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St John ME, Dunker JC, Richards EJ, Romero S, Martin CH. Parallel evolution of integrated craniofacial traits in trophic specialist pupfishes. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11640. [PMID: 38979003 PMCID: PMC11228360 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11640] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Populations may adapt to similar environments via parallel or non-parallel genetic changes, but the frequency of these alternative mechanisms and underlying contributing factors are still poorly understood outside model systems. We used QTL mapping to investigate the genetic basis of highly divergent craniofacial traits between the scale-eater (Cyprinodon desquamator) and molluscivore (C. brontotheroides) pupfish adapting to two different hypersaline lake environments on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. We lab-reared F2 scale-eater x molluscivore intercrosses from two different lake populations, estimated linkage maps, scanned for significant QTL for 29 skeletal and craniofacial traits, female mate preference, and sex. We compared the location of QTL between lakes to quantify parallel and non-parallel genetic changes. We detected significant QTL for six craniofacial traits in at least one lake. However, nearly all shared QTL loci were associated with a different craniofacial trait within each lake. Therefore, our estimate of parallel evolution of craniofacial genetic architecture could range from one out of six identical trait QTL (low parallelism) to five out of six integrated trait QTL (high parallelism). We suggest that pleiotropy and trait integration can affect estimates of parallel evolution, particularly within rapid radiations. We also observed increased adaptive introgression in shared QTL regions, suggesting that gene flow contributed to parallel evolution. Overall, our results suggest that the same genomic regions may contribute to parallel adaptation across integrated suites of craniofacial traits, rather than specific traits, and highlight the need for a more expansive definition of parallel evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia C Dunker
- Department of Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley California USA
| | - Emilie J Richards
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Stephanie Romero
- Department of Evolution and Ecology University of California Davis California USA
| | - Christopher H Martin
- Department of Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley California USA
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology University of California Berkeley California USA
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2
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Liu T, Ji D, Li X, Liu J, Xu F, Miao Z, Chang Y, Tian M, Xu C. Population genetics reveals new introgression in the nucleus herd of min pigs. Genes Genomics 2024; 46:389-398. [PMID: 38381321 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-024-01490-1] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Min pigs are a unique genetic resource among local pig breeds in China. They have more excellent characteristics in cold and stress resistance, good meat quality, and a high reproductive rate. However, the genetic structure and driving factors remain unclear in the nucleus herd. In this study, the genetic diversity of Min pigs was studied to reveal the formation mechanism of its unique genetic structure. We hope to protect and develop the genetic resources of Min pigs. METHODS We analyzed different types of genes to identify the genetic structure and gene introgression pattern of Min pigs. The nuclear DNA dataset includes information on 21 microsatellite loci and 6 Y-chromosome genes, and the mitochondrial D-loop gene is selected to represent maternal lineages. The above genes are all from the nucleus herd of Min pigs. RESULTS The results of genetic structure identification and analysis of potential exogenous gene introgression patterns indicate that the nucleus herd of Min pigs maintains a high level of genetic diversity (polymorphism information content = 0.713, expected heterozygosity = 0.662, observed heterozygosity = 0.612). Compared with other Asian pig breeds, the formation of Min pig breeds is more special. Gene introgression from European pig breeds to Min pigs has occurred, which is characterized by complete introgression of paternal genes and incomplete introgression of maternal genes. CONCLUSION Gene introgression caused by cross-breeding is not the main factor leading to the formation of the current genetic structure of Min pigs, but this process has increased the level of genetic diversity in the nucleus herd. Compared with the influence of gene introgression, our research suggest that artificial selection and environmental adaptive evolution make Min pigs form unique genetic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongqing Ji
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiadong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiying Miao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Chang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Tian
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunzhu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Taylor RS, Manseau M, Keobouasone S, Liu P, Mastromonaco G, Solmundson K, Kelly A, Larter NC, Gamberg M, Schwantje H, Thacker C, Polfus J, Andrew L, Hervieux D, Simmons D, Wilson PJ. High genetic load without purging in caribou, a diverse species at risk. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1234-1246.e7. [PMID: 38417444 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.002] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
High intra-specific genetic diversity is associated with adaptive potential, which is key for resilience to global change. However, high variation may also support deleterious alleles through genetic load, thereby increasing the risk of inbreeding depression if population sizes decrease. Purging of deleterious variation has been demonstrated in some threatened species. However, less is known about the costs of declines and inbreeding in species with large population sizes and high genetic diversity even though this encompasses many species globally that are expected to undergo population declines. Caribou is a species of ecological and cultural significance in North America with a wide distribution supporting extensive phenotypic variation but with some populations undergoing significant declines resulting in their at-risk status in Canada. We assessed intra-specific genetic variation, adaptive divergence, inbreeding, and genetic load across populations with different demographic histories using an annotated chromosome-scale reference genome and 66 whole-genome sequences. We found high genetic diversity and nine phylogenomic lineages across the continent with adaptive diversification of genes, but also high genetic load among lineages. We found highly divergent levels of inbreeding across individuals, including the loss of alleles by drift but not increased purging in inbred individuals, which had more homozygous deleterious alleles. We also found comparable frequencies of homozygous deleterious alleles between lineages regardless of nucleotide diversity. Thus, further inbreeding may need to be mitigated through conservation efforts. Our results highlight the "double-edged sword" of genetic diversity that may be representative of other species atrisk affected by anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S Taylor
- Landscape Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - Micheline Manseau
- Landscape Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Sonesinh Keobouasone
- Landscape Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Peng Liu
- Landscape Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | | | - Kirsten Solmundson
- Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 1Z8, Canada
| | - Allicia Kelly
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Northwest Territories, PO Box 900, Fort Smith, NT X0E 0P0, Canada
| | - Nicholas C Larter
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Northwest Territories, PO Box 900, Fort Smith, NT X0E 0P0, Canada
| | - Mary Gamberg
- Gamberg Consulting, Jarvis Street, Whitehorse, YK Y1A 2J2, Canada
| | - Helen Schwantje
- British Columbia Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development, Labieux Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6E9, Canada
| | - Caeley Thacker
- British Columbia Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development, Labieux Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6E9, Canada
| | - Jean Polfus
- Canadian Wildlife Service - Pacific Region, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 1238 Discovery Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V9, Canada
| | - Leon Andrew
- Ɂehdzo Got'ı̨nę Gots'ę́ Nákedı (Sahtú Renewable Resources Board), P.O. Box 134, Tulít'a, NT X0E 0K0, Canada
| | - Dave Hervieux
- Alberta Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta, 10320-99 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6J4, Canada
| | - Deborah Simmons
- Ɂehdzo Got'ı̨nę Gots'ę́ Nákedı (Sahtú Renewable Resources Board), P.O. Box 134, Tulít'a, NT X0E 0K0, Canada
| | - Paul J Wilson
- Biology Department, Trent University, East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 1Z8, Canada
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4
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Hold K, Lord E, Brealey JC, Le Moullec M, Bieker VC, Ellegaard MR, Rasmussen JA, Kellner FL, Guschanski K, Yannic G, Røed KH, Hansen BB, Dalén L, Martin MD, Dussex N. Ancient reindeer mitogenomes reveal island-hopping colonisation of the Arctic archipelagos. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4143. [PMID: 38374421 PMCID: PMC10876933 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54296-2] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate warming at the end of the last glacial period had profound effects on the distribution of cold-adapted species. As their range shifted towards northern latitudes, they were able to colonise previously glaciated areas, including remote Arctic islands. However, there is still uncertainty about the routes and timing of colonisation. At the end of the last ice age, reindeer/caribou (Rangifer tarandus) expanded to the Holarctic region and colonised the archipelagos of Svalbard and Franz Josef Land. Earlier studies have proposed two possible colonisation routes, either from the Eurasian mainland or from Canada via Greenland. Here, we used 174 ancient, historical and modern mitogenomes to reconstruct the phylogeny of reindeer across its whole range and to infer the colonisation route of the Arctic islands. Our data shows a close affinity among Svalbard, Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya reindeer. We also found tentative evidence for positive selection in the mitochondrial gene ND4, which is possibly associated with increased heat production. Our results thus support a colonisation of the Eurasian Arctic archipelagos from the Eurasian mainland and provide some insights into the evolutionary history and adaptation of the species to its High Arctic habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hold
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes Gate 47B, 7012, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Edana Lord
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 10405, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jaelle C Brealey
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes Gate 47B, 7012, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute of Nature Research (NINA), Høgskoleringen 9, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mathilde Le Moullec
- Gjærevoll Centre for Biodiversity Foresight Analyses, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Mammals and Birds, Greenland, Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, 3900, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Vanessa C Bieker
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes Gate 47B, 7012, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Martin R Ellegaard
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes Gate 47B, 7012, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jacob A Rasmussen
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes Gate 47B, 7012, Trondheim, Norway
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fabian L Kellner
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes Gate 47B, 7012, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Katerina Guschanski
- Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, 75236, Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Glenn Yannic
- Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Knut H Røed
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Brage B Hansen
- Gjærevoll Centre for Biodiversity Foresight Analyses, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute of Nature Research (NINA), Høgskoleringen 9, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 10405, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael D Martin
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes Gate 47B, 7012, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Nicolas Dussex
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes Gate 47B, 7012, Trondheim, Norway.
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5
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Bergman J, Pedersen RØ, Lundgren EJ, Lemoine RT, Monsarrat S, Pearce EA, Schierup MH, Svenning JC. Worldwide Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene population declines in extant megafauna are associated with Homo sapiens expansion rather than climate change. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7679. [PMID: 37996436 PMCID: PMC10667484 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43426-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The worldwide extinction of megafauna during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene is evident from the fossil record, with dominant theories suggesting a climate, human or combined impact cause. Consequently, two disparate scenarios are possible for the surviving megafauna during this time period - they could have declined due to similar pressures, or increased in population size due to reductions in competition or other biotic pressures. We therefore infer population histories of 139 extant megafauna species using genomic data which reveal population declines in 91% of species throughout the Quaternary period, with larger species experiencing the strongest decreases. Declines become ubiquitous 32-76 kya across all landmasses, a pattern better explained by worldwide Homo sapiens expansion than by changes in climate. We estimate that, in consequence, total megafauna abundance, biomass, and energy turnover decreased by 92-95% over the past 50,000 years, implying major human-driven ecosystem restructuring at a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juraj Bergman
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Rasmus Ø Pedersen
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Erick J Lundgren
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rhys T Lemoine
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sophie Monsarrat
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Rewilding Europe, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elena A Pearce
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mikkel H Schierup
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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6
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Dussex N, Tørresen OK, van der Valk T, Le Moullec M, Veiberg V, Tooming-Klunderud A, Skage M, Garmann-Aarhus B, Wood J, Rasmussen JA, Pedersen ÅØ, Martin SL, Røed KH, Jakobsen KS, Dalén L, Hansen BB, Martin MD. Adaptation to the High-Arctic island environment despite long-term reduced genetic variation in Svalbard reindeer. iScience 2023; 26:107811. [PMID: 37744038 PMCID: PMC10514459 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Typically much smaller in number than their mainland counterparts, island populations are ideal systems to investigate genetic threats to small populations. The Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) is an endemic subspecies that colonized the Svalbard archipelago ca. 6,000-8,000 years ago and now shows numerous physiological and morphological adaptations to its arctic habitat. Here, we report a de-novo chromosome-level assembly for Svalbard reindeer and analyze 133 reindeer genomes spanning Svalbard and most of the species' Holarctic range, to examine the genomic consequences of long-term isolation and small population size in this insular subspecies. Empirical data, demographic reconstructions, and forward simulations show that long-term isolation and high inbreeding levels may have facilitated the reduction of highly deleterious-and to a lesser extent, moderately deleterious-variation. Our study indicates that long-term reduced genetic diversity did not preclude local adaptation to the High Arctic, suggesting that even severely bottlenecked populations can retain evolutionary potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dussex
- Department of Natural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gate 47A, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ole K. Tørresen
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom van der Valk
- Centre for PalaeoGenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, SE 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathilde Le Moullec
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vebjørn Veiberg
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), NO 7034 Trondheim, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ave Tooming-Klunderud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten Skage
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Benedicte Garmann-Aarhus
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, NO 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jonathan Wood
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA Cambridge, UK
| | - Jacob A. Rasmussen
- Department of Natural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gate 47A, Trondheim, Norway
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Sarah L.F. Martin
- Department of Natural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gate 47A, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Knut H. Røed
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Kjetill S. Jakobsen
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for PalaeoGenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, SE 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brage B. Hansen
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), NO 7034 Trondheim, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Michael D. Martin
- Department of Natural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gate 47A, Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO 7491 Trondheim, Norway
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7
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Lehnert SJ, Bradbury IR, Wringe BF, Van Wyngaarden M, Bentzen P. Multifaceted framework for defining conservation units: An example from Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar) in Canada. Evol Appl 2023; 16:1568-1585. [PMID: 37752960 PMCID: PMC10519414 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Conservation units represent important components of intraspecific diversity that can aid in prioritizing and protecting at-risk populations, while also safeguarding unique diversity that can contribute to species resilience. In Canada, identification and assessments of conservation units is done by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). COSEWIC can recognize conservation units below the species level (termed "designatable units"; DUs) if the unit has attributes that make it both discrete and evolutionarily significant. There are various ways in which a DU can meet criteria of discreteness and significance, and increasing access to "big data" is providing unprecedented information that can directly inform both criteria. Specifically, the incorporation of genomic data for an increasing number of non-model species is informing more COSEWIC assessments; thus, a repeatable, robust framework is needed for integrating these data into DU characterization. Here, we develop a framework that uses a multifaceted, weight of evidence approach to incorporate multiple data types, including genetic and genomic data, to inform COSEWIC DUs. We apply this framework to delineate DUs of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.), an economically, culturally, and ecologically significant species, that is also characterized by complex hierarchical population structure. Specifically, we focus on an in-depth example of how our approach was applied to a previously data limited region of northern Canada that was defined by a single large DU. Application of our framework with newly available genetic and genomic data led to subdividing this DU into three new DUs. Although our approach was developed to meet criteria of COSEWIC, it is widely applicable given similarities in the definitions of a conservation unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Lehnert
- Northwest Atlantic Fisheries CentreFisheries and Oceans CanadaSt. John'sNewfoundland and LabradorCanada
| | - Ian R. Bradbury
- Northwest Atlantic Fisheries CentreFisheries and Oceans CanadaSt. John'sNewfoundland and LabradorCanada
| | - Brendan F. Wringe
- Bedford Institute of OceanographyFisheries and Oceans CanadaDartmouthNova ScotiaCanada
| | | | - Paul Bentzen
- Biology DepartmentDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
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8
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Cavedon M, Neufeld L, Finnegan L, Hervieux D, Michalak A, Pelletier A, Polfus J, Schwantje H, Skinner G, Steenweg R, Thacker C, Poissant J, Musiani M. Genomics of founders for conservation breeding: the Jasper caribou case. CONSERV GENET 2023; 24:855-867. [PMID: 37969360 PMCID: PMC10638200 DOI: 10.1007/s10592-023-01540-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Conservation breeding programs are increasingly used as recovery actions for wild animals; bringing founders into captivity to rear captive populations for future reintroduction into the wild. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature recommends that founders should come from genetically close populations and should have sufficient genetic diversity to avoid mating among relatives. Genomic data are highly informative for evaluating founders due to their high resolution and ability to capture adaptive divergence, yet, their application in that context remains limited. Woodland caribou are federally listed as a Species at Risk in Canada, with several populations facing extirpation, such as those in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and British Columbia (BC). To prevent local extirpation, Jasper National Park (JNP) is proposing a conservation breeding program. We examined single nucleotide polymorphisms for 144 caribou from 11 populations encompassing a 200,0002 km area surrounding JNP to provide information useful for identifying appropriate founders for this program. We found that this area likely hosts a caribou metapopulation historically characterized by high levels of gene flow, which indicates that multiple sources of founders would be appropriate for initiating a breeding program. However, population structure and adaptive divergence analyses indicate that JNP caribou are closest to populations in the BC Columbia range, which also have suitable genetic diversity for conservation breeding. We suggest that collaboration among jurisdictions would be beneficial to implement the program to promote recovery of JNP caribou and possibly other caribou populations in the surrounding area, which is strategically at the periphery of the distribution of this endangered species. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10592-023-01540-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cavedon
- Deparment of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Lalenia Neufeld
- Jasper National Park of Canada, Parks Canada, Jasper, Canada
| | - Laura Finnegan
- fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB T7V 1V3 Canada
| | - Dave Hervieux
- Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6J4 Canada
| | - Anita Michalak
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Agnes Pelletier
- Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship Northeast Region, 400-10003-110Th Avenue, Fort St. John, BC V1J 6M7 Canada
| | - Jean Polfus
- Canadian Wildlife Service – Pacific Region, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 1238 Discovery Ave, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V9 Canada
| | - Helen Schwantje
- Wildlife and Habitat Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Government of British Columbia, 2080 Labieux Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J 9 Canada
| | - Geoff Skinner
- Jasper National Park of Canada, Parks Canada, Jasper, Canada
| | - Robin Steenweg
- Canadian Wildlife Service – Pacific Region, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 1238 Discovery Ave, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V9 Canada
| | - Caeley Thacker
- Wildlife and Habitat Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Government of British Columbia, 2080 Labieux Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J 9 Canada
| | - Jocelyn Poissant
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Marco Musiani
- Dipartimento Scienze Biologiche Geologiche Ambientali, Università Di Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33 - 40126 Bologna, Italia
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9
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Solmundson K, Bowman J, Manseau M, Taylor RS, Keobouasone S, Wilson PJ. Genomic population structure and inbreeding history of Lake Superior caribou. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10278. [PMID: 37424935 PMCID: PMC10326607 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) have experienced dramatic declines in both range and population size across Canada over the past century. Boreal caribou (R. t. caribou), 1 of the 12 Designatable Units, has lost approximately half of its historic range in the last 150 years, particularly along the southern edge of its distribution. Despite this overall northward contraction, some populations have persisted at the trailing range edge, over 150 km south of the continuous boreal caribou range in Ontario, along the coast and nearshore islands of Lake Superior. The population history of caribou along Lake Superior remains unclear. It appears that these caribou likely represent a remnant distribution at the trailing edge of the receding population of boreal caribou, but they may also exhibit local adaptation to the coastal environment. A better understanding of the population structure and history of caribou along Lake Superior is important for their conservation and management. Here, we use high-coverage whole genomes (N = 20) from boreal, eastern migratory, and barren-ground caribou sampled in Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec to investigate population structure and inbreeding histories. We discovered that caribou from the Lake Superior range form a distinct group but also found some evidence of gene flow with the continuous boreal caribou range. Notably, caribou along Lake Superior demonstrated relatively high levels of inbreeding (measured as runs of homozygosity; ROH) and genetic drift, which may contribute to the differentiation observed between ranges. Despite inbreeding, caribou along Lake Superior retained high heterozygosity, particularly in genomic regions without ROH. These results suggest that they present distinct genomic characteristics but also some level of gene flow with the continuous range. Our study provides key insights into the genomics of the southernmost range of caribou in Ontario, beginning to unravel the evolutionary history of these small, isolated caribou populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Solmundson
- Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
| | - Jeff Bowman
- Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestryTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
| | - Micheline Manseau
- Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
- Landscape Science and Technology DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Rebecca S. Taylor
- Landscape Science and Technology DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Sonesinh Keobouasone
- Landscape Science and Technology DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Paul J. Wilson
- Biology DepartmentTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
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10
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Population structure of threatened caribou in western Canada inferred from genome-wide SNP data. CONSERV GENET 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01475-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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11
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Hemstrom W, Dauwalter D, Peacock MM, Leasure D, Wenger S, Miller MR, Neville H. Population genomic monitoring provides insight into conservation status but no correlation with demographic estimates of extinction risk in a threatened trout. Evol Appl 2022; 15:1449-1468. [PMID: 36187186 PMCID: PMC9488680 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The current extinction crisis requires effective assessment and monitoring tools. Genetic approaches are appealing given the relative ease of field sampling required to estimate genetic diversity characteristics assumed related to population size, evolutionary potential, and extinction risk, and to evaluate hybridization with non-native species simultaneously. However, linkages between population genetic metrics of diversity from survey-style field collections and demographic estimates of population size and extinction risk are still in need of empirical examples, especially for remotely distributed species of conservation concern where the approach might be most beneficial. We capitalized on an exceptional opportunity to evaluate congruence between genetic diversity metrics and demographic-based estimates of abundance and extinction risk from a comprehensive Multiple Population Viability Analysis (MPVA) in a threatened fish, the Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT). We sequenced non-native trout reference samples and recently collected and archived tissue samples of most remaining populations of LCT (N = 60) and estimated common genetic assessment metrics, predicting minimal hybridization with non-native trout, low diversity, and declining diversity over time. We further hypothesized genetic metrics would correlate positively with MPVA-estimated abundance and negatively with extinction probability. We uncovered several instances of hybridization that pointed to immediate management needs. After removing hybridized individuals, cautious interpretation of low effective population sizes (2-63) suggested reduced evolutionary potential for many LCT populations. Other genetic metrics did not decline over time nor correlate with MPVA-based estimates of harmonic mean abundance or 30-year extinction probability. Our results demonstrate benefits of genetic monitoring for efficiently detecting hybridization and, though genetic results were disconnected from demographic assessment of conservation status, they suggest reduced evolutionary potential and likely a higher conservation risk than currently recognized for this threatened fish. We emphasize that genetic information provides essential complementary insight, in addition to demographic information, for evaluating species status.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Hemstrom
- Department of Animal ScienceUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | - Douglas Leasure
- WorldPop, Geography and Environmental ScienceUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Seth Wenger
- Odum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Michael R. Miller
- Department of Animal ScienceUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
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12
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Brown JI, Hernández F, Engilis A, Hernández-Baños BE, Collins D, Lavretsky P. Genomic and morphological data shed light on the complexities of shared ancestry between closely related duck species. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10212. [PMID: 35715515 PMCID: PMC9205961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14270-2] [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: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Causes for genomic and morphological similarities among recently radiated species are often multifaceted and are further convoluted among species that readily interbreed. Here, we couple genomic and morphological trait comparisons to test the extent that ancestry and gene flow explain the retention of mallard-like traits within a sister species, the Mexican duck. First, we confirm that these taxa remain genetically structured, and that Mexican ducks exhibit an isolation-by-distance pattern. Despite the assumption of wide-spread hybridization, we found only a few late-stage hybrids, all from the southwestern USA. Next, assessing 23 morphological traits, we developed a genetically-vetted morphological key that is > 97% accurate in distinguishing across sex-age cohorts of Mexican ducks, mallards, and hybrids. During key development, we determined that 25% of genetically pure, immature male Mexican ducks of the northern population naturally displayed mallard-like traits in their formative plumage. In fact, applying this key to 55 museum specimens, we identified that only four of the 14 specimens originally classified as phenotypic hybrids were truly hybrids. We discuss how genomic and morphological comparisons shed light into the mechanism(s) underlying the evolution of complex phenotypic traits in recent radiations, and how misunderstanding the true morphological diversity within Mexican ducks resulted in taxonomic revisions that hindered conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua I Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA.
| | - Flor Hernández
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Andrew Engilis
- Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Blanca E Hernández-Baños
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico
| | - Dan Collins
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Region 2 Migratory Bird Program, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Philip Lavretsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
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13
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Strong population genetic structure and cryptic diversity in the Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus). CONSERV GENET 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01432-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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14
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Cavedon M, vonHoldt B, Hebblewhite M, Hegel T, Heppenheimer E, Hervieux D, Mariani S, Schwantje H, Steenweg R, Theoret J, Watters M, Musiani M. Genomic legacy of migration in endangered caribou. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009974. [PMID: 35143486 PMCID: PMC8830729 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Wide-ranging animals, including migratory species, are significantly threatened by the effects of habitat fragmentation and habitat loss. In the case of terrestrial mammals, this results in nearly a quarter of species being at risk of extinction. Caribou are one such example of a wide-ranging, migratory, terrestrial, and endangered mammal. In populations of caribou, the proportion of individuals considered as "migrants" can vary dramatically. There is therefore a possibility that, under the condition that migratory behavior is genetically determined, those individuals or populations that are migratory will be further impacted by humans, and this impact could result in the permanent loss of the migratory trait in some populations. However, genetic determination of migration has not previously been studied in an endangered terrestrial mammal. We examined migratory behavior of 139 GPS-collared endangered caribou in western North America and carried out genomic scans for the same individuals. Here we determine a genetic subdivision of caribou into a Northern and a Southern genetic cluster. We also detect >50 SNPs associated with migratory behavior, which are in genes with hypothesized roles in determining migration in other organisms. Furthermore, we determine that propensity to migrate depends upon the proportion of ancestry in individual caribou, and thus on the evolutionary history of its migratory and sedentary subspecies. If, as we report, migratory behavior is influenced by genes, caribou could be further impacted by the loss of the migratory trait in some isolated populations already at low numbers. Our results indicating an ancestral genetic component also suggest that the migratory trait and their associated genetic mutations could not be easily re-established when lost in a population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cavedon
- Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bridgett vonHoldt
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Troy Hegel
- Yukon Department of Environment, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Heppenheimer
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Dave Hervieux
- Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch, Alberta Environment and Parks, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stefano Mariani
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Schwantje
- Wildlife and Habitat Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Government of British Columbia, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robin Steenweg
- Pacific Region, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jessica Theoret
- Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Megan Watters
- Land and Resource Specialist, Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marco Musiani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Veterinary Medicine (Joint Appointment), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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15
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Stronen AV, Norman AJ, Vander Wal E, Paquet PC. The relevance of genetic structure in ecotype designation and conservation management. Evol Appl 2022; 15:185-202. [PMID: 35233242 PMCID: PMC8867706 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of ecotypes is complex, partly because of its interdisciplinary nature, but the idea is intrinsically valuable for evolutionary biology and applied conservation. The complex nature of ecotypes has spurred some confusion and inconsistencies in the literature, thereby limiting broader theoretical development and practical application. We provide suggestions for how incorporating genetic analyses can ease confusion and help define ecotypes. We approach this by systematically reviewing 112 publications across taxa that simultaneously mention the terms ecotype, conservation and management, to examine the current use of the term in the context of conservation and management. We found that most ecotype studies involve fish, mammals and plants with a focus on habitat use, which at 60% was the most common criterion used for categorization of ecotypes. Only 53% of the studies incorporated genetic analyses, and major discrepancies in available genomic resources among taxa could have contributed to confusion about the role of genetic structure in delineating ecotypes. Our results show that the rapid advances in genetic methods, also for nonmodel organisms, can help clarify the spatiotemporal distribution of adaptive and neutral genetic variation and their relevance to ecotype designations. Genetic analyses can offer empirical support for the ecotype concept and provide a timely measure of evolutionary potential, especially in changing environmental conditions. Genetic variation that is often difficult to detect, including polygenic traits influenced by small contributions from several genes, can be vital for adaptation to rapidly changing environments. Emerging ecotypes may signal speciation in progress, and findings from genome-enabled organisms can help clarify important selective factors driving ecotype development and persistence, and thereby improve preservation of interspecific genetic diversity. Incorporation of genetic analyses in ecotype studies will help connect evolutionary biology and applied conservation, including that of problematic groups such as natural hybrid organisms and urban or anthropogenic ecotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid V. Stronen
- Department of BiologyBiotechnical FacultyUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
- Department of Biotechnology and Life SciencesInsubria UniversityVareseItaly
- Department of Chemistry and BioscienceAalborg UniversityAalborgDenmark
| | - Anita J. Norman
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John’sNLCanada
| | - Paul C. Paquet
- Department of GeographyUniversity of VictoriaVictoriaBCCanada
- Raincoast Conservation FoundationSidneyBCCanada
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16
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Baiakhmetov E, Ryzhakova D, Gudkova PD, Nobis M. Evidence for extensive hybridisation and past introgression events in feather grasses using genome-wide SNP genotyping. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 21:505. [PMID: 34724894 PMCID: PMC8559405 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-03287-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The proper identification of feather grasses in nature is often limited due to phenotypic variability and high morphological similarity between many species. Among plausible factors influencing this issue are hybridisation and introgression recently detected in the genus. Nonetheless, to date, only a bounded set of taxa have been investigated using integrative taxonomy combining morphological and molecular data. Here, we report the first large-scale study on five feather grass species across several hybrid zones in Russia and Central Asia. In total, 302 specimens were sampled in the field and classified based on the current descriptions of these taxa. They were then genotyped with high density genome-wide markers and measured based on a set of morphological characters to delimitate species and assess levels of hybridisation and introgression. Moreover, we tested species for past introgression and estimated divergence times between them. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated that 250 specimens represent five distinct species: S. baicalensis, S. capillata, S. glareosa, S. grandis and S. krylovii. The remaining 52 individuals provided evidence for extensive hybridisation between S. capillata and S. baicalensis, S. capillata and S. krylovii, S. baicalensis and S. krylovii, as well as to a lesser extent between S. grandis and S. krylovii, S. grandis and S. baicalensis. We detected past reticulation events between S. baicalensis, S. krylovii, S. grandis and inferred that diversification within species S. capillata, S. baicalensis, S. krylovii and S. grandis started ca. 130-96 kya. In addition, the assessment of genetic population structure revealed signs of contemporary gene flow between populations across species from the section Leiostipa, despite significant geographical distances between some of them. Lastly, we concluded that only 5 out of 52 hybrid taxa were properly identified solely based on morphology. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis that hybridisation is an important mechanism driving evolution in Stipa. As an outcome, this phenomenon complicates identification of hybrid taxa in the field using morphological characters alone. Thus, integrative taxonomy seems to be the only reliable way to properly resolve the phylogenetic issue of Stipa. Moreover, we believe that feather grasses may be a suitable genus to study hybridisation and introgression events in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii Baiakhmetov
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
- Research laboratory 'Herbarium', National Research Tomsk State University, Lenin 36 Ave., 634050, Tomsk, Russia.
| | - Daria Ryzhakova
- Research laboratory 'Herbarium', National Research Tomsk State University, Lenin 36 Ave., 634050, Tomsk, Russia
- Department of Biology, Altai State University, Lenin 61 Ave., 656049, Barnaul, Russia
| | - Polina D Gudkova
- Research laboratory 'Herbarium', National Research Tomsk State University, Lenin 36 Ave., 634050, Tomsk, Russia
- Department of Biology, Altai State University, Lenin 61 Ave., 656049, Barnaul, Russia
| | - Marcin Nobis
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
- Research laboratory 'Herbarium', National Research Tomsk State University, Lenin 36 Ave., 634050, Tomsk, Russia.
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17
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Chafin TK, Regmi B, Douglas MR, Edds DR, Wangchuk K, Dorji S, Norbu P, Norbu S, Changlu C, Khanal GP, Tshering S, Douglas ME. Parallel introgression, not recurrent emergence, explains apparent elevational ecotypes of polyploid Himalayan snowtrout. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210727. [PMID: 34729207 PMCID: PMC8548808 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The recurrence of similar evolutionary patterns within different habitats often reflects parallel selective pressures acting upon either standing or independently occurring genetic variation to produce a convergence of phenotypes. This interpretation (i.e. parallel divergences within adjacent streams) has been hypothesized for drainage-specific morphological 'ecotypes' observed in polyploid snowtrout (Cyprinidae: Schizothorax). However, parallel patterns of differential introgression during secondary contact are a viable alternative hypothesis. Here, we used ddRADseq (N = 35 319 de novo and N = 10 884 transcriptome-aligned SNPs), as derived from Nepali/Bhutanese samples (N = 48 each), to test these competing hypotheses. We first employed genome-wide allelic depths to derive appropriate ploidy models, then a Bayesian approach to yield genotypes statistically consistent under the inferred expectations. Elevational 'ecotypes' were consistent in geometric morphometric space, but with phylogenetic relationships at the drainage level, sustaining a hypothesis of independent emergence. However, partitioned analyses of phylogeny and admixture identified subsets of loci under selection that retained genealogical concordance with morphology, suggesting instead that apparent patterns of morphological/phylogenetic discordance are driven by widespread genomic homogenization. Here, admixture occurring in secondary contact effectively 'masks' previous isolation. Our results underscore two salient factors: (i) morphological adaptations are retained despite hybridization and (ii) the degree of admixture varies across tributaries, presumably concomitant with underlying environmental or anthropogenic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler K. Chafin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, USA
| | - Binod Regmi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
- National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Marlis R. Douglas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - David R. Edds
- Department of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801, USA
| | - Karma Wangchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
- National Research and Development Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, Haa, Bhutan
| | - Sonam Dorji
- National Research and Development Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, Haa, Bhutan
| | - Pema Norbu
- National Research and Development Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, Haa, Bhutan
| | - Sangay Norbu
- National Research and Development Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, Haa, Bhutan
| | - Changlu Changlu
- National Research and Development Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, Haa, Bhutan
| | - Gopal Prasad Khanal
- National Research and Development Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, Haa, Bhutan
| | - Singye Tshering
- National Research and Development Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, Haa, Bhutan
| | - Michael E. Douglas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
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18
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Whole genome sequences from non-invasively collected caribou faecal samples. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-021-01235-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractConservation genomics is an important tool to manage threatened species under current biodiversity loss. Recent advances in sequencing technology mean that we can now use whole genomes to investigate demographic history, local adaptation, inbreeding, and more in unprecedented detail. However, for many rare and elusive species only non-invasive samples such as faeces can be obtained, making it difficult to take advantage of whole genome data. We present a method to extract DNA from the mucosal layer of faecal samples to re-sequence high coverage whole genomes using standard laboratory techniques. We use wild collected faecal pellets collected from caribou (Rangifer tarandus), a species undergoing declines in many parts of its range in Canada and subject to comprehensive conservation and population monitoring measures. We compare four faecal genomes to two tissue genomes sequenced in the same run. Quality metrics were similar between faecal and tissue samples with the main difference being the alignment success of raw reads to the reference genome due to differences in low quality and endogenous DNA content, affecting overall coverage. One of our faecal genomes was only re-sequenced at low coverage (1.6 ×), however the other three obtained between 7 and 15 ×, compared to 19 and 25 × for the tissue samples. We successfully re-sequenced high-quality whole genomes from faecal DNA and are one of the first to obtain genome-wide data from wildlife faecal DNA in a non-primate species. Our work represents an important advancement for non-invasive conservation genomics.
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19
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Taylor RS, Manseau M, Klütsch CFC, Polfus JL, Steedman A, Hervieux D, Kelly A, Larter NC, Gamberg M, Schwantje H, Wilson PJ. Population dynamics of caribou shaped by glacial cycles before the last glacial maximum. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6121-6143. [PMID: 34482596 PMCID: PMC9293238 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Pleistocene glacial cycles influenced the diversification of high‐latitude wildlife species through recurrent periods of range contraction, isolation, divergence, and expansion from refugia and subsequent admixture of refugial populations. We investigate population size changes and the introgressive history of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in western Canada using 33 whole genome sequences coupled with larger‐scale mitochondrial data. We found that a major population expansion of caribou occurred starting around 110,000 years ago (kya), the start of the last glacial period. Additionally, we found effective population sizes of some caribou reaching ~700,000 to 1,000,000 individuals, one of the highest recorded historical effective population sizes for any mammal species thus far. Mitochondrial analyses dated introgression events prior to the LGM dating to 20–30 kya and even more ancient at 60 kya, coinciding with colder periods with extensive ice coverage, further demonstrating the importance of glacial cycles and events prior to the LGM in shaping demographic history. Reconstructing the origins and differential introgressive history has implications for predictions on species responses under climate change. Our results have implications for other whole genome analyses using pairwise sequentially Markovian coalescent (PSMC) analyses, as well as highlighting the need to investigate pre‐LGM demographic patterns to fully reconstruct the origin of species diversity, especially for high‐latitude species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S Taylor
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Micheline Manseau
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.,Landscape Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jean L Polfus
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Audrey Steedman
- Parks Canada, Government of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Dave Hervieux
- Department of Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
| | - Allicia Kelly
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada
| | - Nicholas C Larter
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada
| | | | - Helen Schwantje
- BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul J Wilson
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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Klann M, Mercader M, Carlu L, Hayashi K, Reimer JD, Laudet V. Variation on a theme: pigmentation variants and mutants of anemonefish. EvoDevo 2021; 12:8. [PMID: 34147131 PMCID: PMC8214269 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-021-00178-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigmentation patterning systems are of great interest to understand how changes in developmental mechanisms can lead to a wide variety of patterns. These patterns are often conspicuous, but their origins remain elusive for many marine fish species. Dismantling a biological system allows a better understanding of the required components and the deciphering of how such complex systems are established and function. Valuable information can be obtained from detailed analyses and comparisons of pigmentation patterns of mutants and/or variants from normal patterns. Anemonefishes have been popular marine fish in aquaculture for many years, which has led to the isolation of several mutant lines, and in particular color alterations, that have become very popular in the pet trade. Additionally, scattered information about naturally occurring aberrant anemonefish is available on various websites and image platforms. In this review, the available information on anemonefish color pattern alterations has been gathered and compiled in order to characterize and compare different mutations. With the global picture of anemonefish mutants and variants emerging from this, such as presence or absence of certain phenotypes, information on the patterning system itself can be gained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen Klann
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Manon Mercader
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Lilian Carlu
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Kina Hayashi
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology Lab, Graduate School of the Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology Lab, Graduate School of the Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology (ICOB), Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dah-Uen Rd, Jiau Shi, I-Lan 262, I-Lan, Taiwan.
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Vaux F, Bohn S, Hyde JR, O'Malley KG. Adaptive markers distinguish North and South Pacific Albacore amid low population differentiation. Evol Appl 2021; 14:1343-1364. [PMID: 34025772 PMCID: PMC8127716 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) support an economically valuable global fishery, but surprisingly little is known about the population structure of this highly migratory species. Physical tagging data suggest that Albacore from the North and South Pacific Ocean are separate stocks, but results from previous genetic studies did not support this two stock hypothesis. In addition, observed biological differences among juveniles suggest that there may be population substructure in the North Pacific. We used double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing to assess population structure among 308 Albacore caught in 12 sample areas across the Pacific Ocean (10 North, 2 South). Since Albacore are highly migratory and spawning areas are unknown, sample groups were not assumed to be equivalent to populations and the genetic data were analyzed iteratively. We tested for putatively adaptive differences among groups and for genetic variation associated with sex. Results indicated that Albacore in the North and South Pacific can be distinguished using 84 putatively adaptive loci, but not using the remaining 12,788 presumed neutral sites. However, two individuals likely represent F1 hybrids between the North and South Pacific populations, and 43 Albacore potentially exhibit lower degrees of mixed ancestry. In addition, four or five cross-hemisphere migrants were potentially identified. No genetic evidence was found for population substructure within the North Pacific, and no loci appeared to distinguish males from females. Potential functions for the putatively adaptive loci were identified, but an annotated Albacore genome is required for further exploration. Future research should try to locate spawning areas so that life history, demography, and genetic population structure can be linked and spatiotemporal patterns can be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Vaux
- State Fisheries Genomics LabCoastal Oregon Marine Experiment StationDepartment of Fisheries and WildlifeHatfield Marine Science CenterOregon State UniversityNewportORUSA
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Sandra Bohn
- State Fisheries Genomics LabCoastal Oregon Marine Experiment StationDepartment of Fisheries and WildlifeHatfield Marine Science CenterOregon State UniversityNewportORUSA
| | - John R. Hyde
- Southwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Marine Fisheries ServiceLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Kathleen G. O'Malley
- State Fisheries Genomics LabCoastal Oregon Marine Experiment StationDepartment of Fisheries and WildlifeHatfield Marine Science CenterOregon State UniversityNewportORUSA
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Taylor RS, Manseau M, Horn RL, Keobouasone S, Golding GB, Wilson PJ. The role of introgression and ecotypic parallelism in delineating intraspecific conservation units. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:2793-2809. [PMID: 32567754 PMCID: PMC7496186 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Parallel evolution can occur through selection on novel mutations, standing genetic variation or adaptive introgression. Uncovering parallelism and introgressed populations can complicate management of threatened species as parallelism may have influenced conservation unit designations and admixed populations are not generally considered under legislations. We examined high coverage whole-genome sequences of 30 caribou (Rangifer tarandus) from across North America and Greenland, representing divergent intraspecific lineages, to investigate parallelism and levels of introgression contributing to the formation of ecotypes. Caribou are split into four subspecies and 11 extant conservation units, known as designatable units (DUs), in Canada. Using genomes from all four subspecies and six DUs, we undertake demographic reconstruction and confirm two previously inferred instances of parallel evolution in the woodland subspecies and uncover an additional instance of parallelism of the eastern migratory ecotype. Detailed investigations reveal introgression in the woodland subspecies, with introgressed regions found spread throughout the genomes encompassing both neutral and functional sites. Our investigations using whole genomes highlight the difficulties in unequivocally demonstrating parallelism through adaptive introgression in nonmodel species with complex demographic histories, with standing variation and introgression both potentially involved. Additionally, the impact of parallelism and introgression on conservation policy for management units needs to be considered in general, and the caribou designations will need amending in light of our results. Uncovering and decoupling parallelism and differential patterns of introgression will become prevalent with the availability of comprehensive genomic data from nonmodel species, and we highlight the need to incorporate this into conservation unit designations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Micheline Manseau
- Biology DepartmentTrent UniversityPeterboroughONCanada
- Landscape Science and Technology DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaOttawaONCanada
| | - Rebekah L. Horn
- Biology DepartmentTrent UniversityPeterboroughONCanada
- Columbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish CommissionHagermanIDUSA
| | - Sonesinh Keobouasone
- Landscape Science and Technology DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaOttawaONCanada
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