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Fraticelli C, Zayed AA, Leirs H, Bauer H. Lions select larger prey in a Central African protected area with increasingly effective management. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70062. [PMID: 39041021 PMCID: PMC11260878 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70062] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Lions and their prey are threatened across most of their range and especially in West and Central Africa. Prey availability influences carnivore densities, social structure, prey preference and home ranges, and changes in prey are important for carnivore management. Scarcity of large prey in many West and Central African ecosystems has been described as leading to a preference for hunting smaller prey in smaller groups. Here we investigated the changes in prey selection of lions in Zakouma National Park (Chad), a protected area in Central Africa that showed significant recovery in wildlife numbers, by collecting feeding data through observations of lions on kills during monitoring drives and GPS cluster points of lion collars. Compared to similar data collected prior to this significant recovery, lions preferred larger prey and fed in larger groups. Our results show that diet shifts due to prey losses can be reversed with restoration of prey populations thanks to improved management, and we speculate that this may be true across large carnivores and across regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Fraticelli
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
- African Parks Network, Greater Zakouma EcosystemZakoumaChad
| | | | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Hans Bauer
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, BiologyUniversity of Oxford, the Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Tubney HouseAbingdonUK
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2
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Talenti A, Wilkinson T, Cook EA, Hemmink JD, Paxton E, Mutinda M, Ngulu SD, Jayaraman S, Bishop RP, Obara I, Hourlier T, Garcia Giron C, Martin FJ, Labuschagne M, Atimnedi P, Nanteza A, Keyyu JD, Mramba F, Caron A, Cornelis D, Chardonnet P, Fyumagwa R, Lembo T, Auty HK, Michaux J, Smitz N, Toye P, Robert C, Prendergast JGD, Morrison LJ. Continent-wide genomic analysis of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Commun Biol 2024; 7:792. [PMID: 38951693 PMCID: PMC11217449 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06481-2] [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: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a wild bovid with a historical distribution across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Genomic analysis can provide insights into the evolutionary history of the species, and the key selective pressures shaping populations, including assessment of population level differentiation, population fragmentation, and population genetic structure. In this study we generated the highest quality de novo genome assembly (2.65 Gb, scaffold N50 69.17 Mb) of African buffalo to date, and sequenced a further 195 genomes from across the species distribution. Principal component and admixture analyses provided little support for the currently described four subspecies. Estimating Effective Migration Surfaces analysis suggested that geographical barriers have played a significant role in shaping gene flow and the population structure. Estimated effective population sizes indicated a substantial drop occurring in all populations 5-10,000 years ago, coinciding with the increase in human populations. Finally, signatures of selection were enriched for key genes associated with the immune response, suggesting infectious disease exert a substantial selective pressure upon the African buffalo. These findings have important implications for understanding bovid evolution, buffalo conservation and population management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Talenti
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - Toby Wilkinson
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A Cook
- International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), ILRI Kenya, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Johanneke D Hemmink
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
- International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), ILRI Kenya, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Edith Paxton
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Mutinda
- Kenya Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 40241, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | | | - Siddharth Jayaraman
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - Richard P Bishop
- International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Isaiah Obara
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thibaut Hourlier
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Garcia Giron
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Fergal J Martin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Anne Nanteza
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Julius D Keyyu
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Furaha Mramba
- Vector and Vector-Borne Diseases Institute, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Alexandre Caron
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier (UMR), CIRAD, 34090, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, RP-PCP, Maputo, 01009, Mozambique
- Faculdade Veterinaria, Universidade Eduardo Mondlan, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Daniel Cornelis
- CIRAD, Forêts et Sociétés, 34398, Montpellier, France
- Forêts et Sociétés, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Robert Fyumagwa
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Tiziana Lembo
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet K Auty
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Johan Michaux
- Laboratoire de Génétique de la Conservation, Institut de Botanique (Bat. 22), Université de Liège (Sart Tilman), Chemin de la Vallée 4, B4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Smitz
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo), Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Philip Toye
- International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), ILRI Kenya, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Christelle Robert
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, United Kingdom
| | - James G D Prendergast
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - Liam J Morrison
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom.
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom.
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3
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Cotes-Perdomo AP, Sánchez-Vialas A, Thomas R, Jenkins A, Uribe JE. New insights into the systematics of the afrotropical Amblyomma marmoreum complex (Acari: Ixodidae) and the genome of a novel Rickettsia africae strain using morphological and metagenomic approaches. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102323. [PMID: 38387163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The Amblyomma marmoreum complex includes afrotropical species, such as Amblyomma sparsum, a three-host tick that parasitizes reptiles, birds, and mammals, and is a recognized vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium. However, the lack of morphological, genetic and ecological data on A. sparsum has caused considerable confusion in its identification. In this study, we used microscopy and metagenomic approaches to analyze A. sparsum ticks collected from a puff adder snake (Bitis arietans) in southwest Senegal (an endemic rickettsioses area) in order to supplement previous morphological descriptions, provide novel genomic data for the A. marmoreum complex, and describe the genome of a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia strain. Based on stereoscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphological evaluations, we provide high-quality images and new insights about punctation and enameling in the adult male of A. sparsum to facilitate identification for future studies. The metagenomic approach allowed us assembly the complete mitochondrial genome of A. sparsum, as well as the nearly entire chromosome and complete plasmid sequences of a novel Rickettsia africae strain. Phylogenomic analyses demonstrated a close relationship between A. sparsum and Amblyomma nuttalli for the first time and confirmed the position of A. sparsum within the A. marmoreum complex. Our results provide new insights into the systematics of A. sparsum and A. marmoreum complex, as well as the genetic diversity of R. africae in the Afrotropical region. Future studies should consider the possibility that A. sparsum may be a vector for R. africae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea P Cotes-Perdomo
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern, Norway; Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), 2José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Alberto Sánchez-Vialas
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), 2José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Richard Thomas
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Andrew Jenkins
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern, Norway
| | - Juan E Uribe
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), 2José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid 28006, Spain.
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4
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Bertola LD, Quinn L, Hanghøj K, Garcia-Erill G, Rasmussen MS, Balboa RF, Meisner J, Bøggild T, Wang X, Lin L, Nursyifa C, Liu X, Li Z, Chege M, Moodley Y, Brüniche-Olsen A, Kuja J, Schubert M, Agaba M, Santander CG, Sinding MHS, Muwanika V, Masembe C, Siegismund HR, Moltke I, Albrechtsen A, Heller R. Giraffe lineages are shaped by major ancient admixture events. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1576-1586.e5. [PMID: 38479386 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Strong genetic structure has prompted discussion regarding giraffe taxonomy,1,2,3 including a suggestion to split the giraffe into four species: Northern (Giraffa c. camelopardalis), Reticulated (G. c. reticulata), Masai (G. c. tippelskirchi), and Southern giraffes (G. c. giraffa).4,5,6 However, their evolutionary history is not yet fully resolved, as previous studies used a simple bifurcating model and did not explore the presence or extent of gene flow between lineages. We therefore inferred a model that incorporates various evolutionary processes to assess the drivers of contemporary giraffe diversity. We analyzed whole-genome sequencing data from 90 wild giraffes from 29 localities across their current distribution. The most basal divergence was dated to 280 kya. Genetic differentiation, FST, among major lineages ranged between 0.28 and 0.62, and we found significant levels of ancient gene flow between them. In particular, several analyses suggested that the Reticulated lineage evolved through admixture, with almost equal contribution from the Northern lineage and an ancestral lineage related to Masai and Southern giraffes. These new results highlight a scenario of strong differentiation despite gene flow, providing further context for the interpretation of giraffe diversity and the process of speciation in general. They also illustrate that conservation measures need to target various lineages and sublineages and that separate management strategies are needed to conserve giraffe diversity effectively. Given local extinctions and recent dramatic declines in many giraffe populations, this improved understanding of giraffe evolutionary history is relevant for conservation interventions, including reintroductions and reinforcements of existing populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D Bertola
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Liam Quinn
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Hanghøj
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Renzo F Balboa
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Meisner
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Bøggild
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Long Lin
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Casia Nursyifa
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zilong Li
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mumbi Chege
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands; Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Naivasha, Kenya
| | - Yoshan Moodley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Republic of South Africa
| | | | - Josiah Kuja
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Schubert
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morris Agaba
- School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Nelson Mandela Road, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Cindy G Santander
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Vincent Muwanika
- College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Charles Masembe
- College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hans R Siegismund
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Moltke
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Rasmus Heller
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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5
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Colangelo P, Di Civita M, Bento CM, Franchini P, Meyer A, Orel N, das Neves LCBG, Mulandane FC, Almeida JS, Senczuk G, Pilla F, Sabatelli S. Genome-wide diversity, population structure and signatures of inbreeding in the African buffalo in Mozambique. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:29. [PMID: 38433185 PMCID: PMC10910738 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02209-2] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The African buffalo, Syncerus caffer, is a key species in African ecosystems. Like other large herbivores, it plays a fundamental role in its habitat acting as an ecosystem engineer. Over the last few centuries, African buffalo populations have declined because of range contraction and demographic decline caused by direct or indirect human activities. In Mozambique, historically home to large buffalo herds, the combined effect of colonialism and subsequent civil wars has created a critical situation that urgently needs to be addressed. In this study, we focused on the analysis of genetic diversity of Syncerus caffer caffer populations from six areas of Mozambique. Using genome-wide SNPs obtained from ddRAD sequencing, we examined the population structure across the country, estimated gene flow between areas under conservation management, including national reserves, and assessed the inbreeding coefficients. Our results indicate that all studied populations of Syncerus caffer caffer are genetically depauperate, with a high level of inbreeding. Moreover, buffaloes in Mozambique present a significant population differentiation between southern and central areas. We found an unexpected genotype in the Gorongosa National Park, where buffaloes experienced a dramatic population size reduction, that shares a common ancestry with southern populations of Catuane and Namaacha. This could suggest the past occurrence of a connection between southern and central Mozambique and that the observed population structuring could reflect recent events of anthropogenic origin. All the populations analysed showed high levels of homozygosity, likely due to extensive inbreeding over the last few decades, which could have increased the frequency of recessive deleterious alleles. Improving the resilience of Syncerus caffer caffer in Mozambique is essential for preserving the ecosystem integrity. The most viable approach appears to be facilitating translocations and re-establishing connectivity between isolated herds. However, our results also highlight the importance of assessing intraspecific genetic diversity when considering interventions aimed at enhancing population viability such as selecting suitable source populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Colangelo
- National Research Council, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Montelibretti (Roma), Italy
| | - Marika Di Civita
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Viale dell'Università 32, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Carlos M Bento
- Natural History Museum, Eduardo Mondlane University, Travessia do Zambeze 104, 1100, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Paolo Franchini
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viale dell'Università s.n.c, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Axel Meyer
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Nadiya Orel
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Luis C B G das Neves
- Biotechnology Centre of Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Gabriele Senczuk
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Fabio Pilla
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Simone Sabatelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Viale dell'Università 32, 00185, Roma, Italy
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6
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Balboa RF, Bertola LD, Brüniche-Olsen A, Rasmussen MS, Liu X, Besnard G, Salmona J, Santander CG, He S, Zinner D, Pedrono M, Muwanika V, Masembe C, Schubert M, Kuja J, Quinn L, Garcia-Erill G, Stæger FF, Rakotoarivony R, Henrique M, Lin L, Wang X, Heaton MP, Smith TPL, Hanghøj K, Sinding MHS, Atickem A, Chikhi L, Roos C, Gaubert P, Siegismund HR, Moltke I, Albrechtsen A, Heller R. African bushpigs exhibit porous species boundaries and appeared in Madagascar concurrently with human arrival. Nat Commun 2024; 15:172. [PMID: 38172616 PMCID: PMC10764920 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44105-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Several African mammals exhibit a phylogeographic pattern where closely related taxa are split between West/Central and East/Southern Africa, but their evolutionary relationships and histories remain controversial. Bushpigs (Potamochoerus larvatus) and red river hogs (P. porcus) are recognised as separate species due to morphological distinctions, a perceived lack of interbreeding at contact, and putatively old divergence times, but historically, they were considered conspecific. Moreover, the presence of Malagasy bushpigs as the sole large terrestrial mammal shared with the African mainland raises intriguing questions about its origin and arrival in Madagascar. Analyses of 67 whole genomes revealed a genetic continuum between the two species, with putative signatures of historical gene flow, variable FST values, and a recent divergence time (<500,000 years). Thus, our study challenges key arguments for splitting Potamochoerus into two species and suggests their speciation might be incomplete. Our findings also indicate that Malagasy bushpigs diverged from southern African populations and underwent a limited bottleneck 1000-5000 years ago, concurrent with human arrival in Madagascar. These results shed light on the evolutionary history of an iconic and widespread African mammal and provide insight into the longstanding biogeographic puzzle surrounding the bushpig's presence in Madagascar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzo F Balboa
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Laura D Bertola
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Xiaodong Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Guillaume Besnard
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR 5174, CNRS, IRD, Université Toulouse Paul Sabatier, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | - Jordi Salmona
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR 5174, CNRS, IRD, Université Toulouse Paul Sabatier, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | - Cindy G Santander
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shixu He
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dietmar Zinner
- Cognitive Ecology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Primate Cognition, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Leibniz Science Campus Primate Cognition, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Miguel Pedrono
- UMR ASTRE, CIRAD, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Muwanika
- College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Charles Masembe
- College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mikkel Schubert
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Josiah Kuja
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Liam Quinn
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Long Lin
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Kristian Hanghøj
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Anagaw Atickem
- Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Lounès Chikhi
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR 5174, CNRS, IRD, Université Toulouse Paul Sabatier, 31062, Toulouse, France
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Christian Roos
- Gene Bank of Primates and Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philippe Gaubert
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR 5174, CNRS, IRD, Université Toulouse Paul Sabatier, 31062, Toulouse, France
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Porto, Portugal
| | - Hans R Siegismund
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Moltke
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Rasmus Heller
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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7
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Obara I, Nijhof A, Atimnedi P, Mijele D, Nanteza A, Elati K, Bishop R. The antigen recognition portion of African buffalo class I MHC is highly polymorphic, consistent with a complex pathogen challenge environment, and the 3' region suggests distinct haplotype configurations. Immunogenetics 2023; 75:115-132. [PMID: 36512055 PMCID: PMC10039833 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-022-01287-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) have been distinct from the Auroch lineage leading to domestic cattle for 5 million years, and are reservoirs of multiple pathogens, that affect introduced domestic cattle. To date, there has been no analysis of the class I MHC locus in African buffalo. We present the first data on African buffalo class I MHC, which demonstrates that gene and predicted protein coding sequences are approximately 86-87% similar to that of African domestic cattle in the peptide binding region. The study also shows concordance in the distribution of codons with elevated posterior probabilities of positive selection in the buffalo class I MHC and known antigen binding sites in cattle. Overall, the diversity in buffalo class I sequences appears greater than that in cattle, perhaps related to a more complex pathogen challenge environment in Africa. However, application of NetMHCpan suggested broad clustering of peptide binding specificities between buffalo and cattle. Furthermore, in the case of at least 20 alleles, critical peptide-binding residues appear to be conserved with those of cattle, including at secondary anchor residues. Alleles with six different length transmembrane regions were detected. This preliminary analysis suggests that like cattle, but unlike most other mammals, African buffalo appears to exhibit configuration (haplotype) variation in which the loci are expressed in distinct combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaiah Obara
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
- Freie Universität Berlin, Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ard Nijhof
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Anne Nanteza
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Khawla Elati
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Institution de La Recherche Et de L'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles &, Univ. Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Richard Bishop
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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8
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Xie HB, Yan C, Adeola AC, Wang K, Huang CP, Xu MM, Qiu Q, Yin X, Fan CY, Ma YF, Yin TT, Gao Y, Deng JK, Okeyoyin AO, Oluwole OO, Omotosho O, Okoro VMO, Omitogun OG, Dawuda PM, Olaogun SC, Nneji LM, Ayoola AO, Sanke OJ, Luka PD, Okoth E, Lekolool I, Mijele D, Bishop RP, Han J, Wang W, Peng MS, Zhang YP. African Suid Genomes Provide Insights into the Local Adaptation to Diverse African Environments. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6840307. [PMID: 36413509 PMCID: PMC9733430 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
African wild suids consist of several endemic species that represent ancient members of the family Suidae and have colonized diverse habitats on the African continent. However, limited genomic resources for African wild suids hinder our understanding of their evolution and genetic diversity. In this study, we assembled high-quality genomes of a common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), a red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus), as well as an East Asian Diannan small-ear pig (Sus scrofa). Phylogenetic analysis showed that common warthog and red river hog diverged from their common ancestor around the Miocene/Pliocene boundary, putatively predating their entry into Africa. We detected species-specific selective signals associated with sensory perception and interferon signaling pathways in common warthog and red river hog, respectively, which contributed to their local adaptation to savannah and tropical rainforest environments, respectively. The structural variation and evolving signals in genes involved in T-cell immunity, viral infection, and lymphoid development were identified in their ancestral lineage. Our results provide new insights into the evolutionary histories and divergent genetic adaptations of African suids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ming-Min Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Qiang Qiu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710129, China
| | - Xue Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Chen-Yu Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Yun-Fei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Ting-Ting Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Jia-Kun Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Agboola O Okeyoyin
- National Park Service Headquarter, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja 900108, Nigeria
| | - Olufunke O Oluwole
- Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Oladipo Omotosho
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
| | - Victor M O Okoro
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri 460114, Nigeria
| | - Ofelia G Omitogun
- Department of Animal Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 220282, Nigeria
| | - Philip M Dawuda
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi 970001, Nigeria
| | - Sunday C Olaogun
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
| | - Lotanna M Nneji
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China,Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Adeola O Ayoola
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China,Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Oscar J Sanke
- Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Jalingo 660213, Nigeria
| | - Pam D Luka
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930103, Nigeria
| | - Edward Okoth
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | | | | | - Richard P Bishop
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | | | - Wen Wang
- Corresponding authors: E-mails: ; ; ;
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9
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A continent-wide high genetic load in African buffalo revealed by clines in the frequency of deleterious alleles, genetic hitchhiking and linkage disequilibrium. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259685. [PMID: 34882683 PMCID: PMC8659316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259685] [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: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A high genetic load can negatively affect population viability and increase susceptibility to diseases and other environmental stressors. Prior microsatellite studies of two African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) populations in South Africa indicated substantial genome-wide genetic load due to high-frequency occurrence of deleterious alleles. The occurrence of these alleles, which negatively affect male body condition and bovine tuberculosis resistance, throughout most of the buffalo's range were evaluated in this study. Using available microsatellite data (2-17 microsatellite loci) for 1676 animals from 34 localities (from 25°S to 5°N), we uncovered continent-wide frequency clines of microsatellite alleles associated with the aforementioned male traits. Frequencies decreased over a south-to-north latitude range (average per-locus Pearson r = -0.22). The frequency clines coincided with a multilocus-heterozygosity cline (adjusted R2 = 0.84), showing up to a 16% decrease in southern Africa compared to East Africa. Furthermore, continent-wide linkage disequilibrium (LD) at five linked locus pairs was detected, characterized by a high fraction of positive interlocus associations (0.66, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.77) between male-deleterious-trait-associated alleles. Our findings suggest continent-wide and genome-wide selection of male-deleterious alleles driven by an earlier observed sex-chromosomal meiotic drive system, resulting in frequency clines, reduced heterozygosity due to hitchhiking effects and extensive LD due to male-deleterious alleles co-occurring in haplotypes. The selection pressures involved must be high to prevent destruction of allele-frequency clines and haplotypes by LD decay. Since most buffalo populations are stable, these results indicate that natural mammal populations, depending on their genetic background, can withstand a high genetic load.
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10
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Engelbrecht HM, Branch WR, Tolley KA. Snakes on an African plain: the radiation of Crotaphopeltis and Philothamnus into open habitat (Serpentes: Colubridae). PeerJ 2021; 9:e11728. [PMID: 34434643 PMCID: PMC8351568 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11728] [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: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The African continent is comprised of several different biomes, although savanna is the most prevalent. The current heterogeneous landscape was formed through long-term vegetation shifts as a result of the global cooling trend since the Oligocene epoch. The overwhelming trend was a shift from primarily forest, to primarily savanna. As such, faunal groups that emerged during the Paleogene/Neogene period and have species distributed in both forest and savanna habitat should show a genetic signature of the possible evolutionary impact of these biome developments. Crotaphopeltis and Philothamnus (Colubridae) are excellent taxa to investigate the evolutionary impact of these biome developments on widespread African colubrid snakes, and whether timing and patterns of radiation are synchronous with biome reorganisation. Methods A phylogenetic framework was used to investigate timing of lineage diversification. Phylogenetic analysis included both genera as well as other Colubridae to construct a temporal framework in order to estimate radiation times for Crotaphopeltis and Philothamnus. Lineage diversification was estimated in Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Sampling Trees (BEAST), using two mitochondrial markers (cyt–b, ND4), one nuclear marker (c–mos), and incorporating one fossil and two biogeographical calibration points. Vegetation layers were used to classify and confirm species association with broad biome types (‘closed’ = forest, ‘open’ = savanna/other), and the ancestral habitat state for each genus was estimated. Results Philothamnus showed an ancestral state of closed habitat, but the ancestral habitat type for Crotaphopeltis was equivocal. Both genera showed similar timing of lineage diversification diverging from their sister genera during the Oligocene/Miocene transition (ca. 25 Mya), with subsequent species radiation in the Mid-Miocene. Philothamnus appeared to have undergone allopatric speciation during Mid-Miocene forest fragmentation. Habitat generalist and open habitat specialist species emerged as savanna became more prevalent, while at least two forest associated lineages within Crotaphopeltis moved into Afromontane forest habitat secondarily and independently. Discussion With similar diversification times, but contrasting ancestral habitat reconstructions, we show that these genera have responded very differently to the same broad biome shifts. Differences in biogeographical patterns for the two African colubrid genera is likely an effect of distinct life-history traits, such as the arboreous habits of Philothamnus compared to the terrestrial lifestyle of Crotaphopeltis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanlie M Engelbrecht
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.,Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.,Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - William R Branch
- Herpetology, Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.,Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
| | - Krystal A Tolley
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.,Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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11
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Maboko BB, Sibeko-Matjila KP, Pierneef R, Chan WY, Josemans A, Marumo RD, Mbizeni S, Latif AA, Mans BJ. South African Buffalo-Derived Theileria parva Is Distinct From Other Buffalo and Cattle-Derived T. parva. Front Genet 2021; 12:666096. [PMID: 34249088 PMCID: PMC8269612 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.666096] [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: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Theileria parva is a protozoan parasite transmitted by the brown-eared ticks, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus zambeziensis. Buffaloes are the parasite's ancestral host, with cattle being the most recent host. The parasite has two transmission modes namely, cattle-cattle and buffalo-cattle transmission. Cattle-cattle T. parva transmission causes East Coast fever (ECF) and January disease syndromes. Buffalo to cattle transmission causes Corridor disease. Knowledge on the genetic diversity of South African T. parva populations will assist in determining its origin, evolution and identify any cattle-cattle transmitted strains. To achieve this, genomic DNA of blood and in vitro culture material infected with South African isolates (8160, 8301, 8200, 9620, 9656, 9679, Johnston, KNP2, HL3, KNP102, 9574, and 9581) were extracted and paired-end whole genome sequencing using Illumina HiSeq 2500 was performed. East and southern African sample data (Chitongo Z2, Katete B2, Kiambu Z464/C12, Mandali Z22H10, Entebbe, Nyakizu, Katumba, Buffalo LAWR, and Buffalo Z5E5) was also added for comparative purposes. Data was analyzed using BWA and SAMtools variant calling with the T. parva Muguga genome sequence used as a reference. Buffalo-derived strains had higher genetic diversity, with twice the number of variants compared to cattle-derived strains, confirming that buffaloes are ancestral reservoir hosts of T. parva. Host specific SNPs, however, could not be identified among the selected 74 gene sequences. Phylogenetically, strains tended to cluster by host with South African buffalo-derived strains clustering with buffalo-derived strains. Among the buffalo-derived strains, South African strains were genetically divergent from other buffalo-derived strains indicating possible geographic sub-structuring. Geographic sub- structuring was also observed within South Africa strains. The knowledge generated from this study indicates that to date, ECF is not circulating in buffalo from South Africa. It also shows that T. parva has historically been present in buffalo from South Africa before the introduction of ECF and was not introduced into buffalo during the ECF epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boitumelo B Maboko
- Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Rian Pierneef
- Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Wai Y Chan
- Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Josemans
- Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ratselane D Marumo
- Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sikhumbuzo Mbizeni
- Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Abdalla A Latif
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Ben J Mans
- Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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12
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de Jager D, Glanzmann B, Möller M, Hoal E, van Helden P, Harper C, Bloomer P. High diversity, inbreeding and a dynamic Pleistocene demographic history revealed by African buffalo genomes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4540. [PMID: 33633171 PMCID: PMC7907399 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83823-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomes retain records of demographic changes and evolutionary forces that shape species and populations. Remnant populations of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in South Africa, with varied histories, provide an opportunity to investigate signatures left in their genomes by past events, both recent and ancient. Here, we produce 40 low coverage (7.14×) genome sequences of Cape buffalo (S. c. caffer) from four protected areas in South Africa. Genome-wide heterozygosity was the highest for any mammal for which these data are available, while differences in individual inbreeding coefficients reflected the severity of historical bottlenecks and current census sizes in each population. PSMC analysis revealed multiple changes in Ne between approximately one million and 20 thousand years ago, corresponding to paleoclimatic changes and Cape buffalo colonisation of southern Africa. The results of this study have implications for buffalo management and conservation, particularly in the context of the predicted increase in aridity and temperature in southern Africa over the next century as a result of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deon de Jager
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Programme, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Brigitte Glanzmann
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marlo Möller
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Eileen Hoal
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Paul van Helden
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Cindy Harper
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Paulette Bloomer
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Programme, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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13
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Sarabia C, vonHoldt B, Larrasoaña JC, Uríos V, Leonard JA. Pleistocene climate fluctuations drove demographic history of African golden wolves (Canis lupaster). Mol Ecol 2020; 30:6101-6120. [PMID: 33372365 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pleistocene climate change impacted entire ecosystems throughout the world. In the northern hemisphere, the distribution of Arctic species expanded during glacial periods, while more temperate and mesic species contracted into climatic refugia, where isolation drove genetic divergence. Cycles of local cooling and warming in the Sahara region of northern Africa caused repeated contractions and expansions of savannah-like environments which connected mesic species isolated in refugia during interglacial times, possibly driving population expansions and contractions; divergence and geneflow in the associated fauna. Here, we use whole genome sequences of African golden wolves (Canis lupaster), a generalist mesopredator with a wide distribution in northern Africa to estimate their demographic history and past episodes of geneflow. We detect a correlation between divergence times and cycles of increased aridity-associated Pleistocene glacial cycles. A complex demographic history with responses to local climate change in different lineages was found, including a relict lineage north of the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco that has been isolated for more than 18,000 years, possibly a distinct ecotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sarabia
- Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC, Seville, Spain
| | - Bridgett vonHoldt
- Faculty of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Princeton, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Vicente Uríos
- Vertebrate Zoology Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jennifer A Leonard
- Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC, Seville, Spain
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14
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Wogan GOU, Voelker G, Oatley G, Bowie RCK. Biome stability predicts population structure of a southern African aridland bird species. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:4066-4081. [PMID: 32489631 PMCID: PMC7244808 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Environments are heterogeneous in space and time, and the permeability of landscape and climatic barriers to gene flow may change over time. When barriers are present, they may start populations down the path toward speciation, but if they become permeable before the process of speciation is complete, populations may once more merge. In Southern Africa, aridland biomes play a central role in structuring the organization of biodiversity. These biomes were subject to substantial restructuring during Plio-Pleistocene climatic fluctuations, and the imprint of this changing environment should leave genetic signatures on the species living there. Here, we investigate the role of adjacent aridland biome boundaries in structuring the genetic diversity within a widespread generalist bird, the Cape Robin-chat (Cossypha caffra). We find evidence supporting a central role for aridland biomes in structuring populations across Southern Africa. Our findings support a scenario wherein populations were isolated in different biome refugia, due to separation by the exceptionally arid Nama Karoo biome. This biome barrier may have arisen through a combination of habitat instability and environmental unsuitability, and was highly unstable throughout the Plio-Pleistocene. However, we also recovered a pattern of extensive contemporary gene flow and admixture across the Nama Karoo, potentially driven by the establishment of homesteads over the past 200 years. Thus, the barrier has become permeable, and populations are currently merging. This represents an instance where initial formation of a barrier to gene flow enabled population differentiation, with subsequent gene flow and the merging of populations after the barrier became permeable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guinevere O. U. Wogan
- Department of Integrative BiologyMuseum of Vertebrate ZoologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - Gary Voelker
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries SciencesBiodiversity Research and Teaching CollectionsTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Graeme Oatley
- Department of GeographyCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence at the Percy FitzPatrick InstituteUniversity of Cape TownRondeboschSouth Africa
| | - Rauri C. K. Bowie
- Department of Integrative BiologyMuseum of Vertebrate ZoologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCAUSA
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence at the Percy FitzPatrick InstituteUniversity of Cape TownRondeboschSouth Africa
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15
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Lu XR, Duan AQ, Li WQ, Abdel-Shafy H, Rushdi HE, Liang SS, Ma XY, Liang XW, Deng TX. Genome-wide analysis reveals genetic diversity, linkage disequilibrium, and selection for milk production traits in Chinese buffalo breeds. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:4545-4556. [PMID: 32147265 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The water buffalo is an important dual-purpose livestock that is widespread throughout central and southern China. However, there has been no characterization of the population genetics of Chinese buffalo. Using an Axiom buffalo genotyping array (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wilmington, DE), we analyzed the genetic diversity, linkage disequilibrium pattern, and signature of selection in 176 Chinese buffaloes from 13 breeds. A total of 35,547 SNP passed quality control and were used for further analyses. Population genetic analysis revealed a clear separation between swamp and river types. Ten Chinese indigenous breeds were clustered into the swamp group, the Murrah and Nili-Ravi breeds were clustered into the river group, and the crossbred breed was closer to the river group. Genetic diversity analysis showed that the swamp group had a lower average expected heterozygosity. Linkage disequilibrium decay distance was much shorter in the swamp group compared with the river group, with an average square of correlation coefficient value of 0.2 of approximately 50 kb. Analysis of runs of homozygosity indicated extensive remote and recent inbreeding within swamp and river groups, respectively. Moreover, one genomic region under selection was detected between the river and swamp groups. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the characterization of population genetics in Chinese buffaloes, which in turn may be used in buffalo breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- X R Lu
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530001, China
| | - A Q Duan
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530001, China
| | - W Q Li
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - H Abdel-Shafy
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt
| | - H E Rushdi
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt
| | - S S Liang
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530001, China
| | - X Y Ma
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530001, China
| | - X W Liang
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530001, China
| | - T X Deng
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530001, China.
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16
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A natural gene drive system influences bovine tuberculosis susceptibility in African buffalo: Possible implications for disease management. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221168. [PMID: 31483802 PMCID: PMC6726202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is endemic to the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) and Kruger National Park, South Africa. In HiP, the disease has been actively managed since 1999 through a test-and-cull procedure targeting BTB-positive buffalo. Prior studies in Kruger showed associations between microsatellite alleles, BTB and body condition. A sex chromosomal meiotic drive, a form of natural gene drive, was hypothesized to be ultimately responsible. These associations indicate high-frequency occurrence of two types of male-deleterious alleles (or multiple-allele haplotypes). One type negatively affects body condition and BTB resistance in both sexes. The other type has sexually antagonistic effects: negative in males but positive in females. Here, we investigate whether a similar gene drive system is present in HiP buffalo, using 17 autosomal microsatellites and microsatellite-derived Y-chromosomal haplotypes from 401 individuals, culled in 2002–2004. We show that the association between autosomal microsatellite alleles and BTB susceptibility detected in Kruger, is also present in HiP. Further, Y-haplotype frequency dynamics indicated that a sex chromosomal meiotic drive also occurred in HiP. BTB was associated with negative selection of male-deleterious alleles in HiP, unlike positive selection in Kruger. Birth sex ratios were female-biased. We attribute negative selection and female-biased sex ratios in HiP to the absence of a Y-chromosomal sex-ratio distorter. This distorter has been hypothesized to contribute to positive selection of male-deleterious alleles and male-biased birth sex ratios in Kruger. As previously shown in Kruger, microsatellite alleles were only associated with male-deleterious effects in individuals born after wet pre-birth years; a phenomenon attributed to epigenetic modification. We identified two additional allele types: male-specific deleterious and beneficial alleles, with no discernible effect on females. Finally, we discuss how our findings may be used for breeding disease-free buffalo and implementing BTB test-and-cull programs.
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17
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Rakotoarivelo AR, O’Donoghue P, Bruford MW, Moodley Y. Rapid ecological specialization despite constant population sizes. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6476. [PMID: 31041147 PMCID: PMC6476403 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus, is a widespread and ecologically diverse ungulate species complex within the spiral-horned antelopes. This species was recently found to consist of two genetically divergent but monophyletic lineages, which are paraphyletic at mitochondrial (mt)DNA owing to an ancient interspecific hybridization event. The Scriptus lineage (T. s. scriptus) inhabits the north-western half of the African continent while Sylvaticus (T. s. sylvaticus) is found in the south-eastern half. Here we test hypotheses of historical demography and adaptation in bushbuck using a higher-resolution framework, with four nuclear (MGF, PRKCI, SPTBN, and THY) and three new mitochondrial markers (cytochrome b, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA). METHODS Genealogies were reconstructed for the mitochondrial and nuclear data sets, with the latter dated using fossil calibration points. We also inferred the demographic history of Scriptus and Sylvaticus using coalescent-based methods. To obtain an overview of the origins and ancestral colonisation routes of ancestral bushbuck sequences across geographic space, we conducted discrete Bayesian phylogeographic and statistical dispersal-vicariance analyses on our nuclear DNA data set. RESULTS Both nuclear DNA and mtDNA support previous findings of two genetically divergent Sylvaticus and Scriptus lineages. The three mtDNA loci confirmed 15 of the previously defined haplogroups, including those with convergent phenotypes. However, the nuclear tree showed less phylogenetic resolution at the more derived parts of the genealogy, possibly due to incomplete lineage sorting of the slower evolving nuclear genome. The only exception to this was the montane Menelik's bushbuck (Sylvaticus) of the Ethiopian highlands, which formed a monophyletic group at three of four nuclear DNA loci. We dated the coalescence of the two lineages to a common ancestor ∼2.54 million years ago. Both marker sets revealed similar demographic histories of constant population size over time. We show that the bushbuck likely originated in East Africa, with Scriptus dispersing to colonise suitable habitats west of the African Rift and Sylvaticus radiating from east of the Rift into southern Africa via a series of mainly vicariance events. DISCUSSION Despite lower levels of genetic structure at nuclear loci, we confirmed the independent evolution of the Menelik's bushbuck relative to the phenotypically similar montane bushbuck in East Africa, adding further weight to previous suggestions of convergent evolution within the bushbuck complex. Perhaps the most surprising result of our analysis was that both Scriptus and Sylvaticus populations remained relatively constant throughout the Pleistocene, which is remarkable given that this was a period of major climatic and tectonic change in Africa, and responsible for driving the evolution of much of the continent's extant large mammalian diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrinajoro R. Rakotoarivelo
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo, Republic of South Africa
- Natiora Ahy, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Paul O’Donoghue
- Specialist Wildlife Services, Specialist Wildlife Services, St Asaph, United Kingdom
| | - Michael W. Bruford
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Yoshan Moodley
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo, Republic of South Africa
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Goftishu M, Assefa Y, Niba A, Fininsa C, Nyamukondiwa C, Capdevielle-Dulac C, Le Ru BP. Phylogeography and Population Structure of the Mediterranean Corn Borer, Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Across Its Geographic Range. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 112:396-406. [PMID: 30376077 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefèbvre) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a widespread insect pest in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. However, its pest status varies across its distribution range. It is a major pest of maize in Europe and of sugarcane in Iran. In Africa, it is a major pest of maize in West Africa but not considered as a pest in East Africa. Recent surveys conducted in 2015 recorded S. nonagrioides to be a major pest of sugarcane in Ethiopia and reported the species for the first time in Botswana, outside its known geographic range. The genetic relationship of these records with the previously recorded population of S. nonagrioides was investigated using the cytochrome oxidase subunit I region of the mitochondrial genome. In total, 113 individuals across the geographic range of the species were analyzed and 63 haplotypes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis separated the populations into two clades with no distinct geographic distribution pattern. The genetic differentiation was also not associated with host plants and geographic distances. Results of the molecular analysis revealed the long-time establishment of S. nonagrioides population in Botswana and identified the newly recorded sugarcane population from Ethiopia as part of the wild host population in the country. The phylogeographic patterns observed among population of S. nonagrioides have probably been shaped by Pleistocene's climatic oscillations and geographic range expansions from different refugia with secondary contact and admixture. Possible reasons for the host-plant expansion by the Ethiopian population are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muluken Goftishu
- School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Yoseph Assefa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- Department of Crop Production, University of Swaziland, Luyengo Campus, Swaziland
| | - Augustine Niba
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Chemeda Fininsa
- School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Casper Nyamukondiwa
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Claire Capdevielle-Dulac
- IRD/CNRS, UMR IRD 247 EGCE, Laboratoire Evolution Génomes Comportement et Ecologie, Avenue de la terrasse, BP1, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
| | - Bruno Pierre Le Ru
- IRD/CNRS, UMR IRD 247 EGCE, Laboratoire Evolution Génomes Comportement et Ecologie, Avenue de la terrasse, BP1, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
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Smitz N, Jouvenet O, Ambwene Ligate F, Crosmary WG, Ikanda D, Chardonnet P, Fusari A, Meganck K, Gillet F, Melletti M, Michaux JR. A genome-wide data assessment of the African lion (Panthera leo) population genetic structure and diversity in Tanzania. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205395. [PMID: 30403704 PMCID: PMC6221261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The African lion (Panthera leo), listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Appendix II of CITES), is mainly impacted by indiscriminate killing and prey base depletion. Additionally, habitat loss by land degradation and conversion has led to the isolation of some subpopulations, potentially decreasing gene flow and increasing inbreeding depression risks. Genetic drift resulting from weakened connectivity between strongholds can affect the genetic health of the species. In the present study, we investigated the evolutionary history of the species at different spatiotemporal scales. Therefore, the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (N = 128), 11 microsatellites (N = 103) and 9,103 SNPs (N = 66) were investigated in the present study, including a large sampling from Tanzania, which hosts the largest lion population among all African lion range countries. Our results add support that the species is structured into two lineages at the continental scale (West-Central vs East-Southern), underlining the importance of reviewing the taxonomic status of the African lion. Moreover, SNPs led to the identification of three lion clusters in Tanzania, whose geographical distributions are in the northern, southern and western regions. Furthermore, Tanzanian lion populations were shown to display good levels of genetic diversity with limited signs of inbreeding. However, their population sizes seem to have gradually decreased in recent decades. The highlighted Tanzanian African lion population genetic differentiation appears to have resulted from the combined effects of anthropogenic pressure and environmental/climatic factors, as further discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Smitz
- Barcoding of Organisms and tissues of Policy Concern (BopCo)/Joint Experimental Molecular Unit (JEMU), Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
- Conservation Genetics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Olivia Jouvenet
- Conservation Genetics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | | | - Dennis Ikanda
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Arusha, Tanzania
| | | | - Alessandro Fusari
- Fondation Internationale pour la Gestion de la Faune (IGF), Paris, France
| | - Kenny Meganck
- Barcoding of Organisms and tissues of Policy Concern (BopCo), Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - François Gillet
- Conservation Genetics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Mario Melletti
- African Buffalo Initiative Group (AfBIG), IUCN/SSC/ASG, Rome, Italy
| | - Johan R. Michaux
- Conservation Genetics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), UPR AGIRS, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
- * E-mail:
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Basiita RK, Zenger KR, Mwanja MT, Jerry DR. Gene flow and genetic structure in Nile perch, Lates niloticus, from African freshwater rivers and lakes. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200001. [PMID: 29995906 PMCID: PMC6040733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Geological evolution of the African continent has been subject to complex processes including uplift, volcanism, desert formation and tectonic rifting. This complex geology has created substantial biogeographical barriers, and coupled with anthropogenic introductions of freshwater fishes, has influenced the genetic diversity, connectivity and sub-structuring of the teleost fauna. Nile perch, Lates niloticus, is an iconic fish in Africa and is of high commercial importance, both in the species' native range and where it has been translocated. However, the species is in decline and there is a need to understand its population genetic structure to facilitate sustainable management of the fishery and aquaculture development. METHODOLOGY Nile perch tissue samples were acquired from two West and four East (Lakes; Albert, Kyoga, Victoria and Turkana) African locations. Nineteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to study the genetic variation among populations across regions (West and East Africa), as well as between native and introduced environments within East Africa. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE Results revealed strong and significant genetic structuring among populations across the sampled distribution (divergence across regions, FCT = 0.26, P = 0.000). STRUCTURE analysis at a broad scale revealed K = 2 clusters, the West African individuals were assigned to one cluster, while all individuals from the East African region, regardless of whether native or introduced, were assigned to another cluster. The distinct genetic clusters identified in the current study between the West and East African Nile perch, appear to have been maintained by presence of biogeographic barriers and restricted gene flow between the two regions. Therefore, any translocations of Nile perch should be carefully considered across the regions of West and East Africa. Further analysis at a regional scale revealed further structuring of up to K = 3 genetic clusters in East African Nile perch. Significantly (P < 0.05) lower genetic diversity based on analysis of allelic richness (AR) was obtained for the two translocated populations of Lake Kyoga (AR = 3.61) and Lake Victoria (AR = 3.52), compared to Nile perch populations from their putative origins of Lakes Albert (AR = 4.12) and Turkana (AR = 4.43). The lower genetic diversity in the translocated populations may be an indication of previous bottlenecks and may also indicate a difficulty for these populations to persist and adapt to climatic changes and anthropogenic pressures that are currently present in the East African region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose K. Basiita
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- National Agricultural Research Organization, National Fisheries Resources Research Institute, Aquaculture Research and Development Center Kajjansi, Kampala, Uganda
- WorldFish Zambia Office, Ridgeway Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kyall R. Zenger
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew T Mwanja
- National Agricultural Research Organization, National Fisheries Resources Research Institute, Aquaculture Research and Development Center Kajjansi, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dean R. Jerry
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Main DC, van Vuuren BJ, Tolley KA. Cryptic diversity in the common flap-necked chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis in South Africa. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2018.1446358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Devon C Main
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Bettine Jansen van Vuuren
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Krystal A Tolley
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
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22
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Hemmink JD, Sitt T, Pelle R, de Klerk-Lorist LM, Shiels B, Toye PG, Morrison WI, Weir W. Ancient diversity and geographical sub-structuring in African buffalo Theileria parva populations revealed through metagenetic analysis of antigen-encoding loci. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:287-296. [PMID: 29408266 PMCID: PMC5854372 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
An infection and treatment protocol involving infection with a mixture of three parasite isolates and simultaneous treatment with oxytetracycline is currently used to vaccinate cattle against Theileria parva. While vaccination results in high levels of protection in some regions, little or no protection is observed in areas where animals are challenged predominantly by parasites of buffalo origin. A previous study involving sequencing of two antigen-encoding genes from a series of parasite isolates indicated that this is associated with greater antigenic diversity in buffalo-derived T. parva. The current study set out to extend these analyses by applying high-throughput sequencing to ex vivo samples from naturally infected buffalo to determine the extent of diversity in a set of antigen-encoding genes. Samples from two populations of buffalo, one in Kenya and the other in South Africa, were examined to investigate the effect of geographical distance on the nature of sequence diversity. The results revealed a number of significant findings. First, there was a variable degree of nucleotide sequence diversity in all gene segments examined, with the percentage of polymorphic nucleotides ranging from 10% to 69%. Second, large numbers of allelic variants of each gene were found in individual animals, indicating multiple infection events. Third, despite the observed diversity in nucleotide sequences, several of the gene products had highly conserved amino acid sequences, and thus represent potential candidates for vaccine development. Fourth, although compelling evidence for population differentiation between the Kenyan and South African T. parva parasites was identified, analysis of molecular variance for each gene revealed that the majority of the underlying nucleotide sequence polymorphism was common to both areas, indicating that much of this aspect of genetic variation in the parasite population arose prior to geographic separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanneke D Hemmink
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; The International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tatjana Sitt
- The International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Roger Pelle
- The International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lin-Mari de Klerk-Lorist
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), National Department of Agriculture, PO Box 12, Skukuza, Kruger National Park, 1350, South Africa
| | - Brian Shiels
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Henry Wellcome Building, Garscube Campus, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Philip G Toye
- The International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - W Ivan Morrison
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - William Weir
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Henry Wellcome Building, Garscube Campus, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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Pedersen CET, Albrechtsen A, Etter PD, Johnson EA, Orlando L, Chikhi L, Siegismund HR, Heller R. A southern African origin and cryptic structure in the highly mobile plains zebra. Nat Ecol Evol 2018; 2:491-498. [PMID: 29358610 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0453-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The plains zebra (Equus quagga) is an ecologically important species of the African savannah. It is also one of the most numerous and widely distributed ungulates, and six subspecies have been described based on morphological variation. However, the within-species evolutionary processes have been difficult to resolve due to its high mobility and a lack of consensus regarding the population structure. We obtained genome-wide DNA polymorphism data from more than 167,000 loci for 59 plains zebras from across the species range, encompassing all recognized extant subspecies, as well as three mountain zebras (Equus zebra) and three Grevy's zebras (Equus grevyi). Surprisingly, the population genetic structure does not mirror the morphology-based subspecies delineation, underlining the dangers of basing management units exclusively on morphological variation. We use demographic modelling to provide insights into the past phylogeography of the species. The results identify a southern African location as the most likely source region from which all extant populations expanded around 370,000 years ago. We show evidence for inclusion of the extinct and phenotypically divergent quagga (Equus quagga quagga) in the plains zebra variation and reveal that it was less divergent from the other subspecies than the northernmost (Ugandan) extant population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casper-Emil T Pedersen
- Department of Biology, Section for Computational and RNA Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anders Albrechtsen
- Department of Biology, Section for Computational and RNA Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paul D Etter
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Eric A Johnson
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Ludovic Orlando
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lounes Chikhi
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paul Sabatier, École Nationale de Formation Agronomique, UMR 5174 Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique, Toulouse, France
| | - Hans R Siegismund
- Department of Biology, Section for Computational and RNA Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Heller
- Department of Biology, Section for Computational and RNA Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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van Vuuren BJ, Rushworth I, Montgelard C. Phylogeography of oribi antelope in South Africa: evolutionary versus anthropogenic panmixia. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2017.1386077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bettine Jansen van Vuuren
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ian Rushworth
- Ecological Advice Division, Scientific Services, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Claudine Montgelard
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- CEFE, PSL-EPHE (Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés), CNRS, University of Montpellier, University Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, IRD, Montpellier, France
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Anco C, Kolokotronis SO, Henschel P, Cunningham SW, Amato G, Hekkala E. Historical mitochondrial diversity in African leopards (Panthera pardus) revealed by archival museum specimens. Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2017; 29:455-473. [PMID: 28423965 DOI: 10.1080/24701394.2017.1307973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Once found throughout Africa and Eurasia, the leopard (Panthera pardus) was recently uplisted from Near Threatened to Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Historically, more than 50% of the leopard's global range occurred in continental Africa, yet sampling from this part of the species' distribution is only sparsely represented in prior studies examining patterns of genetic variation at the continental or global level. Broad sampling to determine baseline patterns of genetic variation throughout the leopard's historical distribution is important, as these measures are currently used by the IUCN to direct conservation priorities and management plans. By including data from 182 historical museum specimens, faecal samples from ongoing field surveys, and published sequences representing sub-Saharan Africa, we identify previously unrecognized genetic diversity in African leopards. Our mtDNA data indicates high levels of divergence among regional populations and strongly differentiated lineages in West Africa on par with recent studies of other large vertebrates. We provide a reference benchmark of genetic diversity in African leopards against which future monitoring can be compared. These findings emphasize the utility of historical museum collections in understanding the processes that shape present biodiversity. Additionally, we suggest future research to clarify African leopard taxonomy and to differentiate between delineated units requiring monitoring or conservation action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Anco
- a Department of Biological Sciences , Fordham University , Bronx , USA.,b Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History , New York , USA
| | - Sergios-Orestis Kolokotronis
- b Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History , New York , USA.,c Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , SUNY Downstate Medical Center , Brooklyn , USA
| | | | - Seth W Cunningham
- a Department of Biological Sciences , Fordham University , Bronx , USA
| | - George Amato
- b Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History , New York , USA
| | - Evon Hekkala
- a Department of Biological Sciences , Fordham University , Bronx , USA.,b Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History , New York , USA
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Glanzmann B, Möller M, le Roex N, Tromp G, Hoal EG, van Helden PD. The complete genome sequence of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). BMC Genomics 2016; 17:1001. [PMID: 27927182 PMCID: PMC5142436 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3364-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is an important role player in the savannah ecosystem. It has become a species of relevance because of its role as a wildlife maintenance host for an array of infectious and zoonotic diseases some of which include corridor disease, foot-and-mouth disease and bovine tuberculosis. To date, no complete genome sequence for S. caffer had been available for study and the genomes of other species such as the domestic cow (Bos taurus) had been used as a proxy for any genetics analysis conducted on this species. Here, the high coverage genome sequence of the African buffalo (S. caffer) is presented. RESULTS A total of 19,765 genes were predicted and 19,296 genes could be successfully annotated to S. caffer while 469 genes remained unannotated. Moreover, in order to extend a detailed annotation of S. caffer, gene clusters were constructed using twelve additional mammalian genomes. The S. caffer genome contains 10,988 gene clusters, of which 62 are shared exclusively between B. taurus and S. caffer. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a unique genomic perspective for the S. caffer, allowing for the identification of novel variants that may play a role in the natural history and physiological adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Glanzmann
- SA MRC Centre for TB Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Marlo Möller
- SA MRC Centre for TB Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nikki le Roex
- SA MRC Centre for TB Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gerard Tromp
- SA MRC Centre for TB Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Eileen G Hoal
- SA MRC Centre for TB Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Paul D van Helden
- SA MRC Centre for TB Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identification and characterization in a non-model organism, the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), using next generation sequencing. Mamm Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2016.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Zimkus BM, Lawson LP, Barej MF, Barratt CD, Channing A, Dash KM, Dehling JM, Du Preez L, Gehring PS, Greenbaum E, Gvoždík V, Harvey J, Kielgast J, Kusamba C, Nagy ZT, Pabijan M, Penner J, Rödel MO, Vences M, Lötters S. Leapfrogging into new territory: How Mascarene ridged frogs diversified across Africa and Madagascar to maintain their ecological niche. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 106:254-269. [PMID: 27664344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Mascarene ridged frog, Ptychadena mascareniensis, is a species complex that includes numerous lineages occurring mostly in humid savannas and open forests of mainland Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and the Mascarene Islands. Sampling across this broad distribution presents an opportunity to examine the genetic differentiation within this complex and to investigate how the evolution of bioclimatic niches may have shaped current biogeographic patterns. Using model-based phylogenetic methods and molecular-clock dating, we constructed a time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the group based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome b (cytb) genes and the nuclear RAG1 gene from 173 individuals. Haplotype networks were reconstructed and species boundaries were investigated using three species-delimitation approaches: Bayesian generalized mixed Yule-coalescent model (bGMYC), the Poisson Tree Process model (PTP) and a cluster algorithm (SpeciesIdentifier). Estimates of similarity in bioclimatic niche were calculated from species-distribution models (maxent) and multivariate statistics (Principal Component Analysis, Discriminant Function Analysis). Ancestral-area reconstructions were performed on the phylogeny using probabilistic approaches implemented in BioGeoBEARS. We detected high levels of genetic differentiation yielding ten distinct lineages or operational taxonomic units, and Central Africa was found to be a diversity hotspot for these frogs. Most speciation events took place throughout the Miocene, including "out-of-Africa" overseas dispersal events to Madagascar in the East and to São Tomé in the West. Bioclimatic niche was remarkably well conserved, with most species tolerating similar temperature and rainfall conditions common to the Central African region. The P. mascareniensis complex provides insights into how bioclimatic niche shaped the current biogeographic patterns with niche conservatism being exhibited by the Central African radiation and niche divergence shaping populations in West Africa and Madagascar. Central Africa, including the Albertine Rift region, has been an important center of diversification for this species complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breda M Zimkus
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Lucinda P Lawson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 820F Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
| | - Michael F Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christopher D Barratt
- University of Basel, Biogeography Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Klingelbergstrasse 27, Basel 4056, Switzerland.
| | - Alan Channing
- University of the Western Cape, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
| | - Katrina M Dash
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA; Department of Biology, Tidewater Community College, 120 Campus Dr., Portsmouth, VA 23701, USA.
| | - J Maximilian Dehling
- Institute of Integrated Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Koblenz-Landau, Universitätsstraße 1, 56070 Koblenz, Germany.
| | - Louis Du Preez
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Somerset Street, Grahamstown 6139, South Africa.
| | - Philip-Sebastian Gehring
- Fakultät für Biologie Universität Bielefeld, Abt. Biologiedidaktik, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
| | - Václav Gvoždík
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic; National Museum, Department of Zoology, 19300 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - James Harvey
- Harvey Ecological, 35 Carbis Road, Pietermaritzburg 3201, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
| | - Jos Kielgast
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Département de Biologie, Lwiro, The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Zoltán T Nagy
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Joint Experimental Molecular Unit, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Maciej Pabijan
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Johannes Penner
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Wildlife Ecology & Management, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Miguel Vences
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße. 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Stefan Lötters
- Trier University, Department of Biogeography, 54286 Trier, Germany.
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Bertola LD, Jongbloed H, van der Gaag KJ, de Knijff P, Yamaguchi N, Hooghiemstra H, Bauer H, Henschel P, White PA, Driscoll CA, Tende T, Ottosson U, Saidu Y, Vrieling K, de Iongh HH. Phylogeographic Patterns in Africa and High Resolution Delineation of Genetic Clades in the Lion (Panthera leo). Sci Rep 2016; 6:30807. [PMID: 27488946 PMCID: PMC4973251 DOI: 10.1038/srep30807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparative phylogeography of African savannah mammals shows a congruent pattern in which populations in West/Central Africa are distinct from populations in East/Southern Africa. However, for the lion, all African populations are currently classified as a single subspecies (Panthera leo leo), while the only remaining population in Asia is considered to be distinct (Panthera leo persica). This distinction is disputed both by morphological and genetic data. In this study we introduce the lion as a model for African phylogeography. Analyses of mtDNA sequences reveal six supported clades and a strongly supported ancestral dichotomy with northern populations (West Africa, Central Africa, North Africa/Asia) on one branch, and southern populations (North East Africa, East/Southern Africa and South West Africa) on the other. We review taxonomies and phylogenies of other large savannah mammals, illustrating that similar clades are found in other species. The described phylogeographic pattern is considered in relation to large scale environmental changes in Africa over the past 300,000 years, attributable to climate. Refugial areas, predicted by climate envelope models, further confirm the observed pattern. We support the revision of current lion taxonomy, as recognition of a northern and a southern subspecies is more parsimonious with the evolutionary history of the lion.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Bertola
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), PO Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.,Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H Jongbloed
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), PO Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.,Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - K J van der Gaag
- Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P de Knijff
- Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - N Yamaguchi
- Qatar University, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - H Hooghiemstra
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1018 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Bauer
- WildCRU, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford. Tubney House, Abingdon Road, OX13 5QL, UK
| | - P Henschel
- Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
| | - P A White
- Center for Tropical Research, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1496, USA
| | - C A Driscoll
- Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - T Tende
- A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, P.O. Box 13404 Jos, Nigeria
| | - U Ottosson
- A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, P.O. Box 13404 Jos, Nigeria
| | - Y Saidu
- Nigeria National Park Service, PMB 0258 Garki-Abuja, Nigeria
| | - K Vrieling
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H H de Iongh
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), PO Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.,University of Antwerp, Department Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
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30
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Dowell SA, Portik DM, de Buffrénil V, Ineich I, Greenbaum E, Kolokotronis SO, Hekkala ER. Molecular data from contemporary and historical collections reveal a complex story of cryptic diversification in the Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus Species Group. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 94:591-604. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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31
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Bertola LD, Tensen L, van Hooft P, White PA, Driscoll CA, Henschel P, Caragiulo A, Dias-Freedman I, Sogbohossou EA, Tumenta PN, Jirmo TH, de Snoo GR, de Iongh HH, Vrieling K. Autosomal and mtDNA Markers Affirm the Distinctiveness of Lions in West and Central Africa. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137975. [PMID: 26466139 PMCID: PMC4605676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary history of a species is key for understanding the taxonomy and for the design of effective management strategies for species conservation. The knowledge about the phylogenetic position of the lion (Panthera leo) in West/Central Africa is largely based on mitochondrial markers. Previous studies using mtDNA only have shown this region to hold a distinct evolutionary lineage. In addition, anthropogenic factors have led to a strong decline in West/Central African lion numbers, thus, the conservation value of these populations is particularly high. Here, we investigate whether autosomal markers are concordant with previously described phylogeographic patterns, and confirm the unique position of the West/Central African lion. Analysis of 20 microsatellites and 1,454 bp of the mitochondrial DNA in 16 lion populations representing the entire geographic range of the species found congruence in both types of markers, identifying four clusters: 1) West/Central Africa, 2) East Africa, 3) Southern Africa and 4) India. This is not in line with the current taxonomy, as defined by the IUCN, which only recognizes an African and an Asiatic subspecies. There are no indications that genetic diversity in West/Central Africa lions is lower than in either East or Southern Africa, however, given this genetic distinction and the recent declines of lion numbers in this region, we strongly recommend prioritization of conservation projects in West/Central Africa. As the current taxonomic nomenclature does not reflect the evolutionary history of the lion, we suggest that a taxonomic revision of the lion is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D. Bertola
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), PO Box 9518, 2300, RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), PO Box 9505, 2300, RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Tensen
- University of Johannesburg, Department of Zoology, PO Box 524, Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa
| | - Pim van Hooft
- Wageningen University, Resource Ecology Group, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708, PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paula A. White
- Center for Tropical Research, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, La Kretz Hall Suite 300, 619 Charles E. Young Dr. East, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095–1496, United States of America
| | | | - Philipp Henschel
- Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY, 10018, United States of America
| | - Anthony Caragiulo
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street at Central Park West, New York, NY, 10024, United States of America
| | - Isabela Dias-Freedman
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street at Central Park West, New York, NY, 10024, United States of America
| | - Etotépé A. Sogbohossou
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), PO Box 9518, 2300, RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Appliquée, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Champ de Foire 03 BP 1974, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Pricelia N. Tumenta
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), PO Box 9518, 2300, RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre for Environment and Development Studies in Cameroon, University of Dschang, BP 410, Maroua, Cameroon
| | - Tuqa H. Jirmo
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), PO Box 9518, 2300, RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Geert R. de Snoo
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), PO Box 9518, 2300, RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans H. de Iongh
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), PO Box 9518, 2300, RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- University of Antwerp, Department Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vrieling
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), PO Box 9505, 2300, RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Péron G, Altwegg R. Departures from the Energy-Biodiversity Relationship in South African Passerines: Are the Legacies of Past Climates Mediated by Behavioral Constraints on Dispersal? PLoS One 2015; 10:e0133992. [PMID: 26208300 PMCID: PMC4514734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Legacies of paleoclimates in contemporary biodiversity patterns have mostly been investigated with global datasets, or with weakly dispersive organisms, and as a consequence been interpreted in terms of geographical or physical constraints. If paleoclimatic legacies also occurred at the regional scale in the distributions of vagile organisms within biomes, they would rather suggest behavioral constraints on dispersal, i.e., philopatric syndromes. We examined 1) the residuals of the regression between contemporary energy and passerine species richness in South African biomes and 2) phylogenetic dispersion of passerine assemblages, using occupancy models and quarter-degree resolution citizen science data. We found a northeast to southwest gradient within mesic biomes congruent with the location of Quaternary mesic refugia, overall suggesting that as distance from refugia increased, more clades were lacking from local assemblages. A similar but weaker pattern was detected in the arid Karoo Biomes. In mobile organisms such as birds, behavioral constraints on dispersal appear strong enough to influence species distributions thousands of years after historical range contractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Péron
- Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Res Altwegg
- Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa
- African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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33
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Sithaldeen R, Ackermann RR, Bishop JM. Pleistocene aridification cycles shaped the contemporary genetic architecture of Southern African baboons. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123207. [PMID: 25970269 PMCID: PMC4430493 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plio-Pleistocene environmental change influenced the evolutionary history of many animal lineages in Africa, highlighting key roles for both climate and tectonics in the evolution of Africa’s faunal diversity. Here, we explore diversification in the southern African chacma baboon Papio ursinus sensu lato and reveal a dominant role for increasingly arid landscapes during past glacial cycles in shaping contemporary genetic structure. Recent work on baboons (Papio spp.) supports complex lineage structuring with a dominant pulse of diversification occurring 1-2Ma, and yet the link to palaeoenvironmental change remains largely untested. Phylogeographic reconstruction based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data supports a scenario where chacma baboon populations were likely restricted to refugia during periods of regional cooling and drying through the Late Pleistocene. The two lineages of chacma baboon, ursinus and griseipes, are strongly geographically structured, and demographic reconstruction together with spatial analysis of genetic variation point to possible climate-driven isolating events where baboons may have retreated to more optimum conditions during cooler, drier periods. Our analysis highlights a period of continuous population growth beginning in the Middle to Late Pleistocene in both the ursinus and the PG2 griseipes lineages. All three clades identified in the study then enter a state of declining population size (Nef) through to the Holocene; this is particularly marked in the last 20,000 years, most likely coincident with the Last Glacial Maximum. The pattern recovered here conforms to expectations based on the dynamic regional climate trends in southern Africa through the Pleistocene and provides further support for complex patterns of diversification in the region’s biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riashna Sithaldeen
- Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Rebecca Rogers Ackermann
- Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline M. Bishop
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- * E-mail:
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34
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Smitz N, Cornélis D, Chardonnet P, Caron A, de Garine-Wichatitsky M, Jori F, Mouton A, Latinne A, Pigneur LM, Melletti M, Kanapeckas KL, Marescaux J, Pereira CL, Michaux J. Genetic structure of fragmented southern populations of African Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer). BMC Evol Biol 2014; 14:203. [PMID: 25367154 PMCID: PMC4232705 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-014-0203-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND African wildlife experienced a reduction in population size and geographical distribution over the last millennium, particularly since the 19th century as a result of human demographic expansion, wildlife overexploitation, habitat degradation and cattle-borne diseases. In many areas, ungulate populations are now largely confined within a network of loosely connected protected areas. These metapopulations face gene flow restriction and run the risk of genetic diversity erosion. In this context, we assessed the "genetic health" of free ranging southern African Cape buffalo populations (S.c. caffer) and investigated the origins of their current genetic structure. The analyses were based on 264 samples from 6 southern African countries that were genotyped for 14 autosomal and 3 Y-chromosomal microsatellites. RESULTS The analyses differentiated three significant genetic clusters, hereafter referred to as Northern (N), Central (C) and Southern (S) clusters. The results suggest that splitting of the N and C clusters occurred around 6000 to 8400 years ago. Both N and C clusters displayed high genetic diversity (mean allelic richness (A r ) of 7.217, average genetic diversity over loci of 0.594, mean private alleles (P a ) of 11), low differentiation, and an absence of an inbreeding depression signal (mean F IS = 0.037). The third (S) cluster, a tiny population enclosed within a small isolated protected area, likely originated from a more recent isolation and experienced genetic drift (F IS = 0.062, mean A r = 6.160, P a = 2). This study also highlighted the impact of translocations between clusters on the genetic structure of several African buffalo populations. Lower differentiation estimates were observed between C and N sampling localities that experienced translocation over the last century. CONCLUSIONS We showed that the current genetic structure of southern African Cape buffalo populations results from both ancient and recent processes. The splitting time of N and C clusters suggests that the current pattern results from human-induced factors and/or from the aridification process that occurred during the Holocene period. The more recent S cluster genetic drift probably results of processes that occurred over the last centuries (habitat fragmentation, diseases). Management practices of African buffalo populations should consider the micro-evolutionary changes highlighted in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Smitz
- />Departement of Life Sciences-Conservation Genetics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Daniel Cornélis
- />Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Montpellier, France
| | | | - Alexandre Caron
- />Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Montpellier, France
- />Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD)-RP-PCP, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- />Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michel de Garine-Wichatitsky
- />Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Montpellier, France
- />Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD)-RP-PCP, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- />Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Ferran Jori
- />Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Montpellier, France
- />Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- />Department of Animal Science and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Alice Mouton
- />Departement of Life Sciences-Conservation Genetics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Alice Latinne
- />Departement of Life Sciences-Conservation Genetics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- />Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution-CNRS-IRD, Université de Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
- />Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lise-Marie Pigneur
- />Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Mario Melletti
- />Independent researcher, Via Di Villa Chigi, Rome, Italy
| | - Kimberly L Kanapeckas
- />Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- />Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
| | - Jonathan Marescaux
- />Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | | | - Johan Michaux
- />Departement of Life Sciences-Conservation Genetics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Dobigny G, Tatard C, Gauthier P, Ba K, Duplantier JM, Granjon L, Kergoat GJ. Mitochondrial and nuclear genes-based phylogeography of Arvicanthis niloticus (Murinae) and sub-Saharan open habitats pleistocene history. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77815. [PMID: 24223730 PMCID: PMC3815218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A phylogeographic study was conducted on the Nile grass rat, Arvicanthis niloticus, a rodent species that is tightly associated with open grasslands from the Sudano-Sahelian regions. Using one mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and one nuclear (intron 7 of Beta Fibrinogen) gene, robust patterns were retrieved that clearly show that (i) the species originated in East Africa concomitantly with expanding grasslands some 2 Ma, and (ii) four parapatric and genetically well-defined lineages differentiated essentially from East to West following Pleistocene bioclimatic cycles. This strongly points towards allopatric genetic divergence within savannah refuges during humid episodes, then dispersal during arid ones; secondary contact zones would have then stabilized around geographic barriers, namely, Niger River and Lake Chad basins. Our results pertinently add to those obtained for several other African rodent as well as non-rodent species that inhabit forests, humid zones, savannahs and deserts, all studies that now allow one to depict a more comprehensive picture of the Pleistocene history of the continent south of the Sahara. In particular, although their precise location remains to be determined, at least three Pleistocene refuges are identified within the West and Central African savannah biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauthier Dobigny
- IRD, CBGP (IRD, Inra, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), Campus de Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
- Centre Régional Agrhymet, Rive Droite, Niamey, Niger
| | - Caroline Tatard
- Inra, CBGP (IRD, Inra, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), Campus de Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
| | - Philippe Gauthier
- IRD, CBGP (IRD, Inra, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), Campus de Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
| | - Khalilou Ba
- IRD, CBGP (IRD, Inra, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Jean-Marc Duplantier
- IRD, CBGP (IRD, Inra, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), Campus de Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
| | - Laurent Granjon
- IRD, CBGP (IRD, Inra, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), Campus de Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
- IRD, CBGP (IRD, Inra, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Gael J. Kergoat
- Inra, CBGP (IRD, Inra, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), Campus de Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
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Heller R, Chikhi L, Siegismund HR. The confounding effect of population structure on Bayesian skyline plot inferences of demographic history. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62992. [PMID: 23667558 PMCID: PMC3646956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many coalescent-based methods aiming to infer the demographic history of populations assume a single, isolated and panmictic population (i.e. a Wright-Fisher model). While this assumption may be reasonable under many conditions, several recent studies have shown that the results can be misleading when it is violated. Among the most widely applied demographic inference methods are Bayesian skyline plots (BSPs), which are used across a range of biological fields. Violations of the panmixia assumption are to be expected in many biological systems, but the consequences for skyline plot inferences have so far not been addressed and quantified. We simulated DNA sequence data under a variety of scenarios involving structured populations with variable levels of gene flow and analysed them using BSPs as implemented in the software package BEAST. Results revealed that BSPs can show false signals of population decline under biologically plausible combinations of population structure and sampling strategy, suggesting that the interpretation of several previous studies may need to be re-evaluated. We found that a balanced sampling strategy whereby samples are distributed on several populations provides the best scheme for inferring demographic change over a typical time scale. Analyses of data from a structured African buffalo population demonstrate how BSP results can be strengthened by simulations. We recommend that sample selection should be carefully considered in relation to population structure previous to BSP analyses, and that alternative scenarios should be evaluated when interpreting signals of population size change.
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