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Armstrong EE, Bissell KL, Fatima HS, Heikkinen MA, Jessup A, Junaid MO, Lee DH, Lieb EC, Liem JT, Martin EM, Moreno M, Otgonbayar K, Romans BW, Royar K, Adler MB, Needle DB, Harkess A, Kelley JL, Mooney JA, Mychajliw AM. Chromosome-level assembly of the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) confirms the basal loss of PRDM9 in Canidae. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkae034. [PMID: 38366575 PMCID: PMC10989890 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Reference genome assemblies have been created from multiple lineages within the Canidae family; however, despite its phylogenetic relevance as a basal genus within the clade, there is currently no reference genome for the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). Here, we present a chromosome-level assembly for the gray fox (U. cinereoargenteus), which represents the most contiguous, non-domestic canid reference genome available to date, with 90% of the genome contained in just 34 scaffolds and a contig N50 and scaffold N50 of 59.4 and 72.9 Megabases, respectively. Repeat analyses identified an increased number of simple repeats relative to other canids. Based on mitochondrial DNA, our Vermont sample clusters with other gray fox samples from the northeastern United States and contains slightly lower levels of heterozygosity than gray foxes on the west coast of California. This new assembly lays the groundwork for future studies to describe past and present population dynamics, including the delineation of evolutionarily significant units of management relevance. Importantly, the phylogenetic position of Urocyon allows us to verify the loss of PRDM9 functionality in the basal canid lineage, confirming that pseudogenization occurred at least 10 million years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie E Armstrong
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Ky L Bissell
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - H Sophia Fatima
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Maya A Heikkinen
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Anika Jessup
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Maryam O Junaid
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Dong H Lee
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Emily C Lieb
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Josef T Liem
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Estelle M Martin
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Mauricio Moreno
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | | | - Betsy W Romans
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Kim Royar
- Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, Montpelier, VT 05620, USA
| | - Mary Beth Adler
- Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, Montpelier, VT 05620, USA
| | - David B Needle
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Alex Harkess
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Joanna L Kelley
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Jazlyn A Mooney
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
| | - Alexis M Mychajliw
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
- Program in Environmental Studies, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
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Duckett DJ, Calder K, Sullivan J, Tank DC, Carstens BC. Reduced representation approaches produce similar results to whole genome sequencing for some common phylogeographic analyses. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291941. [PMID: 38032899 PMCID: PMC10688678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
When designing phylogeographic investigations researchers can choose to collect many different types of molecular markers, including mitochondrial genes or genomes, SNPs from reduced representation protocols, large sequence capture data sets, and even whole genomes. Given that the statistical power and accuracy of various analyses are expected to differ depending on both the type of marker and the amount of data collected, an exploration of the variance across methodological results as a function of marker type should provide valuable information to researchers. Here we collect mitochondrial Cytochrome b sequences, whole mitochondrial genomes, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)s isolated using a genotype by sequencing (GBS) protocol, sequences from ultraconserved elements, and low-coverage nuclear genomes from the North American water vole (Microtus richardsoni). We estimate genetic distances, population genetic structure, and historical demography using data from each of these datasets and compare the results across markers. As anticipated, the results exhibit differences across marker types, particularly in terms of the resolution offered by different analyses. A cost-benefit analysis indicates that SNPs collected using a GBS protocol are the most cost-effective molecular marker, with inferences that mirror those collected from the whole genome data at a fraction of the cost per sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew J. Duckett
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Kailee Calder
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Jack Sullivan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States of America
| | - David C. Tank
- Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States of America
| | - Bryan C. Carstens
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
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Preckler-Quisquater S, Kierepka EM, Reding DM, Piaggio AJ, Sacks BN. Can demographic histories explain long-term isolation and recent pulses of asymmetric gene flow between highly divergent grey fox lineages? Mol Ecol 2023; 32:5323-5337. [PMID: 37632719 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17105] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Secondary contact zones between deeply divergent, yet interfertile, lineages provide windows into the speciation process. North American grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are divided into western and eastern lineages that diverged approximately 1 million years ago. These ancient lineages currently hybridize in a relatively narrow zone of contact in the southern Great Plains, a pattern more commonly observed in smaller-bodied taxa, which suggests relatively recent contact after a long period of allopatry. Based on local ancestry inference with whole-genome sequencing (n = 43), we identified two distinct Holocene pulses of admixture. The older pulse (500-3500 YBP) reflected unidirectional gene flow from east to west, whereas the more recent pulse (70-200 YBP) of admixture was bi-directional. Augmented with genotyping-by-sequencing data from 216 additional foxes, demographic analyses indicated that the eastern lineage declined precipitously after divergence, remaining small throughout most of the late Pleistocene, and expanding only during the Holocene. Genetic diversity in the eastern lineage was highest in the southeast and lowest near the contact zone, consistent with a westward expansion. Concordantly, distribution modelling indicated that during their isolation, the most suitable habitat occurred far east of today's contact zone or west of the Great Plains. Thus, long-term isolation was likely caused by the small, distant location of the eastern refugium, with recent contact reflecting a large increase in suitable habitat and corresponding demographic expansion from the eastern refugium. Ultimately, long-term isolation in grey foxes may reflect their specialized bio-climatic niche. This system presents an opportunity for future investigation of potential pre- and post-zygotic isolating mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Preckler-Quisquater
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Kierepka
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dawn M Reding
- Department of Biology, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, USA
| | - Antoinette J Piaggio
- USDA, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Genetics Lab, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Benjamin N Sacks
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Cicero C, Mason NA, Oong Z, Title PO, Morales ME, Feldheim KA, Koo MS, Bowie RCK. Deep ecomorphological and genetic divergence in Steller's Jays ( Cyanocitta stelleri, Aves: Corvidae). Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9517. [PMCID: PMC9712489 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between ecology and morphology is a cornerstone of evolutionary biology, and quantifying variation across environments can shed light on processes that give rise to biodiversity. Three morphotypes of the Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) occupy different ecoregions in western North America, which vary in climate and landcover. These morphotypes (Coastal, Interior, Rocky Mountain) differ in size, plumage coloration, and head pattern. We sampled 1080 Steller's Jays from 68 populations (plus 11 outgroups) to address three main questions using data on morphology, plumage, genetics (mtDNA, microsatellites), and ecological niches: (1) How do phenotypic and genetic traits vary within and among populations, morphotypes, and ecoregions? (2) How do population‐level differences in Steller's Jays compare with other sister species pairs of North American birds? (3) What can we infer about the population history of Steller's Jays in relation to past climates, paleoecology, and niche evolution? We found substantial morphological, genetic, and ecological differentiation among morphotypes. The greatest genetic divergence separated Coastal and Interior morphotypes from the Rocky Mountain morphotype, which was associated with warmer, drier, and more open habitats. Microsatellites revealed additional structure between Coastal and Interior groups. The deep mtDNA split between Coastal/Interior and Rocky Mountain lineages of Steller's Jay (ND2 ~ 7.8%) is older than most North American avian sister species and dates to approximately 4.3 mya. Interior and Rocky Mountain morphotypes contact across a narrow zone with steep clines in traits and reduced gene flow. The distribution of the three morphotypes coincides with divergent varieties of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Species distribution models support multiple glacial refugia for Steller's Jays. Our integrative dataset combined with extensive geographic sampling provides compelling evidence for recognizing at least two species of Steller's Jay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cicero
- Museum of Vertebrate ZoologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Nicholas A. Mason
- Museum of Vertebrate ZoologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA,Museum of Natural Science and Department of Biological SciencesLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | - Zheng Oong
- Museum of Vertebrate ZoologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA,Bell Museum of Natural History and Department of Ecology, Evolution and BehaviorUniversity of MinnesotaSaint PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Pascal O. Title
- Environmental Resilience InstituteIndiana UniversityBloomingtonIndianaUSA,Department of Ecology & EvolutionStony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew YorkUSA
| | - Melissa E. Morales
- Museum of Vertebrate ZoologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kevin A. Feldheim
- Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution, Negaunee Integrative Research CenterField Museum of Natural HistoryChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Michelle S. Koo
- Museum of Vertebrate ZoologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rauri C. K. Bowie
- Museum of Vertebrate ZoologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA,Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
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Sacks BN, Statham MJ, Serieys LEK, Riley SPD. Population Genetics of California Gray Foxes Clarify Origins of the Island Fox. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101859. [PMID: 36292742 PMCID: PMC9602142 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
We used mitochondrial sequences and nuclear microsatellites to investigate population structure of gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and the evolutionary origins of the endemic island fox (Urocyon littoralis), which first appeared in the northern Channel Islands <13,000 years ago and in the southern Channel Islands <6000 years ago. It is unclear whether island foxes evolved directly from mainland gray foxes transported to the islands one or more times or from a now-extinct mainland population, already diverged from the gray fox. Our 345 mitochondrial sequences, combined with previous data, confirmed island foxes to be monophyletic, tracing to a most recent common ancestor approximately 85,000 years ago. Our rooted nuclear DNA tree additionally indicated genome-wide monophyly of island foxes relative to western gray foxes, although we detected admixture in northern island foxes from adjacent mainland gray foxes, consistent with some historical gene flow. Southern California gray foxes also bore a genetic signature of admixture and connectivity to a desert population, consistent with partial replacement by a late-Holocene range expansion. Using our outgroup analysis to root previous nuclear sequence-based trees indicated reciprocal monophyly of northern versus southern island foxes. Results were most consistent with island fox origins through multiple introductions from a now-extirpated mainland population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin N. Sacks
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Center for Veterinary Genetics, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Mark J. Statham
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Center for Veterinary Genetics, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Seth P. D. Riley
- National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 401 W Hillcrest Dr, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, USA
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Do habitat and elevation promote hybridization during secondary contact between three genetically distinct groups of warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus)? Heredity (Edinb) 2022; 128:352-363. [PMID: 35396350 PMCID: PMC9076831 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-022-00529-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Following postglacial expansion, secondary contact can occur between genetically distinct lineages. These genetic lineages may be associated with specific habitat or environmental variables and therefore, their distributions in secondary contact could reflect such conditions within these areas. Here we used mtDNA, microsatellite, and morphological data to study three genetically distinct groups of warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus) and investigate the role that elevation and habitat play in their distributions. We studied two main contact zones and within each contact zone, we examined two separate transects. Across the Great Plains contact zone, we found that hybridization between eastern and western groups occurs along a habitat and elevational gradient, whereas hybridization across the Rocky Mountain contact zone was not as closely associated with habitat or elevation. Hybrids in the Great Plains contact zone were more common in transitional areas between deciduous and mixed-wood forests, and at lower elevations (<1000 m). Hybridization patterns were similar along both Great Plains transects indicating that habitat and elevation play a role in hybridization between distinct eastern and western genetic groups. The observed patterns suggest adaptation to different habitats, perhaps originating during isolation in multiple Pleistocene refugia, is facilitating hybridization in areas where habitat types overlap.
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