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Valladares MA, Fabres AA, Sánchez-Rodríguez F, Collado GA, Méndez MA. Population structure and microscale morphological differentiation in a freshwater snail from the Chilean Altiplano. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:5. [PMID: 38184553 PMCID: PMC10770964 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02196-w] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diversity and population genetic structure of many species have been shaped by historical and contemporary climatic changes. For the species of the South American Altiplano, the historical climatic changes are mainly related to the wet events of great magnitude and regional influence that occurred during the Pleistocene climatic oscillations (PCOs). In contrast, contemporary climate changes are associated with events of lesser magnitude and local influence related to intensifications of the South American Summer Monsoon (SASM). Although multiple studies have analyzed the effect of PCOs on the genetic patterns of highland aquatic species, little is known about the impact of contemporary climate changes in recent evolutionary history. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the change in population structure and connectivity using nuclear and mitochondrial markers throughout the distribution range of Heleobia ascotanensis, a freshwater Cochliopidae endemic to the Ascotán Saltpan. In addition, using geometric morphometric analyses, we evaluated the concomitance of genetic divergence and morphological differentiation. RESULTS The mitochondrial sequence analysis results revealed the presence of highly divergent co-distributed and geographically nested haplotypes. This pattern reflects an extension in the distribution of groups that previously would have differentiated allopatrically. These changes in distribution would have covered the entire saltpan and would be associated with the large-scale wet events of the PCOs. On the other hand, the microsatellite results defined five spatially isolated populations, separated primarily by geographic barriers. Contemporary gene flow analyses suggest that post-PCO, climatic events that would have connected all populations did not occur. The morphometric analyses results indicate that there is significant morphological differentiation in the populations that are more isolated and that present the greatest genetic divergence. CONCLUSIONS The contemporary population structure and morphological variation of H. ascotanensis mainly reflect the post-PCO climatic influence. Although both markers exhibit high genetic structuring, the microsatellite and morphology results show the preponderant influence of fragmentation in recent evolutionary history. The contemporary genetic pattern shows that in species that have limited dispersal capabilities, genetic discontinuities can appear rapidly, erasing signs of historical connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés A Valladares
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Grupo de Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (GBCG), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
| | - Alejandra A Fabres
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernanda Sánchez-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo A Collado
- Grupo de Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (GBCG), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
| | - Marco A Méndez
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Universidad de Magallanes, Puerto Williams, Chile.
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Fibla P, Sáez PA, Cruz-Jofré F, Méndez MA. Drainage Network Morphology Influences Population Structure and Gene Flow of the Andean Water Frog Telmatobius pefauri (Anura: Telmatobiidae) of the Atacama Desert, Northern Chile. Zool Stud 2023; 62:e44. [PMID: 37941796 PMCID: PMC10628555 DOI: 10.6620/zs.2023.62-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Desert aquatic species tend to show isolated and disconnected populations due to the fragmented nature of their environment; however, the morphology of the hydrographic basins, added to humid climatic conditions, can allow dispersion between populations in a desert environment. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of drainage morphology on the phylogeographic structure and gene flow (using a fragment of the mitochondrial control region and seven microsatellite markers) of an endemic taxon of the Andean Precordillera in the Atacama Desert, the aquatic frog species Telmatobius pefauri. We detected three genetic clusters, one cluster present in the Lluta basin and two clusters in the Azapa basin. The results suggest that the genetic structure of T. pefauri is influenced by the morphology of the drainage network formed by the Lluta and Azapa basins: localities present in the same drainage, Tignamar River, were less differentiated and showed higher gene flow levels among them than to their conspecifics belonging to the other drainage in the same basin, Seco River, and those belonging to the other basin, Lluta basin. Gene flow patterns and genetic structure to populations Atacama Andean aquatic taxa would be influenced by basin morphology, with dispersion being stimulated in dendritic hydrological systems, and eventually by humid climatic (regional) events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Fibla
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. E-mail: (Méndez); (Fibla); (Sáez); (Cruz-Jofré)
| | - Paola A Sáez
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. E-mail: (Méndez); (Fibla); (Sáez); (Cruz-Jofré)
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES)
| | - Franco Cruz-Jofré
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. E-mail: (Méndez); (Fibla); (Sáez); (Cruz-Jofré)
- Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Chile
| | - Marco A Méndez
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. E-mail: (Méndez); (Fibla); (Sáez); (Cruz-Jofré)
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES)
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad (IEB), Santiago, Chile
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Collado GA, Torres-Díaz C, Vidal MA, Valladares MA. Genetic Diversity, Morphometric Characterization, and Conservation Reassessment of the Critically Endangered Freshwater Snail, Heleobia atacamensis, in the Atacama Saltpan, Northern Chile. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:791. [PMID: 37372077 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Evaporitic ecosystems of the Atacama Desert contain a rich endemic fauna, including mollusk species. A recent study performed in the freshwater snail Heleobia atacamensis, endemic to the Atacama Saltpan, revealed a strong interdependence of genetic patterns with climatic fluctuations and landscape physiography. The species is currently listed as Critically Endangered at regional scale and as Data Deficient on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Here, we studied genetic diversity and demographic history of several populations of the species occurring on a connectivity gradient, including snails from new peripherical localities (Peine and Tilomonte), which were compared with topotype specimens. In addition, we reassessed the conservation status using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria considering species-specific idiosyncrasy. Phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses indicated that snails from Peine and Tilomonte belong to H. atacamensis. We discovered significant differentiation in shell morphology, which was generally greater in geographically isolated populations. We also inferred six genetic clusters and a demographic expansion congruent with the wet periods that occurred at the end of the Pleistocene. Considering the highest risk category obtained, H. atacamensis was reassessed as Endangered at regional scale. Future conservation plans should consider the genetic assemblages as conservation units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo A Collado
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán 3800708, Chile
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán 3800708, Chile
| | - Cristian Torres-Díaz
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán 3800708, Chile
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán 3800708, Chile
| | - Marcela A Vidal
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán 3800708, Chile
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán 3800708, Chile
| | - Moisés A Valladares
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán 3800708, Chile
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán 3800708, Chile
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Valladares MA, Fabres AA, Collado GA, Sáez PA, Méndez MA. Coping With Dynamism: Phylogenetics and Phylogeographic Analyses Reveal Cryptic Diversity in Heleobia Snails of Atacama Saltpan, Chile. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.869626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The species that inhabit systems highly affected by anthropic activities usually exhibit this external influence in their gene pool. In this study, we investigated the genetic patterns of populations of Heleobia atacamensis, a freshwater microgastropod endemic to the Atacama Saltpan, a system historically exposed to environmental changes, and currently subjected to conditions associated with metallic and non-metallic mining and other anthropic activities. Molecular analyses based on nuclear and mitochondrial sequences indicate that the saltpan populations are highly fragmented and that the genetic structure is mainly explained by historical geographic isolation, with little influence of contemporary factors. The microsatellite results suggest a moderate genetic diversity and sharp differentiation mediated by isolation by distance. Additionally, despite the high environmental heterogeneity detected and the marked historical dynamism of the region, our data reveal no signs of demographic instability. The patterns of contemporary gene flow suggest a change in the current genetic structure, based on the geographic proximity and specific environmental conditions for each population. Our results, highlight the role of fragmentation as a modulator of genetic diversity, but also suggest that the historical persistence of isolated populations in naturally dynamic environments could explain the apparent demographic stability detected.
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Vila I, Hermosilla V, Gonzalez F, Sobarzo G, Rojas P. Macroinvertebrate community structure in an extreme altiplanic environment from Chile: The Ascotán salt pan. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Collado GA, Fuentealba CG, Cazzaniga NJ, Valladares MA. Assessing biodiversity within the range of Heleobia chimbaensis (Caenogastropoda: Cochliopidae) on the Atacama Desert coast. SYST BIODIVERS 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2020.1783018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo A. Collado
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán, Chile
| | - Carmen G. Fuentealba
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán, Chile
| | - Néstor J. Cazzaniga
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, Bahía Blanca, B8000ICN, Argentina
| | - Moisés A. Valladares
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Avenida Andrés Bello 720, Chillán, Chile
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Fabres AA, Valladares MA, Sáez PA, Collado GA, Pastenes L, Méndez MA. Novel microsatellite markers for an endangered freshwater snail, Heleobia atacamensis (Caenogastropoda: Cochliopidae), from the Atacama Saltpan. MOLLUSCAN RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/13235818.2020.1775367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra A. Fabres
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. Las Palmeras 3425, Santiago, Chile
| | - Moisés A. Valladares
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. Las Palmeras 3425, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paola A. Sáez
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. Las Palmeras 3425, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo A. Collado
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío. Av. Andrés Bello 720, Chillán, Chile
| | - Luis Pastenes
- Laboratorio de Genética y Adaptación a Ambientes Extremos, Departamento de Biología y Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule. Av. San Miguel #3605, Talca, Chile
| | - Marco A. Méndez
- Laboratorio de Genética y Evolución, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. Las Palmeras 3425, Santiago, Chile
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Vogler RE, Rumi A, Guzmán LB, Beltramino AA, Serniotti EN, Ferrari W, Peso JG. Hidden diversity in waterfall environments: The genus Acrorbis (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) from the Upper-Paraná Atlantic Forest. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220027. [PMID: 31323062 PMCID: PMC6641205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
High-energy freshwater environments such as rapids and waterfalls in the Upper-Paraná Atlantic Forest are home to highly endemic minute freshwater snails of the genus Acrorbis. Only one species, Acrorbis petricola, is currently included within this genus, whose geographical distribution is restricted to three known populations, one in Brazil and the other two in Argentina. Because of habitat specificity and limited geographical distribution, the species is considered vulnerable in Argentina and endangered in Brazil. In this work, we identify five new populations of A. petricola in southern Upper-Paraná Atlantic Forest, exclusively found on waterfalls from the Misiones Province, Argentina. Based on these populations and on specimens of one of the two historical populations from the Misiones Province, we explored the morphological features of shells and reproductive system of specimens from each location and provide the first molecular data on the species. We used DNA sequences from cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S-rRNA genes to investigate the molecular diversity, genetic distances and genealogical relationships among populations. We verified the existence of intra- and interpopulation morphological variability, with the greatest variation being found in spire, spiral sculpture, penis sheath, flagella, prostatic diverticula and bursa copulatrix. We found interpopulation genetic diversity, with no intrapopulation variation, and identified six geographically structured genetic lineages with maximum genetic distances of up to 2.3%. Different combinations of morphological characters with the same genetic background within each locality were observed. The finding of new populations genetically differentiated not only broadens the known distribution of the species, but also illustrates that waterfall environments in the Atlantic Forest harbour a hidden diversity of Acrorbis that still remains to be discovered. This scenario suggests a complex evolutionary history that needs to be unveiled and taken into account for future development of conservation strategies in this endemic genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto E. Vogler
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET—Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Alejandra Rumi
- División Zoología Invertebrados, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, CONICET, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leila B. Guzmán
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET—Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Ariel A. Beltramino
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET—Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Enzo N. Serniotti
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET—Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Walter Ferrari
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, CONICET, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juana G. Peso
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET—Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina
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