1
|
Burriel-Carranza B, Mochales-Riaño G, Talavera A, Els J, Estarellas M, Al Saadi S, Urriago Suarez JD, Olsson PO, Matschiner M, Carranza S. Clinging on the brink: Whole genomes reveal human-induced population declines and severe inbreeding in the Critically Endangered Emirati Leaf-toed Gecko (Asaccus caudivolvulus). Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17451. [PMID: 38970417 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17451] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Human-mediated habitat destruction has had a profound impact on increased species extinction rates and population declines worldwide. The coastal development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the last two decades, serves as an example of how habitat transformation can alter the landscape of a country in just a few years. Here, we study the genomic implications of habitat transformation in the Critically Endangered Emirati Leaf-toed Gecko (Asaccus caudivolvulus), the only endemic vertebrate of the UAE. We generate a high-quality reference genome for this gecko, representing the first reference genome for the family Phyllodactylidae, and produce whole-genome resequencing data for 23 specimens from 10 different species of leaf-toed geckos. Our results show that A. caudivolvulus has consistently lower genetic diversity than any other Arabian species of Asaccus, suggesting a history of ancient population declines. However, high levels of recent inbreeding are recorded among populations in heavily developed areas, with a more than 50% increase in long runs of homozygosity within a 9-year period. Moreover, results suggest that this species does not effectively purge deleterious mutations, hence making it more vulnerable to future stochastic threats. Overall, results show that A. caudivolvulus is in urgent need of protection, and habitat preservation must be warranted to ensure the species' survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernat Burriel-Carranza
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
- Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Adrián Talavera
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johannes Els
- Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maria Estarellas
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Salvador Carranza
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mochales-Riaño G, Fontsere C, de Manuel M, Talavera A, Burriel-Carranza B, Tejero-Cicuéndez H, AlGethami RHM, Shobrak M, Marques-Bonet T, Carranza S. Genomics reveals introgression and purging of deleterious mutations in the Arabian leopard ( Panthera pardus nimr). iScience 2023; 26:107481. [PMID: 37601769 PMCID: PMC10432787 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In endangered species, low-genetic variation and inbreeding result from recent population declines. Genetic screenings in endangered populations help to assess their vulnerability to extinction and to create informed management actions toward their conservation efforts. The leopard, Panthera pardus, is a highly generalist predator with currently eight different subspecies. Yet, genomic data are still lacking for the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard (P. p. nimr). Here, we sequenced the whole genome of two Arabian leopards and assembled the most complete genomic dataset for leopards to date. Our phylogenomic analyses show that leopards are divided into two deeply divergent clades: the African and the Asian. Conservation genomic analyses indicate a prolonged population decline, which has led to an increase in inbreeding and runs of homozygosity, with consequent purging of deleterious mutations in both Arabian individuals. Our study represents the first attempt to genetically inform captive breeding programmes for this Critically Endangered subspecies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Fontsere
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, The Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, 1352 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc de Manuel
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adrián Talavera
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Héctor Tejero-Cicuéndez
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raed Hamoud M. AlGethami
- National Center for Wildlife, Prince Saud Al-Faisal for Wildlife Research, P. O Box 1086, Taif, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Shobrak
- National Center for Wildlife, Prince Saud Al-Faisal for Wildlife Research, P. O Box 1086, Taif, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Carranza
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Magid M, Wold JR, Moraga R, Cubrinovska I, Houston DM, Gartrell BD, Steeves TE. Leveraging an existing whole genome resequencing population dataset to characterize toll‐like receptor gene diversity in a threatened bird. Mol Ecol Resour 2022; 22:2810-2825. [PMID: 35635119 PMCID: PMC9543821 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13656] [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: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Species recovery programs are increasingly using genomic data to measure neutral genetic diversity and calculate metrics like relatedness. While these measures can inform conservation management, determining the mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression requires information about functional genes associated with adaptive or maladaptive traits. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are one family of functional genes, which play a crucial role in recognition of pathogens and activation of the immune system. Previously, these genes have been analysed using species‐specific primers and PCR. Here, we leverage an existing short‐read reference genome, whole‐genome resequencing population data set, and bioinformatic tools to characterize TLR gene diversity in captive and wild tchūriwat’/tūturuatu/shore plover (Thinornis novaeseelandiae), a threatened bird endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. Our results show that TLR gene diversity in tchūriwat’/tūturuatu is low, and forms two distinct captive and wild genetic clusters. The bioinformatic approach presented here has broad applicability to other threatened species with existing genomic resources in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly Magid
- University of Canterbury School of Biological Sciences Christchurch NZ
| | - Jana R. Wold
- University of Canterbury School of Biological Sciences Christchurch NZ
| | - Roger Moraga
- Tea Break Bioinformatics, Ltd Palmerston North NZ
| | - Ilina Cubrinovska
- University of Canterbury School of Biological Sciences Christchurch NZ
| | | | - Brett D. Gartrell
- Wildbase Massey University Institute of Veterinary, Animal, and Biomedical Sciences, Palmerston North, Manawatu NZ
| | - Tammy E. Steeves
- University of Canterbury School of Biological Sciences Christchurch NZ
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Muñoz-Fuentes V, Cacheiro P, Meehan TF, Aguilar-Pimentel JA, Brown SDM, Flenniken AM, Flicek P, Galli A, Mashhadi HH, Hrabě de Angelis M, Kim JK, Lloyd KCK, McKerlie C, Morgan H, Murray SA, Nutter LMJ, Reilly PT, Seavitt JR, Seong JK, Simon M, Wardle-Jones H, Mallon AM, Smedley D, Parkinson HE. The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC): a functional catalogue of the mammalian genome that informs conservation. CONSERV GENET 2018; 19:995-1005. [PMID: 30100824 PMCID: PMC6061128 DOI: 10.1007/s10592-018-1072-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) is building a catalogue of mammalian gene function by producing and phenotyping a knockout mouse line for every protein-coding gene. To date, the IMPC has generated and characterised 5186 mutant lines. One-third of the lines have been found to be non-viable and over 300 new mouse models of human disease have been identified thus far. While current bioinformatics efforts are focused on translating results to better understand human disease processes, IMPC data also aids understanding genetic function and processes in other species. Here we show, using gorilla genomic data, how genes essential to development in mice can be used to help assess the potentially deleterious impact of gene variants in other species. This type of analyses could be used to select optimal breeders in endangered species to maintain or increase fitness and avoid variants associated to impaired-health phenotypes or loss-of-function mutations in genes of critical importance. We also show, using selected examples from various mammal species, how IMPC data can aid in the identification of candidate genes for studying a condition of interest, deliver information about the mechanisms involved, or support predictions for the function of genes that may play a role in adaptation. With genotyping costs decreasing and the continued improvements of bioinformatics tools, the analyses we demonstrate can be routinely applied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Muñoz-Fuentes
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD UK
| | - Pilar Cacheiro
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ UK
| | - Terrence F. Meehan
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD UK
| | - Juan Antonio Aguilar-Pimentel
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Steve D. M. Brown
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD UK
| | - Ann M. Flenniken
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7 Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5 Canada
| | - Paul Flicek
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD UK
| | | | - Hamed Haseli Mashhadi
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD UK
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- School of Life Science Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Alte Akademie 8, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Jong Kyoung Kim
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu, 42988 Republic of Korea
| | - K. C. Kent Lloyd
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA 95618 USA
| | - Colin McKerlie
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7 Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5 Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X84 Canada
| | - Hugh Morgan
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD UK
| | | | - Lauryl M. J. Nutter
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7 Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X84 Canada
| | - Patrick T. Reilly
- PHENOMIN-iCS, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, Alsace France
| | - John R. Seavitt
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Je Kyung Seong
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Genomics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Interdisciplinary Program for Bioinformatics and Program for Cancer Biology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Michelle Simon
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD UK
| | | | - Ann-Marie Mallon
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD UK
| | - Damian Smedley
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ UK
| | - Helen E. Parkinson
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD UK
| | - the IMPC consortium
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD UK
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ UK
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD UK
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7 Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5 Canada
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA UK
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- School of Life Science Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Alte Akademie 8, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu, 42988 Republic of Korea
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA 95618 USA
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X84 Canada
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA
- PHENOMIN-iCS, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, Alsace France
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Genomics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Interdisciplinary Program for Bioinformatics and Program for Cancer Biology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|