduction plans, have been enforced to preserve Sardinian mouflon, crossbreeding with domestic sheep has been documented. We identified panels of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that could act as ancestry informative markers able to assess admixture in feral x domestic sheep hybrids. The medium-density SNP array genotyping data of Sardinian mouflon and domestic sheep (O. aries aries) showing pure ancestry were used as references. We applied a two-step selection algorithm to this data consisting of preselection via Principal Component Analysis followed by a supervised machine learning classification method based on random forest to develop SNP panels of various sizes. We generated ancestry informative marker (AIM) panels and tested their ability to assess admixture in mouflon x domestic sheep hybrids both in simulated and real populations of known ancestry proportions. All the AIM panels recorded high correlations with the ancestry proportion computed using the full medium-density SNP array. The AIM panels proposed here may be used by conservation practitioners as diagnostic tools to exclude hybrids from reintroduction plans and improve conservation strategies for mouflon populations.
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Microsatellite based assignment reveals history of extirpated mountain ungulate. Genetica 2020; 148:41-46. [PMID: 31983008 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-020-00084-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
During the early 1900s, Northern chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) populations in the northern Dinaric Mountains were extirpated. During the 1960s and 1970s there were several reintroductions of individuals from two Northern chamois subspecies (Alpine chamois, R. r. rupicapra and Balkan chamois, R. r. balcanica) from neighbouring areas in the attempt to re-establish the population. Accurate taxonomic classification, at subspecies level, of the autochthonous extirpated population was not known. To clarify which subspecies was present before reintroduction, we genotyped four male chamois skulls originating from Velebit Mountain, collected around 25 years before the population local extinction. DNA was successfully extracted from middle layer and outer sheath of horns. Assignment based on microsatellite loci, using both Bayesian clustering in STRUCTURE (with q values between 0.55 and 0.73) and DAPC (with individual membership probabilities of 0.99 and 1.00) indicated higher assessed likelihood for the Alpine subspecies.
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Khederzadeh S, Kusza S, Huang C, Markov N, Scandura M, Babaev E, Šprem N, Seryodkin IV, Paule L, Esmailizadeh A, Xie H, Zhang Y. Maternal genomic variability of the wild boar ( Sus scrofa) reveals the uniqueness of East-Caucasian and Central Italian populations. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:9467-9478. [PMID: 31534669 PMCID: PMC6745674 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The phylogeography of the European wild boar was mainly determined by postglacial recolonization patterns from Mediterranean refugia after the last ice age. Here we present the first analysis of SNP polymorphism within the complete mtDNA genome of West Russian (n = 8), European (n = 64), and North African (n = 5) wild boar. Our analyses provided evidence of unique lineages in the East-Caucasian (Dagestan) region and in Central Italy. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that these lineages are basal to the other European mtDNA sequences. We also show close connection between the Western Siberian and Eastern European populations. Also, the North African samples were clustered with the Iberian population. Phylogenetic trees and migration modeling revealed a high proximity of Dagestan sequences to those of Central Italy and suggested possible gene flow between Western Asia and Southern Europe which was not directly related to Northern and Central European lineages. Our results support the presence of old maternal lineages in two Southern glacial refugia (i.e., Caucasus and the Italian peninsula), as a legacy of an ancient wave of colonization of Southern Europe from an Eastern origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saber Khederzadeh
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Szilvia Kusza
- Animal Genetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental ManagementUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Cui‐Ping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Kunming College of Life ScienceUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Nickolay Markov
- Department of Game Animals' Ecology, Institute of Plant and Animal EcologyUral Branch of Russian Academy of SciencesYekaterinburgRussia
| | - Massimo Scandura
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of SassariSassariItaly
| | - Elmar Babaev
- Caspian Institute of Biological ResourcesMakhachkalaRussia
| | - Nikica Šprem
- Department of Fisheries, Beekeeping, Game Management and Special Zoology, Faculty of AgricultureUniversity of ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Ivan V. Seryodkin
- Pacific Geographical Institute FEB RASVladivostokRussia
- Far Eastern Federal UniversityVladivostokRussia
| | - Ladislav Paule
- Faculty of ForestryTechnical University in ZvolenZvolenSlovakia
| | - Ali Esmailizadeh
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of AgricultureShahid Bahonar University of KermanKermanIran
| | - Hai‐Bing Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Ya‐Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
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Corlatti L, Sanz-Aguilar A, Tavecchia G, Gugiatti A, Pedrotti L. Unravelling the sex- and age-specific impact of poaching mortality with multievent modeling. Front Zool 2019; 16:20. [PMID: 31210776 PMCID: PMC6567384 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-019-0321-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poaching is a prominent source of ‘hidden hurdles’, cryptic impacts of human activities that may hinder the conservation of animal populations. Estimating poaching mortality is challenging, as the evidence for illegal killing is not outwardly obvious. Using resighting and recovery data collected on 141 marked red deer Cervus elaphus within the Stelvio National Park (central Italian Alps), we show how multievent models allow to assess the direct impacts of illegal harvesting on age- and sex-specific survival, accounting for uncertainty over mortality causes. Results Mortality caused by poaching was consistently higher for males than for females in all age classes. In males, the probability of dying from poaching was higher for extreme age classes, while in females all age classes showed fairly similar values of poaching mortality. The strong bias in sex-specific poaching mortality was possibly due to trophy killing in adult males and ‘bushmeat-like’ killing for private or commercial gain in young males and in females. Conclusions A robust assessment of age- and sex-specific prevalence of poaching in wildlife populations is pivotal when illegal killing is of conservation concern. This provides timely information on what segment of the population is most likely to be affected. Besides obvious demographic consequences on small populations, age- and sex-biased poaching prevalence may contrast with the need to maintain ecosystem complexity and may alter behavioral responses to human presence. The information provided by multievent models, whose flexibility makes them adaptable to many systems where individual-based data is part of population monitoring, offers a support to design appropriate strategies for the conservation of wildlife populations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12983-019-0321-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Corlatti
- 1Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.,Stelvio National Park, Via De Simoni 42, 23032 Bormio, Italy.,3Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 19, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ana Sanz-Aguilar
- 4Animal Demography and Ecology Unit, Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Islas Baleares Spain.,5Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Group, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Giacomo Tavecchia
- 4Animal Demography and Ecology Unit, Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Islas Baleares Spain
| | | | - Luca Pedrotti
- Stelvio National Park, Via De Simoni 42, 23032 Bormio, Italy
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Kavčić K, Brivio F, Grignolio S, Ugarković D, Stankić I, Safner T, Apollonio M, Šprem N. Is chamois hybridization in the northern Dinaric Mountains an important factor for horn development? WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Krešimir Kavčić
- K. Kavčić and N. Šprem, Dept of Fisheries, Beekeeping, Game Management and Special
| | - Francesca Brivio
- F. Brivio, S. Grignolio and M. Apollonio, Dept of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Sassari, Sassari, It
| | - Stefano Grignolio
- F. Brivio, S. Grignolio and M. Apollonio, Dept of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Sassari, Sassari, It
| | - Damir Ugarković
- D. Ugarković, Dept of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, Univ. of Zagreb, Zagreb,
| | - Igor Stankić
- I. Stankić, Energy and Environmental Protection Inst. (EKONERG), Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Toni Safner
- T. Safner, Dept of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biometrics, Faculty of Agriculture, Univ. of Zagreb,
| | - Marco Apollonio
- F. Brivio, S. Grignolio and M. Apollonio, Dept of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Sassari, Sassari, It
| | - Nikica Šprem
- K. Kavčić and N. Šprem, Dept of Fisheries, Beekeeping, Game Management and Special
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