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Martin AM, Johnson JA, Berry RB, Carling M, Martínez Del Rio C. Contrasting Genomic Diversity and Inbreeding Levels Among Two Closely Related Falcon Species With Overlapping Geographic Distributions. Mol Ecol 2025; 34:e17549. [PMID: 39400432 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17549] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 09/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024]
Abstract
Genomic resources are valuable to examine historical demographic patterns and their effects to better inform management and conservation of threatened species. We evaluated population trends and genome-wide variation in the near-threatened Orange-breasted Falcon (Falco deiroleucus) and its more common sister species, the Bat Falcon (F. rufigularis), to explore how the two species differ in genomic diversity as influenced by their contrasting long-term demographic histories. We generated and aligned whole genome resequencing data for 12 Orange-breasted Falcons and 9 Bat Falcons to an annotated Gyrfalcon (F. rusticolus) reference genome that retained approximately 22.4 million biallelic autosomal SNPs (chromosomes 1-22). Our analyses indicated much lower genomic diversity in Orange-breasted Falcons compared to Bat Falcons. All sampled Orange-breasted Falcons were significantly more inbred than the sampled Bat Falcons, with values similar to those observed in island-mainland species comparisons. The distribution of runs of homozygosity showed variation suggesting long-term low population size and the possibility of bottlenecks in Orange-breasted Falcons contrasting with consistently larger populations in Bat Falcons. Analysis of genetic load suggests that Orange-breasted Falcons are less likely to experience inbreeding depression than Bat Falcons due to reduced inbreeding load but are at elevated risk from fixation of deleterious gene variants and perhaps a reduced adaptive potential. These genomic analyses highlight differences in the historical demography of two closely related species that have influenced their current genomic diversity and should result in differing strategies for their continued conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey M Martin
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
| | | | | | - Matthew Carling
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
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2
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Stoll VS, Röder N, Gerstle V, Manfrin A, Schwenk K. Effects of Bti on the diversity and community composition of three Chironomidae subfamilies across different micro-habitats. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2025; 366:125490. [PMID: 39653262 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 10/07/2024] [Accepted: 12/06/2024] [Indexed: 12/16/2024]
Abstract
The mosquito control agent Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) is considered environmentally friendly due to its highly specific mode of action. Nevertheless, adverse effects of Bti have been observed in non-biting midges of the family Chironomidae. In this study, we applied the maximum field rate of Bti three times from April to May to six out of twelve floodplain pond mesocosms. Chironomidae larvae were sampled two weeks after the third application in three different micro-habitats and DNA metabarcoding was used to identify the larvae. We observed Bti effects on the Chironomidae subfamily Chironominae, while Tanypodinae and Orthocladiinae remained unaffected. The interspecific diversity of Chironominae was significantly reduced by 27% in the Bti treatment. Although the interaction between treatment and habitat was not significant, a notable decrease in interspecific diversity of Chironominae between the control and Bti treatment in two out of three micro-habitats was detected (47% and 41%, respectively). We observed a significant habitat-dependent change in intraspecific diversity of Chironominae, with a 28% decline in one habitat and a 21% increase in another. The Chironominae community composition differed between the control and Bti treatment in two out of three habitats. These outcomes highlight the variability of Bti's impact on Chironomidae communities across subfamilies and micro-habitats, potentially elucidating discrepancies reported in prior studies and emphasising the necessity for comprehensive risk assessments that encompass diversity at various taxonomic levels and environmental variation at different spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Sophie Stoll
- iES - Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstraße 7, D-76829, Landau, Germany.
| | - Nina Röder
- iES - Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstraße 7, D-76829, Landau, Germany
| | - Verena Gerstle
- iES - Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstraße 7, D-76829, Landau, Germany; Eußerthal Ecosystem Research Station, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Birkenthalstraße 13, D-76857, Eußerthal, Germany
| | - Alessandro Manfrin
- iES - Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstraße 7, D-76829, Landau, Germany
| | - Klaus Schwenk
- iES - Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstraße 7, D-76829, Landau, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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3
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Pereira H, Chakarov N, Caspers BA, Gilles M, Jones W, Mijoro T, Zefania S, Székely T, Krüger O, Hoffman JI. The gut microbiota of three avian species living in sympatry. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:144. [PMID: 39574002 PMCID: PMC11580620 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02329-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 11/06/2024] [Indexed: 11/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evolutionary divergence and genetic variation are often linked to differences in microbial community structure and diversity. While environmental factors and diet heavily influence gut microbial communities, host species contributions are harder to quantify. Closely related species living in sympatry provide a unique opportunity to investigate species differences without the confounding effects of habitat and dietary variation. We therefore compared and contrasted the gut microbiota of three sympatric plover species: the widespread Kittlitz's and white-fronted plovers (Anarhynchus pecuarius and A. marginatus) and the endemic and vulnerable Madagascar plover (A. thoracicus). RESULTS We found no significant differences in the beta diversity (composition) of the gut microbiota of the three species. However, A. thoracicus exhibited higher intraspecific compositional similarity (i.e. lower pairwise distances) than the other two species; this pattern was especially pronounced among juveniles. By contrast, microbial alpha diversity varied significantly among the species, being highest in A. pecuarius, intermediate in A. marginatus and lowest in A. thoracicus. This pattern was again stronger among juveniles. Geographical distance did not significantly affect the composition of the gut microbiota, but genetic relatedness did. CONCLUSION While patterns of microbial diversity varied across species, the lack of compositional differences suggests that habitat and diet likely exert a strong influence on the gut microbiota of plovers. This may be enhanced by their precocial, ground-dwelling nature, which could facilitate the horizontal transmission of microbes from the environment. We hypothesise that gut microbiota diversity in plovers primarily reflects the ecological pool of microbiota, which is subsequently modified by host-specific factors including genetics. The reduced microbial and genetic diversity of the endemic A. thoracicus may hinder its ability to adapt to environmental changes, highlighting the need for increased conservation efforts for this vulnerable species.
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Grants
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 316099922 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- 396780709 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,
- Universität Bielefeld (3146)
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Pereira
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany.
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
| | - Barbara A Caspers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
| | - Marc Gilles
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
| | - William Jones
- Institut Supérieur de Technologie de Menabe, Université of Toliara & Morondava, Toliara, 601, Madagascar
| | - Tafitasoa Mijoro
- HUN-REN-Debrecen University Reproductive Strategies Research Group, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Sama Zefania
- HUN-REN-Debrecen University Reproductive Strategies Research Group, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Tamás Székely
- Institut Supérieur de Technologie de Menabe, Université of Toliara & Morondava, Toliara, 601, Madagascar
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
| | - Joseph I Hoffman
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OET, UK
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
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Banjoko AW, Ng’uni T, Naidoo N, Ramsuran V, Hyrien O, Ndhlovu ZM. High Resolution Class I HLA -A, -B, and - C Diversity in Eastern and Southern African Populations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.04.611164. [PMID: 39282263 PMCID: PMC11398358 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.04.611164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
Africa remains significantly underrepresented in high-resolution Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) data, despite being one of the most genetically diverse regions in the world. This critical gap in genetic information poses a substantial barrier to HLA-based research on the continent. In this study, Class I HLA data from Eastern and Southern African populations were analysed to assess genetic diversity across the region. We examined allele and haplotype frequency distributions, deviations from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE), linkage disequilibrium (LD), and conducted neutrality tests of homozygosity across various populations. Additionally, the African HLA data were compared to those of Caucasian and African American populations using the Jaccard index and multidimensional scaling (MDS) methods. The study revealed that South African populations exhibited 50.4% more genetic diversity within the Class I HLA region compared to other African populations. Zambia showed an estimated 36.5% genetic diversity, with Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda showing 35.7%, 34.2%, and 31.1%, respectively. Furthermore, an analysis of in-country diversity among different tribes indicated an average Class I HLA diversity of 25.7% in Kenya, 17% in Rwanda, 2.8% in South Africa, 13.6% in Uganda, and 6.5% in Zambia. The study also highlighted the genetic distinctness of Caucasian and African American populations compared to African populations. Notably, the differential frequencies of disease-promoting and disease-preventing HLA alleles across these populations emphasize the urgent need to generate high-quality HLA data for all regions of Africa and its major ethnic groups. Such efforts will be crucial in enhancing healthcare outcomes across the continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alabi W. Banjoko
- Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Statistics, University of Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria
| | - Tiza Ng’uni
- Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nitalia Naidoo
- Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Durban, South Africa
| | - Veron Ramsuran
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Olivier Hyrien
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Vaccine and Immunology Statistical Centre, Seattle, USA
| | - Zaza M. Ndhlovu
- Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Durban, South Africa
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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5
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Quinn CB, Preckler-Quisquater S, Buchalski MR, Sacks BN. Whole Genomes Inform Genetic Rescue Strategy for Montane Red Foxes in North America. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae193. [PMID: 39288165 PMCID: PMC11424165 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae193] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
A few iconic examples have proven the value of facilitated gene flow for counteracting inbreeding depression and staving off extinction; yet, the practice is often not implemented for fear of causing outbreeding depression. Using genomic sequencing, climatic niche modeling, and demographic reconstruction, we sought to assess the risks and benefits of using translocations as a tool for recovery of endangered montane red fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations in the western United States. We demonstrated elevated inbreeding and homozygosity of deleterious alleles across all populations, but especially those isolated in the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges. Consequently, translocations would be expected to increase population growth by masking deleterious recessive alleles. Demographic reconstructions further indicated shallow divergences of less than a few thousand years among montane populations, suggesting low risk of outbreeding depression. These genomic-guided findings set the stage for future management, the documentation of which will provide a roadmap for recovery of other data-deficient taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cate B Quinn
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Genetics Research Unit, Wildlife Health Laboratory, Sacramento, CA, USA
- National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Sophie Preckler-Quisquater
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael R Buchalski
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Genetics Research Unit, Wildlife Health Laboratory, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin N Sacks
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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6
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Sexton JP, Clemens M, Bell N, Hall J, Fyfe V, Hoffmann AA. Patterns and effects of gene flow on adaptation across spatial scales: implications for management. J Evol Biol 2024; 37:732-745. [PMID: 38888218 DOI: 10.1093/jeb/voae064] [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: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Gene flow can have rapid effects on adaptation and is an important evolutionary tool available when undertaking biological conservation and restoration. This tool is underused partly because of the perceived risk of outbreeding depression and loss of mean fitness when different populations are crossed. In this article, we briefly review some theory and empirical findings on how genetic variation is distributed across species ranges, describe known patterns of gene flow in nature with respect to environmental gradients, and highlight the effects of gene flow on adaptation in small or stressed populations in challenging environments (e.g., at species range limits). We then present a case study involving crosses at varying spatial scales among mountain populations of a trigger plant (Stylidium armeria: Stylidiaceae) in the Australian Alps to highlight how some issues around gene flow effects can be evaluated. We found evidence of outbreeding depression in seed production at greater geographic distances. Nevertheless, we found no evidence of maladaptive gene flow effects in likelihood of germination, plant performance (size), and performance variance, suggesting that gene flow at all spatial scales produces offspring with high adaptive potential. This case study demonstrates a path to evaluating how increasing sources of gene flow in managed wild and restored populations could identify some offspring with high fitness that could bolster the ability of populations to adapt to future environmental changes. We suggest further ways in which managers and researchers can act to understand and consider adaptive gene flow in natural and conservation contexts under rapidly changing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason P Sexton
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Molly Clemens
- Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group, Bio21 Institute, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Bell
- Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group, Bio21 Institute, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph Hall
- Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group, Bio21 Institute, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Verity Fyfe
- Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group, Bio21 Institute, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ary A Hoffmann
- Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group, Bio21 Institute, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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7
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Anka IZ, Uren Webster TM, Berbel-Filho WM, Hitchings M, Overland B, Weller S, Garcia de Leaniz C, Consuegra S. Microbiome and epigenetic variation in wild fish with low genetic diversity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4725. [PMID: 38830879 PMCID: PMC11148108 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49162-8] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-genetic sources of phenotypic variation, such as the epigenome and the microbiome, could be important contributors to adaptive variation for species with low genetic diversity. However, little is known about the complex interaction between these factors and the genetic diversity of the host, particularly in wild populations. Here, we examine the skin microbiome composition of two closely-related mangrove killifish species with different mating systems (self-fertilising and outcrossing) under sympatric and allopatric conditions. This allows us to partition the influence of the genotype and the environment on their microbiome and (previously described) epigenetic profiles. We find the diversity and community composition of the skin microbiome are strongly shaped by the environment and, to a lesser extent, by species-specific influences. Heterozygosity and microbiome alpha diversity, but not epigenetic variation, are associated with the fluctuating asymmetry of traits related to performance (vision) and behaviour (aggression). Our study identifies that a proportion of the epigenetic diversity and microbiome differentiation is unrelated to genetic variation, and we find evidence for an associative relationship between microbiome and epigenetic diversity in these wild populations. This suggests that both mechanisms could potentially contribute to variation in species with low genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishrat Z Anka
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
- Department of Aquaculture, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Tamsyn M Uren Webster
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Waldir M Berbel-Filho
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, USA
| | - Matthew Hitchings
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Benjamin Overland
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Sarah Weller
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Carlos Garcia de Leaniz
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
- Marine Research Centre (CIM-UVIGO), Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Sofia Consuegra
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK.
- Grupo de Biotecnología Acuática, Departamento de Biotecnología y Acuicultura, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas, IIM-CSIC, Vigo, Spain.
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8
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Martin RA, Tate AT. Pleiotropy alleviates the fitness costs associated with resource allocation trade-offs in immune signalling networks. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240446. [PMID: 38835275 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0446] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Many genes and signalling pathways within plant and animal taxa drive the expression of multiple organismal traits. This form of genetic pleiotropy instigates trade-offs among life-history traits if a mutation in the pleiotropic gene improves the fitness contribution of one trait at the expense of another. Whether or not pleiotropy gives rise to conflict among traits, however, likely depends on the resource costs and timing of trait deployment during organismal development. To investigate factors that could influence the evolutionary maintenance of pleiotropy in gene networks, we developed an agent-based model of co-evolution between parasites and hosts. Hosts comprise signalling networks that must faithfully complete a developmental programme while also defending against parasites, and trait signalling networks could be independent or share a pleiotropic component as they evolved to improve host fitness. We found that hosts with independent developmental and immune networks were significantly more fit than hosts with pleiotropic networks when traits were deployed asynchronously during development. When host genotypes directly competed against each other, however, pleiotropic hosts were victorious regardless of trait synchrony because the pleiotropic networks were more robust to parasite manipulation, potentially explaining the abundance of pleiotropy in immune systems despite its contribution to life history trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reese A Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Ann T Tate
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
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Prakash A, Capblancq T, Shallows K, Saville D, Landau D, Landress C, Jacobs T, Keller S. Bringing genomics to the field: An integrative approach to seed sourcing for forest restoration. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2024; 12:e11600. [PMID: 38912128 PMCID: PMC11192164 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Premise Global anthropogenic change threatens the health and productivity of forest ecosystems. Assisted migration and reforestation are tools to help mitigate these impacts. However, questions remain about how to approach sourcing seeds to ensure high establishment and future adaptability. Methods Using exome-capture sequencing, we demonstrate a computational approach to finding the best n-sets from a candidate list of seed sources that collectively achieve high genetic diversity (GD) and minimal genetic load (GL), while also increasing evolvability in quantitative traits. The benefits of this three-part strategy (diversity-load-evolvability) are to increase near-term establishment success while also boosting evolutionary potential to respond to future stressors. Members of The Nature Conservancy and the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative planted 58,000 seedlings across 255 acres. A subset of seedlings was monitored for establishment success and variation in growth. Results The results show gains in GD relative to GL and increases in quantitative genetic variation in seedling growth for pooled vs. single-source restoration. No single "super source" was observed across planting sites; rather, monitoring results demonstrate that pooling of multiple sources helps achieve higher GD:GL and evolvability. Discussion Our study shows the potential for integrating genomics into local-scale restoration and the importance of building partnerships between academic researchers and applied conservation managers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoob Prakash
- Department of Plant BiologyUniversity of VermontBurlingtonVermontUSA
| | - Thibaut Capblancq
- Department of Plant BiologyUniversity of VermontBurlingtonVermontUSA
- Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine, Université Grenoble‐Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRSGrenobleFrance
| | - Kathryn Shallows
- Central Appalachians Program, The Nature ConservancyElkinsWest VirginiaUSA
| | - David Saville
- Appalachian Forest Restoration LLCMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Deborah Landau
- Maryland/DC Chapter, The Nature ConservancyBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Chad Landress
- USDA Forest Service, Monongahela National ForestElkinsWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Tal Jacobs
- Clinch Valley Program, The Nature ConservancyAbingdonVirginiaUSA
| | - Stephen Keller
- Department of Plant BiologyUniversity of VermontBurlingtonVermontUSA
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10
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Sopniewski J, Catullo RA. Estimates of heterozygosity from single nucleotide polymorphism markers are context-dependent and often wrong. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13947. [PMID: 38433491 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13947] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Genetic diversity is frequently described using heterozygosity, particularly in a conservation context. Often, it is estimated using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs); however, it has been shown that heterozygosity values calculated from SNPs can be biased by both study design and filtering parameters. Though solutions have been proposed to address these issues, our own work has found them to be inadequate in some circumstances. Here, we aimed to improve the reliability and comparability of heterozygosity estimates, specifically by investigating how sample size and missing data thresholds influenced the calculation of autosomal heterozygosity (heterozygosity calculated from across the genome, i.e. fixed and variable sites). We also explored how the standard practice of tri- and tetra-allelic site exclusion could bias heterozygosity estimates and influence eventual conclusions relating to genetic diversity. Across three distinct taxa (a frog, Litoria rubella; a tree, Eucalyptus microcarpa; and a grasshopper, Keyacris scurra), we found heterozygosity estimates to be meaningfully affected by sample size and missing data thresholds, partly due to the exclusion of tri- and tetra-allelic sites. These biases were inconsistent both between species and populations, with more diverse populations tending to have their estimates more severely affected, thus having potential to dramatically alter interpretations of genetic diversity. We propose a modified framework for calculating heterozygosity that reduces bias and improves the utility of heterozygosity as a measure of genetic diversity, whilst also highlighting the need for existing population genetic pipelines to be adjusted such that tri- and tetra-allelic sites be included in calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod Sopniewski
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Renee A Catullo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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11
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Judson BJ, Kristjánsson BK, Leblanc CA, Ferguson MM. The role of neutral and adaptive evolutionary processes on patterns of genetic diversity across small cave-dwelling populations of Icelandic Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus). Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11363. [PMID: 38770124 PMCID: PMC11103641 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11363] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the adaptability of small populations in the face of environmental change is a central problem in evolutionary biology. Solving this problem is challenging because neutral evolutionary processes that operate on historical and contemporary timescales can override the effects of selection in small populations. We assessed the effects of isolation by colonization (IBC), isolation by dispersal limitation (IBDL) as reflected by a pattern of isolation by distance (IBD), and isolation by adaptation (IBA) and the roles of genetic drift and gene flow on patterns of genetic differentiation among 19 cave-dwelling populations of Icelandic Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). We detected evidence of IBC based on the genetic affinity of nearby cave populations and the genetic relationships between the cave populations and the presumed ancestral population in the lake. A pattern of IBD was evident regardless of whether high-level genetic structuring (IBC) was taken into account. Genetic signatures of bottlenecks and lower genetic diversity in smaller populations indicate the effect of drift. Estimates of gene flow and fish movement suggest that gene flow is limited to nearby populations. In contrast, we found little evidence of IBA as patterns of local ecological and phenotypic variation showed little association with genetic differentiation among populations. Thus, patterns of genetic variation in these small populations likely reflect localized gene flow and genetic drift superimposed onto a larger-scale structure that is largely a result of colonization history. Our simultaneous assessment of the effects of neutral and adaptive processes in a tractable and replicated system has yielded novel insights into the evolution of small populations on both historical and contemporary timescales and over a smaller spatial scale than is typically studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braden J. Judson
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | | | | | - Moira M. Ferguson
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
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12
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Iverson ENK. Conservation Mitonuclear Replacement: Facilitated mitochondrial adaptation for a changing world. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13642. [PMID: 38468713 PMCID: PMC10925831 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13642] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Most species will not be able to migrate fast enough to cope with climate change, nor evolve quickly enough with current levels of genetic variation. Exacerbating the problem are anthropogenic influences on adaptive potential, including the prevention of gene flow through habitat fragmentation and the erosion of genetic diversity in small, bottlenecked populations. Facilitated adaptation, or assisted evolution, offers a way to augment adaptive genetic variation via artificial selection, induced hybridization, or genetic engineering. One key source of genetic variation, particularly for climatic adaptation, are the core metabolic genes encoded by the mitochondrial genome. These genes influence environmental tolerance to heat, drought, and hypoxia, but must interact intimately and co-evolve with a suite of important nuclear genes. These coadapted mitonuclear genes form some of the important reproductive barriers between species. Mitochondrial genomes can and do introgress between species in an adaptive manner, and they may co-introgress with nuclear genes important for maintaining mitonuclear compatibility. Managers should consider the relevance of mitonuclear genetic variability in conservation decision-making, including as a tool for facilitating adaptation. I propose a novel technique dubbed Conservation Mitonuclear Replacement (CmNR), which entails replacing the core metabolic machinery of a threatened species-the mitochondrial genome and key nuclear loci-with those from a closely related species or a divergent population, which may be better-adapted to climatic changes or carry a lower genetic load. The most feasible route to CmNR is to combine CRISPR-based nuclear genetic editing with mitochondrial replacement and assisted reproductive technologies. This method preserves much of an organism's phenotype and could allow populations to persist in the wild when no other suitable conservation options exist. The technique could be particularly important on mountaintops, where rising temperatures threaten an alarming number of species with almost certain extinction in the next century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik N. K. Iverson
- Department of Integrative BiologyThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
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13
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Schiestl FP. Is experimental evolution relevant for botanical research? AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2024; 111:e16296. [PMID: 38384109 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Florian P Schiestl
- Department Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zürich, Switzerland
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14
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Abstract
Genomic data are becoming increasingly affordable and easy to collect, and new tools for their analysis are appearing rapidly. Conservation biologists are interested in using this information to assist in management and planning but are typically limited financially and by the lack of genomic resources available for non-model taxa. It is therefore important to be aware of the pitfalls as well as the benefits of applying genomic approaches. Here, we highlight recent methods aimed at standardizing population assessments of genetic variation, inbreeding, and forms of genetic load and methods that help identify past and ongoing patterns of genetic interchange between populations, including those subjected to recent disturbance. We emphasize challenges in applying some of these methods and the need for adequate bioinformatic support. We also consider the promises and challenges of applying genomic approaches to understand adaptive changes in natural populations to predict their future adaptive capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Schmidt
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Joshua A Thia
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Ary A Hoffmann
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;
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15
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Hoste A, Capblancq T, Broquet T, Denoyelle L, Perrier C, Buzan E, Šprem N, Corlatti L, Crestanello B, Hauffe HC, Pellissier L, Yannic G. Projection of current and future distribution of adaptive genetic units in an alpine ungulate. Heredity (Edinb) 2024; 132:54-66. [PMID: 38082151 PMCID: PMC10798982 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00661-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate projections predict major changes in alpine environments by the end of the 21st century. To avoid climate-induced maladaptation and extinction, many animal populations will either need to move to more suitable habitats or adapt in situ to novel conditions. Since populations of a species exhibit genetic variation related to local adaptation, it is important to incorporate this variation into predictive models to help assess the ability of the species to survive climate change. Here, we evaluate how the adaptive genetic variation of a mountain ungulate-the Northern chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)-could be impacted by future global warming. Based on genotype-environment association analyses of 429 chamois using a ddRAD sequencing approach, we identified genetic variation associated with climatic gradients across the European Alps. We then delineated adaptive genetic units and projected the optimal distribution of these adaptive groups in the future. Our results suggest the presence of local adaptation to climate in Northern chamois with similar genetic adaptive responses in geographically distant but climatically similar populations. Furthermore, our results predict that future climatic changes will modify the Northern chamois adaptive landscape considerably, with various degrees of maladaptation risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Hoste
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Thibaut Capblancq
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Thomas Broquet
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR 7144, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France
| | - Laure Denoyelle
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Perrier
- UMR CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, Institut Agro, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Elena Buzan
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
- Faculty of Environmental Protection, Trg mladosti 7, 3320, Velenje, Slovenia
| | - Nikica Šprem
- Department of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Luca Corlatti
- Stelvio National Park - ERSAF Lombardia, Via De Simoni 42, 23032, Bormio, Italy
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Crestanello
- Conservation Genomics Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione E. Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 S, Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Heidi Christine Hauffe
- Conservation Genomics Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione E. Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 S, Michele all'Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Loïc Pellissier
- Landscape Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zrich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Glenn Yannic
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France.
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16
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Martin R, Tate AT. Pleiotropy alleviates the fitness costs associated with resource allocation trade-offs in immune signaling networks. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.06.561276. [PMID: 37873469 PMCID: PMC10592669 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.06.561276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Many genes and signaling pathways within plant and animal taxa drive the expression of multiple organismal traits. This form of genetic pleiotropy instigates trade-offs among life-history traits if a mutation in the pleiotropic gene improves the fitness contribution of one trait at the expense of another. Whether or not pleiotropy gives rise to conflict among traits, however, likely depends on the resource costs and timing of trait deployment during organismal development. To investigate factors that could influence the evolutionary maintenance of pleiotropy in gene networks, we developed an agent-based model of co-evolution between parasites and hosts. Hosts comprise signaling networks that must faithfully complete a developmental program while also defending against parasites, and trait signaling networks could be independent or share a pleiotropic component as they evolved to improve host fitness. We found that hosts with independent developmental and immune networks were significantly more fit than hosts with pleiotropic networks when traits were deployed asynchronously during development. When host genotypes directly competed against each other, however, pleiotropic hosts were victorious regardless of trait synchrony because the pleiotropic networks were more robust to parasite manipulation, potentially explaining the abundance of pleiotropy in immune systems despite its contribution to life history trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reese Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN, 37235
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ann T Tate
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN, 37235
- Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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17
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Thompson LM, Thurman LL, Cook CN, Beever EA, Sgrò CM, Battles A, Botero CA, Gross JE, Hall KR, Hendry AP, Hoffmann AA, Hoving C, LeDee OE, Mengelt C, Nicotra AB, Niver RA, Pérez‐Jvostov F, Quiñones RM, Schuurman GW, Schwartz MK, Szymanski J, Whiteley A. Connecting research and practice to enhance the evolutionary potential of species under climate change. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Thompson
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | | | - Carly N. Cook
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Erik A. Beever
- USGS, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center and Montana State University Bozeman Montana USA
| | - Carla M. Sgrò
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | | | | | - John E. Gross
- National Park Service (NPS) Climate Change Response Program Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Olivia E. LeDee
- USGS, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center Saint Paul Minnesota USA
| | | | | | - Robyn A. Niver
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Branch of Listing and Policy Support Bailey's Crossroads Virginia USA
| | | | - Rebecca M. Quiñones
- Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Westborough Massachusetts USA
| | - Gregor W. Schuurman
- National Park Service (NPS) Climate Change Response Program Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Michael K. Schwartz
- U.S. Forest Service, National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation Missoula Montana USA
| | - Jennifer Szymanski
- USFWS, Branch of SSA Science Support, Division of Endangered Species Onalaska Wisconsin USA
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18
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Snead AA, Alda F. Time-Series Sequences for Evolutionary Inferences. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:1771-1783. [PMID: 36104153 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony A Snead
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, 300 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Fernando Alda
- Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA
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19
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Aagaard A, Liu S, Tregenza T, Braad Lund M, Schramm A, Verhoeven KJF, Bechsgaard J, Bilde T. Adapting to climate with limited genetic diversity: Nucleotide, DNA methylation and microbiome variation among populations of the social spider Stegodyphus dumicola. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5765-5783. [PMID: 36112081 PMCID: PMC9827990 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the role of genetic and nongenetic variants in modulating phenotypes is central to our knowledge of adaptive responses to local conditions and environmental change, particularly in species with such low population genetic diversity that it is likely to limit their evolutionary potential. A first step towards uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying population-specific responses to the environment is to carry out environmental association studies. We associated climatic variation with genetic, epigenetic and microbiome variation in populations of a social spider with extremely low standing genetic diversity. We identified genetic variants that are associated strongly with environmental variation, particularly with average temperature, a pattern consistent with local adaptation. Variation in DNA methylation in many genes was strongly correlated with a wide set of climate parameters, thereby revealing a different pattern of associations than that of genetic variants, which show strong correlations to a more restricted range of climate parameters. DNA methylation levels were largely independent of cis-genetic variation and of overall genetic population structure, suggesting that DNA methylation can work as an independent mechanism. Microbiome composition also correlated with environmental variation, but most strong associations were with precipitation-related climatic factors. Our results suggest a role for both genetic and nongenetic mechanisms in shaping phenotypic responses to local environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Aagaard
- Section for Genetics, Ecology & Evolution, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Shenglin Liu
- Section for Genetics, Ecology & Evolution, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Tom Tregenza
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, School of BiosciencesUniversity of ExeterPenryn CampusUK
| | - Marie Braad Lund
- Section for Microbiology, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Andreas Schramm
- Section for Microbiology, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Koen J. F. Verhoeven
- Terrestrial Ecology DepartmentNetherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW)WageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Jesper Bechsgaard
- Section for Genetics, Ecology & Evolution, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Trine Bilde
- Section for Genetics, Ecology & Evolution, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
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20
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Genome-Wide SNP Analysis Reveals the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of the Domestic Reindeer Population (Rangifer tarandus) Inhabiting the Indigenous Tofalar Lands of Southern Siberia. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14110900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Operating under the assumption that decline in population size increases the threat of loss of genetic diversity, herein, our first aim was to monitor and document the genetic diversity and population structure of the endemic Tuva–Tofalar reindeer, the number of which has seen a dramatic decrease. Second, we were interested in understanding of Tuva reindeer genetic relationship with four officially recognized reindeer breeds, whose wild populations inhabit the Far North of Russia, as well as with the domestic reindeer making up the Mongolian population. Our results, based on the genome-wide SNP genotypes generated by the BovineHD BeadChip, revealed a low level of genetic variability of Tuva population in terms of the values of both allelic and genetic diversity. The ADMIXTURE analysis, the PCA plot, and the Neighbor Net network results, showed that Tuva population shared genetic background with reindeer inhabiting Mongolia, an implication of their common origin. Moreover, all statistic approaches used in our study showed a distinctive shared genetic structure revealed in independent clusters found in the composition of: an admixed cluster of Tuvan and Mongolian populations, a cluster of domestic reindeer breeds, and a cluster of the wild populations—all of which indirectly points to the possibility of the independent origins (with regard to the domestication) of the reindeer groups studied herein. We believe that our findings will contribute to the formation of a rational basis for solving problems related to the conservation of domestic Tuva-Tofalar reindeer in order to increase the number of this substantial reindeer population which will contribute to the sustainable functioning of ecosystems and the lives and culture of indigenous peoples inhabiting the southern sections of Eastern Siberia.
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21
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Bosse M, van Loon S. Challenges in quantifying genome erosion for conservation. Front Genet 2022; 13:960958. [PMID: 36226192 PMCID: PMC9549127 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.960958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Massive defaunation and high extinction rates have become characteristic of the Anthropocene. Genetic effects of population decline can lead populations into an extinction vortex, where declining populations show lower genetic fitness, in turn leading to lower populations still. The lower genetic fitness in a declining population due to a shrinking gene pool is known as genetic erosion. Three different types of genetic erosion are highlighted in this review: overall homozygosity, genetic load and runs of homozygosity (ROH), which are indicative of inbreeding. The ability to quantify genetic erosion could be a very helpful tool for conservationists, as it can provide them with an objective, quantifiable measure to use in the assessment of species at risk of extinction. The link between conservation status and genetic erosion should become more apparent. Currently, no clear correlation can be observed between the current conservation status and genetic erosion. However, the high quantities of genetic erosion in wild populations, especially in those species dealing with habitat fragmentation and habitat decline, may be early signs of deteriorating populations. Whole genome sequencing data is the way forward to quantify genetic erosion. Extra screening steps for genetic load and hybridization can be included, since they could potentially have great impact on population fitness. This way, the information yielded from genetic sequence data can provide conservationists with an objective genetic method in the assessment of species at risk of extinction. However, the great complexity of genome erosion quantification asks for consensus and bridging science and its applications, which remains challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirte Bosse
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Section Ecology and Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Sam van Loon
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Section Ecology and Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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22
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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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23
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Ørsted M, Yashiro E, Hoffmann AA, Kristensen TN. Population bottlenecks constrain host microbiome diversity and genetic variation impeding fitness. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010206. [PMID: 35604942 PMCID: PMC9166449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
It is becoming increasingly clear that microbial symbionts influence key aspects of their host’s fitness, and vice versa. This may fundamentally change our thinking about how microbes and hosts interact in influencing fitness and adaptation to changing environments. Here we explore how reductions in population size commonly experienced by threatened species influence microbiome diversity. Consequences of such reductions are normally interpreted in terms of a loss of genetic variation, increased inbreeding and associated inbreeding depression. However, fitness effects of population bottlenecks might also be mediated through microbiome diversity, such as through loss of functionally important microbes. Here we utilise 50 Drosophila melanogaster lines with different histories of population bottlenecks to explore these questions. The lines were phenotyped for egg-to-adult viability and their genomes sequenced to estimate genetic variation. The bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified in these lines to investigate microbial diversity. We found that 1) host population bottlenecks constrained microbiome richness and diversity, 2) core microbiomes of hosts with low genetic variation were constituted from subsets of microbiomes found in flies with higher genetic variation, 3) both microbiome diversity and host genetic variation contributed to host population fitness, 4) connectivity and robustness of bacterial networks was low in the inbred lines regardless of host genetic variation, 5) reduced microbial diversity was associated with weaker evolutionary responses of hosts in stressful environments, and 6) these effects were unrelated to Wolbachia density. These findings suggest that population bottlenecks reduce hologenomic variation (combined host and microbial genetic variation). Thus, while the current biodiversity crisis focuses on population sizes and genetic variation of eukaryotes, an additional focal point should be the microbial diversity carried by the eukaryotes, which in turn may influence host fitness and adaptability with consequences for the persistence of populations. It is becoming increasingly clear that organisms and the microbes that live on or in them–their microbiome–affect each other in profound ways that we are just beginning to understand. For instance, a diverse microbiome can help maintain metabolic functions or fight pathogens causing diseases. A disrupted microbiome may be especially critical for animals and plants that occur in low numbers because of threats from e.g. human exploitation or climate change, as they may already suffer from genetic challenges such as inbreeding and reduced evolutionary potential. The importance of such a reduction in population size, called a bottleneck, on the microbial diversity and the potential interactive effects on host health remains unexplored. Here we experimentally test these associations by investigating the microbiomes of 50 inbred or non-inbred populations of vinegar flies. We found that restricting the population size constrain the host’s genetic variation and simultaneously decreases the diversity of the microbiome that they harbor, and that both effects were detrimental to host fitness. The microbial communities in inbred host populations were less robust than in their non-inbred counterparts, suggesting that we should increasingly consider the microbiome diversity, which may ultimately influence the health and persistence of threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ørsted
- Section for Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Section for Bioscience and Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Erika Yashiro
- Section for Bioscience and Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Institute for Plant Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ary A. Hoffmann
- Section for Bioscience and Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Torsten Nygaard Kristensen
- Section for Bioscience and Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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24
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Jørgensen DB, Ørsted M, Kristensen TN. Sustained positive consequences of genetic rescue of fitness and behavioural traits in inbred populations of Drosophila melanogaster. J Evol Biol 2022; 35:868-878. [PMID: 35532930 PMCID: PMC9325394 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
One solution to alleviate the detrimental genetic effects associated with reductions in population size and fragmentation is to introduce immigrants from other populations. While the effects of this genetic rescue on fitness traits are fairly well known, it is less clear to what extent inbreeding depression and subsequent genetic rescue affect behavioural traits. In this study, replicated crosses between inbred lines of Drosophila melanogaster were performed in order to investigate the effects of inbreeding and genetic rescue on egg-to-adult viability and negative geotaxis behaviour-a locomotor response used to measure, e.g. the effects of physiological ageing. Transgenerational effects of outcrossing were investigated by examining the fitness consequences in both the F1 and F4 generation. The majority of inbred lines showed evidence for inbreeding depression for both egg-to-adult viability and behavioural performance (95% and 66% of lines, respectively), with inbreeding depression being more pronounced for viability compared with the locomotor response. Subsequent outcrossing with immigrants led to an alleviation of the negative effects for both viability and geotaxis response resulting in inbred lines being similar to the outbred controls, with beneficial effects persisting from F1 to F4 . Overall, the results clearly show that genetic rescue can provide transgenerational rescue of small, inbred populations by rapidly improving population fitness components. Thus, we show that even the negative effects of inbreeding on behaviour, similar to that of neurodegeneration associated with physiological ageing, can be reversed by genetic rescue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Ørsted
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg E, Denmark.,Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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25
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Cuevas-Caballé C, Ferrer Obiol J, Vizueta J, Genovart M, Gonzalez-Solís J, Riutort M, Rozas J. The First Genome of the Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) Provides a Valuable Resource for Conservation Genomics and Sheds Light on Adaptation to a Pelagic lifestyle. Genome Biol Evol 2022; 14:evac067. [PMID: 35524941 PMCID: PMC9117697 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) is the most threatened seabird in Europe and a member of the most speciose group of pelagic seabirds, the order Procellariiformes, which exhibit extreme adaptations to a pelagic lifestyle. The fossil record suggests that human colonisation of the Balearic Islands resulted in a sharp decrease of the Balearic shearwater population size. Currently, populations of the species continue to be decimated mainly due to predation by introduced mammals and bycatch in longline fisheries, with some studies predicting its extinction by 2070. Here, using a combination of short and long reads, we generate the first high-quality reference genome for the Balearic shearwater, with a completeness amongst the highest across available avian species. We used this reference genome to study critical aspects relevant to the conservation status of the species and to gain insights into the adaptation to a pelagic lifestyle of the order Procellariiformes. We detected relatively high levels of genome-wide heterozygosity in the Balearic shearwater despite its reduced population size. However, the reconstruction of its historical demography uncovered an abrupt population decline potentially linked to a reduction of the neritic zone during the Penultimate Glacial Period (∼194-135 ka). Comparative genomics analyses uncover a set of candidate genes that may have played an important role into the adaptation to a pelagic lifestyle of Procellariiformes, including those for the enhancement of fishing capabilities, night vision, and the development of natriuresis. The reference genome obtained will be the crucial in the future development of genetic tools in conservation efforts for this Critically Endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Cuevas-Caballé
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia & Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Ferrer Obiol
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia & Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano (UniMi), Milan, Italy
| | - Joel Vizueta
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia & Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
- Villum Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Meritxell Genovart
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA), CSIC-UIB & Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB), CSIC, Esporles, Spain
| | - Jacob Gonzalez-Solís
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia & Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Riutort
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia & Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Rozas
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia & Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
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26
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Evolution of Phytoplankton as Estimated from Genetic Diversity. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10040456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplankton are photosynthetic, single-celled organisms producing almost half of all oxygen on Earth and play a central role as prey for higher organisms, making them irreplaceable in the marine food web. As Global Change proceeds, imposing rapidly intensifying selection pressures, phytoplankton are forced to undergo evolution, local extinction, or redistribution, with potentially cascading effects throughout the marine ecosystem. Recent results from the field of population genetics display high levels of standing genetic diversity in natural phytoplankton populations, providing ample ‘evolutionary options’ and implying high adaptive potential to changing conditions. This potential for adaptive evolution is realized in several studies of experimental evolution, even though most of these studies investigate the evolution of only single strains. This, however, shows that phytoplankton not only evolve from standing genetic diversity, but also rely on de novo mutations. Recent global sampling campaigns show that the immense intraspecific diversity of phytoplankton in the marine ecosystem has been significantly underestimated, meaning we are only studying a minor portion of the relevant variability in the context of Global Change and evolution. An increased understanding of genomic diversity is primarily hampered by the low number of ecologically representative reference genomes of eukaryotic phytoplankton and the functional annotation of these. However, emerging technologies relying on metagenome and transcriptome data may offer a more realistic understanding of phytoplankton diversity.
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27
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Viluma A, Flagstad Ø, Åkesson M, Wikenros C, Sand H, Wabakken P, Ellegren H. Whole-genome resequencing of temporally stratified samples reveals substantial loss of haplotype diversity in the highly inbred Scandinavian wolf population. Genome Res 2022; 32:449-458. [PMID: 35135873 PMCID: PMC8896455 DOI: 10.1101/gr.276070.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Genetic drift can dramatically change allele frequencies in small populations and lead to reduced levels of genetic diversity, including loss of segregating variants. However, there is a shortage of quantitative studies of how genetic diversity changes over time in natural populations, especially on genome-wide scales. Here, we analyzed whole-genome sequences from 76 wolves of a highly inbred Scandinavian population, founded by only one female and two males, sampled over a period of 30 yr. We obtained chromosome-level haplotypes of all three founders and found that 10%–24% of their diploid genomes had become lost after about 20 yr of inbreeding (which approximately corresponds to five generations). Lost haplotypes spanned large genomic regions, as expected from the amount of recombination during this limited time period. Altogether, 160,000 SNP alleles became lost from the population, which may include adaptive variants as well as wild-type alleles masking recessively deleterious alleles. Although not sampled, we could indirectly infer that the two male founders had megabase-sized runs of homozygosity and that all three founders showed significant haplotype sharing, meaning that there were on average only 4.2 unique haplotypes in the six copies of each autosome that the founders brought into the population. This violates the assumption of unrelated founder haplotypes often made in conservation and management of endangered species. Our study provides a novel view of how whole-genome resequencing of temporally stratified samples can be used to visualize and directly quantify the consequences of genetic drift in a small inbred population.
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28
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Willi Y, Kristensen TN, Sgrò CM, Weeks AR, Ørsted M, Hoffmann AA. Conservation genetics as a management tool: The five best-supported paradigms to assist the management of threatened species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2105076119. [PMID: 34930821 PMCID: PMC8740573 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2105076119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
About 50 y ago, Crow and Kimura [An Introduction to Population Genetics Theory (1970)] and Ohta and Kimura [Genet. Res. 22, 201-204 (1973)] laid the foundations of conservation genetics by predicting the relationship between population size and genetic marker diversity. This work sparked an enormous research effort investigating the importance of population dynamics, in particular small population size, for population mean performance, population viability, and evolutionary potential. In light of a recent perspective [J. C. Teixeira, C. D. Huber, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 118, 10 (2021)] that challenges some fundamental assumptions in conservation genetics, it is timely to summarize what the field has achieved, what robust patterns have emerged, and worthwhile future research directions. We consider theory and methodological breakthroughs that have helped management, and we outline some fundamental and applied challenges for conservation genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Willi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Torsten N Kristensen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
| | - Carla M Sgrò
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew R Weeks
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Cesar Australia, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia
| | - Michael Ørsted
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Ary A Hoffmann
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
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Kardos M, Armstrong EE, Fitzpatrick SW, Hauser S, Hedrick PW, Miller JM, Tallmon DA, Funk WC. The crucial role of genome-wide genetic variation in conservation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2104642118. [PMID: 34772759 PMCID: PMC8640931 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2104642118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented rate of extinction calls for efficient use of genetics to help conserve biodiversity. Several recent genomic and simulation-based studies have argued that the field of conservation biology has placed too much focus on conserving genome-wide genetic variation, and that the field should instead focus on managing the subset of functional genetic variation that is thought to affect fitness. Here, we critically evaluate the feasibility and likely benefits of this approach in conservation. We find that population genetics theory and empirical results show that conserving genome-wide genetic variation is generally the best approach to prevent inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive potential from driving populations toward extinction. Focusing conservation efforts on presumably functional genetic variation will only be feasible occasionally, often misleading, and counterproductive when prioritized over genome-wide genetic variation. Given the increasing rate of habitat loss and other environmental changes, failure to recognize the detrimental effects of lost genome-wide genetic variation on long-term population viability will only worsen the biodiversity crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marty Kardos
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA 98112;
| | | | - Sarah W Fitzpatrick
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI 49060
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Samantha Hauser
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211
| | - Philip W Hedrick
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Joshua M Miller
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA 92027
- Polar Bears International, Bozeman, MT 59772
- Department of Biological Sciences, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada
| | - David A Tallmon
- Biology and Marine Biology Program, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK 99801
| | - W Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
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Abstract
The unprecedented rate of extinction calls for efficient use of genetics to help conserve biodiversity. Several recent genomic and simulation-based studies have argued that the field of conservation biology has placed too much focus on conserving genome-wide genetic variation, and that the field should instead focus on managing the subset of functional genetic variation that is thought to affect fitness. Here, we critically evaluate the feasibility and likely benefits of this approach in conservation. We find that population genetics theory and empirical results show that conserving genome-wide genetic variation is generally the best approach to prevent inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive potential from driving populations toward extinction. Focusing conservation efforts on presumably functional genetic variation will only be feasible occasionally, often misleading, and counterproductive when prioritized over genome-wide genetic variation. Given the increasing rate of habitat loss and other environmental changes, failure to recognize the detrimental effects of lost genome-wide genetic variation on long-term population viability will only worsen the biodiversity crisis.
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31
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Santos MA, Carromeu-Santos A, Quina AS, Santos M, Matos M, Simões P. No evidence for short-term evolutionary response to a warming environment in Drosophila. Evolution 2021; 75:2816-2829. [PMID: 34617283 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Adaptive evolution is key in mediating responses to global warming and may sometimes be the only solution for species to survive. Such evolution will expectedly lead to changes in the populations' thermal reaction norm and improve their ability to cope with stressful conditions. Conversely, evolutionary constraints might limit the adaptive response. Here, we test these expectations by performing a real-time evolution experiment in historically differentiated Drosophila subobscura populations. We address the phenotypic change after nine generations of evolution in a daily fluctuating environment with average constant temperature, or in a warming environment with increasing average and amplitude temperature across generations. Our results showed that (1) evolution under a global warming scenario does not lead to a noticeable change in the thermal response; (2) historical background appears to be affecting responses under the warming environment, particularly at higher temperatures; and (3) thermal reaction norms are trait dependent: although lifelong exposure to low temperature decreases fecundity and productivity but not viability, high temperature causes negative transgenerational effects on productivity and viability, even with high fecundity. These findings in such an emblematic organism for thermal adaptation studies raise concerns about the short-term efficiency of adaptive responses to the current rising temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta A Santos
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 1749-016.,Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 1749-016
| | - Ana Carromeu-Santos
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 1749-016.,CESAM, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal, 3810-193
| | - Ana S Quina
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 1749-016.,CESAM, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal, 3810-193
| | - Mauro Santos
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 1749-016.,Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Grup de Genòmica, Bioinformàtica i Biologia Evolutiva (GBBE), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain, 08193
| | - Margarida Matos
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 1749-016.,Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 1749-016
| | - Pedro Simões
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 1749-016.,Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 1749-016
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32
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Steele SE, Ryder OA, Maschinski J. RNA-Seq reveals adaptive genetic potential of the rare Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana) in the face of Ips bark beetle outbreaks. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01394-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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33
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Applying Population Viability Analysis to Inform Genetic Rescue That Preserves Locally Unique Genetic Variation in a Critically Endangered Mammal. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13080382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Genetic rescue can reduce the extinction risk of inbred populations, but it has the poorly understood risk of ‘genetic swamping’—the replacement of the distinctive variation of the target population. We applied population viability analysis (PVA) to identify translocation rates into the inbred lowland population of Leadbeater’s possum from an outbred highland population that would alleviate inbreeding depression and rapidly reach a target population size (N) while maximising the retention of locally unique neutral genetic variation. Using genomic kinship coefficients to model inbreeding in Vortex, we simulated genetic rescue scenarios that included gene pool mixing with genetically diverse highland possums and increased the N from 35 to 110 within ten years. The PVA predicted that the last remaining population of lowland Leadbeater’s possum will be extinct within 23 years without genetic rescue, and that the carrying capacity at its current range is insufficient to enable recovery, even with genetic rescue. Supplementation rates that rapidly increased population size resulted in higher retention (as opposed to complete loss) of local alleles through alleviation of genetic drift but reduced the frequency of locally unique alleles. Ongoing gene flow and a higher N will facilitate natural selection. Accordingly, we recommend founding a new population of lowland possums in a high-quality habitat, where population growth and natural gene exchange with highland populations are possible. We also recommend ensuring gene flow into the population through natural dispersal and/or frequent translocations of highland individuals. Genetic rescue should be implemented within an adaptive management framework, with post-translocation monitoring data incorporated into the models to make updated predictions.
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34
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Pogorevc N, Simčič M, Khayatzadeh N, Sölkner J, Berger B, Bojkovski D, Zorc M, Dovč P, Medugorac I, Horvat S. Post-genotyping optimization of dataset formation could affect genetic diversity parameters: an example of analyses with alpine goat breeds. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:546. [PMID: 34273960 PMCID: PMC8285797 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07802-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Local breeds retained unique genetic variability important for adaptive potential especially in light of challenges related to climate change. Our first objective was to perform, for the first time, a genome-wide diversity characterization using Illumina GoatSNP50 BeadChip of autochthonous Drežnica goat breed from Slovenia, and five and one local breeds from neighboring Austria and Italy, respectively. For optimal conservation and breeding programs of endangered local breeds, it is important to detect past admixture events and strive for preservation of purebred representatives of each breed with low or without admixture. In the second objective, we hence investigated the effect of inclusion or exclusion of outliers from datasets on genetic diversity and population structure parameters. Results Distinct genetic origin of the Drežnica goat was demonstrated as having closest nodes to Austrian and Italian breeds. A phylogenetic study of these breeds with other goat breeds having SNP data available in the DRYAD repository positioned them in the alpine, European and global context. Swiss breeds clustered with cosmopolitan alpine breeds and were closer to French and Spanish breeds. On the other hand, the Drežnica goat, Austrian and Italian breeds were closer to Turkish breeds. Datasets where outliers were excluded affected estimates of genetic diversity parameters within the breed and increased the pairwise genetic distances between most of the breeds. Alpine breeds, including Drežnica, Austrian and Italian goats analyzed here, still exhibit relatively high levels of genetic variability, homogeneous genetic structure and strong geographical partitioning. Conclusions Genetic diversity analyses revealed that the Slovenian Drežnica goat has a distinct genetic identity and is closely related to the neighboring Austrian and Italian alpine breeds. These results expand our knowledge on phylogeny of goat breeds from easternmost part of the European Alps. The here employed outlier test and datasets optimization approaches provided an objective and statistically powerful tool for removal of admixed outliers. Importance of this test in selecting the representatives of each breed is warranted to obtain more objective diversity parameters and phylogenetic analysis. Such parameters are often the basis of breeding and management programs and are therefore important for preserving genetic variability and uniqueness of local rare breeds. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07802-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neža Pogorevc
- Department of Animal science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Simčič
- Department of Animal science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Negar Khayatzadeh
- Division of Livestock Science, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor Mendel Str. 33, A-1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann Sölkner
- Division of Livestock Science, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor Mendel Str. 33, A-1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Beate Berger
- Department Animal Genetic Resources, AREC Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Institute of Organic Farming and Biodiversity of Farm Animals, 4601 Thalheim b., Wels, Austria
| | - Danijela Bojkovski
- Department of Animal science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Minja Zorc
- Department of Animal science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Dovč
- Department of Animal science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivica Medugorac
- Population Genomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Lena-Christ-Straβe 48, 8215, Martinsried/Planegg, Germany
| | - Simon Horvat
- Department of Animal science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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35
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Schmidt TL, Jasper M, Weeks AR, Hoffmann AA. Unbiased population heterozygosity estimates from genome‐wide sequence data. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L. Schmidt
- School of BioSciences Bio21 InstituteUniversity of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Moshe‐Elijah Jasper
- School of BioSciences Bio21 InstituteUniversity of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Andrew R Weeks
- School of BioSciences Bio21 InstituteUniversity of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
- cesar Pty Ltd Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Ary A Hoffmann
- School of BioSciences Bio21 InstituteUniversity of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
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36
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DeWoody JA, Harder AM, Mathur S, Willoughby JR. The long-standing significance of genetic diversity in conservation. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:4147-4154. [PMID: 34191374 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since allozymes were first used to assess genetic diversity in the 1960s and 1970s, biologists have attempted to characterize gene pools and conserve the diversity observed in domestic crops, livestock, zoos and (more recently) natural populations. Recently, some authors have claimed that the importance of genetic diversity in conservation biology has been greatly overstated. Here, we argue that a voluminous literature indicates otherwise. We address four main points made by detractors of genetic diversity's role in conservation by using published literature to firmly establish that genetic diversity is intimately tied to evolutionary fitness, and that the associated demographic consequences are of paramount importance to many conservation efforts. We think that responsible management in the Anthropocene should, whenever possible, include the conservation of ecosystems, communities, populations and individuals, and their underlying genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Andrew DeWoody
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Avril M Harder
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Samarth Mathur
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Janna R Willoughby
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
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37
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García-Dorado A, Caballero A. Neutral genetic diversity as a useful tool for conservation biology. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01384-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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38
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Wang Y, Ferveur JF, Moussian B. Eco-genetics of desiccation resistance in Drosophila. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1421-1440. [PMID: 33754475 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Climate change globally perturbs water circulation thereby influencing ecosystems including cultivated land. Both harmful and beneficial species of insects are likely to be vulnerable to such changes in climate. As small animals with a disadvantageous surface area to body mass ratio, they face a risk of desiccation. A number of behavioural, physiological and genetic strategies are deployed to solve these problems during adaptation in various Drosophila species. Over 100 desiccation-related genes have been identified in laboratory and wild populations of the cosmopolitan fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and its sister species in large-scale and single-gene approaches. These genes are involved in water sensing and homeostasis, and barrier formation and function via the production and composition of surface lipids and via pigmentation. Interestingly, the genetic strategy implemented in a given population appears to be unpredictable. In part, this may be due to different experimental approaches in different studies. The observed variability may also reflect a rich standing genetic variation in Drosophila allowing a quasi-random choice of response strategies through soft-sweep events, although further studies are needed to unravel any underlying principles. These findings underline that D. melanogaster is a robust species well adapted to resist climate change-related desiccation. The rich data obtained in Drosophila research provide a framework to address and understand desiccation resistance in other insects. Through the application of powerful genetic tools in the model organism D. melanogaster, the functions of desiccation-related genes revealed by correlative studies can be tested and the underlying molecular mechanisms of desiccation tolerance understood. The combination of the wealth of available data and its genetic accessibility makes Drosophila an ideal bioindicator. Accumulation of data on desiccation resistance in Drosophila may allow us to create a world map of genetic evolution in response to climate change in an insect genome. Ultimately these efforts may provide guidelines for dealing with the effects of climate-related perturbations on insect population dynamics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Wang
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell Biology, Section Animal Genetics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Jean-François Ferveur
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, UMR-CNRS 6265, Université de Bourgogne, 6, Bd Gabriel, Dijon, 21000, France
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell Biology, Section Animal Genetics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.,Institute of Biology Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Parc Valrose, Nice CEDEX 2, 06108, France
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39
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Allopatric Plant Pathogen Population Divergence following Disease Emergence. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:AEM.02095-20. [PMID: 33483307 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02095-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the landscape of globally distributed pathogens, populations differentiate via both adaptive and nonadaptive forces. Individual populations are likely to show unique trends of genetic diversity, host-pathogen interaction, and ecological adaptation. In plant pathogens, allopatric divergence may occur particularly rapidly within simplified agricultural monoculture landscapes. As such, the study of plant pathogen populations in monocultures can highlight the distinct evolutionary mechanisms that lead to local genetic differentiation. Xylella fastidiosa is a plant pathogen known to infect and damage multiple monocultures worldwide. One subspecies, Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa, was first introduced to the United States ∼150 years ago, where it was found to infect and cause disease in grapevines (Pierce's disease of grapevines, or PD). Here, we studied PD-causing subsp. fastidiosa populations, with an emphasis on those found in the United States. Our study shows that following their establishment in the United States, PD-causing strains likely split into populations on the East and West Coasts. This diversification has occurred via both changes in gene content (gene gain/loss events) and variations in nucleotide sequence (mutation and recombination). In addition, we reinforce the notion that PD-causing populations within the United States acted as the source for subsequent subsp. fastidiosa outbreaks in Europe and Asia.IMPORTANCE Compared to natural environments, the reduced diversity of monoculture agricultural landscapes can lead bacterial plant pathogens to quickly adapt to local biological and ecological conditions. Because of this, accidental introductions of microbial pathogens into naive regions represents a significant economic and environmental threat. Xylella fastidiosa is a plant pathogen with an expanding host and geographic range due to multiple intra- and intercontinental introductions. X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa infects and causes disease in grapevines (Pierce's disease of grapevines [PD]). This study focused on PD-causing X. fastidiosa populations, particularly those found in the United States but also invasions into Taiwan and Spain. The analysis shows that PD-causing X. fastidiosa has diversified via multiple cooccurring evolutionary forces acting at an intra- and interpopulation level. This analysis enables a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to the local adaptation of X. fastidiosa and how a plant pathogen diverges allopatrically after multiple and sequential introduction events.
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40
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Hoffmann AA, Weeks AR, Sgrò CM. Opportunities and challenges in assessing climate change vulnerability through genomics. Cell 2021; 184:1420-1425. [PMID: 33740448 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
By investigating how past selection has affected allele frequencies across space, genomic tools are providing new insights into adaptive evolutionary processes. Now researchers are considering how this genomic information can be used to predict the future vulnerability of species under climate change. Genomic vulnerability assessments show promise, but challenges remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ary A Hoffmann
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew R Weeks
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Carla M Sgrò
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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41
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Hoffmann AA, Miller AD, Weeks AR. Genetic mixing for population management: From genetic rescue to provenancing. Evol Appl 2021; 14:634-652. [PMID: 33767740 PMCID: PMC7980264 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal and plant species around the world are being challenged by the deleterious effects of inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity, and maladaptation due to widespread habitat destruction and rapid climate change. In many cases, interventions will likely be needed to safeguard populations and species and to maintain functioning ecosystems. Strategies aimed at initiating, reinstating, or enhancing patterns of gene flow via the deliberate movement of genotypes around the environment are generating growing interest with broad applications in conservation and environmental management. These diverse strategies go by various names ranging from genetic or evolutionary rescue to provenancing and genetic resurrection. Our aim here is to provide some clarification around terminology and to how these strategies are connected and linked to underlying genetic processes. We draw on case studies from the literature and outline mechanisms that underlie how the various strategies aim to increase species fitness and impact the wider community. We argue that understanding mechanisms leading to species decline and community impact is a key to successful implementation of these strategies. We emphasize the need to consider the nature of source and recipient populations, as well as associated risks and trade-offs for the various strategies. This overview highlights where strategies are likely to have potential at population, species, and ecosystem scales, but also where they should probably not be attempted depending on the overall aims of the intervention. We advocate an approach where short- and long-term strategies are integrated into a decision framework that also considers nongenetic aspects of management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ary A. Hoffmann
- School of BioSciencesBio21 InstituteThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Adam D. Miller
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesCentre for Integrative EcologyDeakin UniversityWarrnamboolVic.Australia
- Deakin Genomics CentreDeakin UniversityGeelongVic.Australia
| | - Andrew R. Weeks
- School of BioSciencesBio21 InstituteThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
- cesar Pty LtdParkvilleVic.Australia
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42
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Feiner N, Brun-Usan M, Uller T. Evolvability and evolutionary rescue. Evol Dev 2021; 23:308-319. [PMID: 33528902 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The survival prospects of threatened species or populations can sometimes be improved by adaptive change. Such evolutionary rescue is particularly relevant when the threat comes from changing environments, or when long-term population persistence requires range expansion into new habitats. Conservation biologists are therefore often interested in whether or not populations or lineages show a disposition for adaptive evolution, that is, if they are evolvable. Here, we discuss four alternative perspectives that target different causes of evolvability and outline some of the key challenges those perspectives are designed to address. Standing genetic variation provides one familiar estimate of evolvability. Yet, the mere presence of genetic variation is often insufficient to predict if a population will adapt, or how it will adapt. The reason is that adaptive change not only depends on genetic variation, but also on the extent to which this genetic variation can be realized as adaptive phenotypic variation. This requires attention to developmental systems and how plasticity influences evolutionary potential. Finally, we discuss how a better understanding of the different factors that contribute to evolvability can be exploited in conservation practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tobias Uller
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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43
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Chen L, Sun J, Jin P, Hoffmann AA, Bing X, Zhao D, Xue X, Hong X. Population genomic data in spider mites point to a role for local adaptation in shaping range shifts. Evol Appl 2020; 13:2821-2835. [PMID: 33294025 PMCID: PMC7691463 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Local adaptation is particularly likely in invertebrate pests that typically have short generation times and large population sizes, but there are few studies on pest species investigating local adaptation and separating this process from contemporaneous and historical gene flow. Here, we use a population genomic approach to investigate evolutionary processes in the two most dominant spider mites in China, Tetranychus truncatus Ehara and Tetranychus pueraricola Ehara et Gotoh, which have wide distributions, short generation times, and large population sizes. We generated genome resequencing of 246 spider mites mostly from China, as well as Japan and Canada at a combined total depth of 3,133×. Based on demographic reconstruction, we found that both mite species likely originated from refugia in southwestern China and then spread to other regions, with the dominant T. truncatus spreading ~3,000 years later than T. pueraricola. Estimated changes in population sizes of the pests matched known periods of glaciation and reinforce the recent expansion of the dominant spider mites. T. truncatus showed a greater extent of local adaptation with more genes (76 vs. 17) associated with precipitation, including candidates involved in regulation of homeostasis of water and ions, signal transduction, and motor skills. In both species, many genes (135 in T. truncatus and 95 in T. pueraricola) also showed signatures of selection related to elevation, including G-protein-coupled receptors, cytochrome P450s, and ABC-transporters. Our results point to historical expansion processes and climatic adaptation in these pests which could have contributed to their growing importance, particularly in the case of T. truncatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Department of EntomologyNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jing‐Tao Sun
- Department of EntomologyNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Peng‐Yu Jin
- Department of EntomologyNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ary A. Hoffmann
- Bio21 InstituteSchool of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Xiao‐Li Bing
- Department of EntomologyNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Dian‐Shu Zhao
- Department of EntomologyNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiao‐Feng Xue
- Department of EntomologyNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiao‐Yue Hong
- Department of EntomologyNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
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Asamizu E, Shirasawa K, Hirakawa H, Iwahori H. Root-knot nematode genetic diversity associated with host compatibility to sweetpotato cultivars. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2020; 21:1088-1098. [PMID: 32558191 PMCID: PMC7368124 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plant parasitic root-knot nematodes (RKN) such as Meloidogyne incognita cause significant crop losses worldwide. Although RKN are polyphagous, with wide host ranges, races with differing host compatibilities have evolved. Associations between genotype and infection phenotype in M. incognita have not yet been discovered. In this study, 48 M. incognita isolates were collected from geographically diverse fields in Japan and their genomes sequenced. The isolates exhibited various infection compatibilities to five sweetpotato (SP) cultivars and were assigned to SP races. Genome-wide association analysis identified 743 SNPs affecting gene coding sequences, a large number of which (575) were located on a single 1 Mb region. To examine how this polymorphic region evolved, nucleotide diversity (Pi) was scanned at the whole genome scale. The SNP-rich 1 Mb region exhibited high Pi values and was clearly associated with the SP races. SP1 and 2 races showed high Pi values in this region whereas the Pi values of SP3, 4, and 6 were low. Principal component analysis of isolates from this study and globally collected isolates showed selective divergence in this 1 Mb region. Our results suggest for the first time that the host could be a key determining factor stimulating the genomic divergence of M. incognita.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Asamizu
- Faculty of AgricultureRyukoku UniversityOtsuShigaJapan
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45
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Busck MM, Settepani V, Bechsgaard J, Lund MB, Bilde T, Schramm A. Microbiomes and Specific Symbionts of Social Spiders: Compositional Patterns in Host Species, Populations, and Nests. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1845. [PMID: 32849442 PMCID: PMC7412444 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Social spiders have remarkably low species-wide genetic diversities, potentially increasing the relative importance of microbial symbionts for host fitness. Here we explore the bacterial microbiomes of three species of social Stegodyphus (S. dumicola, S. mimosarum, and S. sarasinorum), within and between populations, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The microbiomes of the three spider species were distinct but shared similarities in membership and structure. This included low overall diversity (Shannon index 0.5–1.7), strong dominance of single symbionts in individual spiders (McNaughton’s dominance index 0.68–0.93), and a core microbiome (>50% prevalence) consisting of 5–7 specific symbionts. The most abundant and prevalent symbionts were classified as Chlamydiales, Borrelia, and Mycoplasma, all representing novel, presumably Stegodyphus-specific lineages. Borrelia- and Mycoplasma-like symbionts were localized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the spider midgut. The microbiomes of individual spiders were highly similar within nests but often very different between nests from the same population, with only the microbiome of S. sarasinorum consistently reflecting host population structure. The weak population pattern in microbiome composition renders microbiome-facilitated local adaptation unlikely. However, the retention of specific symbionts across populations and species may indicate a recurrent acquisition from environmental vectors or an essential symbiotic contribution to spider phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Marie Busck
- Section for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Virginia Settepani
- Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jesper Bechsgaard
- Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marie Braad Lund
- Section for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Trine Bilde
- Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andreas Schramm
- Section for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Papachristou D, Koutsouli P, Laliotis GP, Kunz E, Upadhyay M, Seichter D, Russ I, Gjoko B, Kostaras N, Bizelis I, Medugorac I. Genomic diversity and population structure of the indigenous Greek and Cypriot cattle populations. Genet Sel Evol 2020; 52:43. [PMID: 32727375 PMCID: PMC7391618 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-020-00560-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The indigenous cattle populations from Greece and Cyprus have decreased to small numbers and are currently at risk of extinction due to socio-economic reasons, geographic isolation and crossbreeding with commercial breeds. This study represents the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of 10 indigenous cattle populations from continental Greece and the Greek islands, and one from Cyprus, and compares them with 104 international breeds using more than 46,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Results We estimated several parameters of genetic diversity (e.g. heterozygosity and allelic diversity) that indicated a severe loss of genetic diversity for the island populations compared to the mainland populations, which is mainly due to the declining size of their population in recent years and subsequent inbreeding. This high inbreeding status also resulted in higher genetic differentiation within the Greek and Cyprus cattle group compared to the remaining geographical breed groups. Supervised and unsupervised cluster analyses revealed that the phylogenetic patterns in the indigenous Greek breeds were consistent with their geographical origin and historical information regarding crosses with breeds of Anatolian or Balkan origin. Cyprus cattle showed a relatively high indicine ancestry. Greek island populations are placed close to the root of the tree as defined by Gir and the outgroup Yak, whereas the mainland breeds share a common historical origin with Buša. Unsupervised clustering and D-statistics analyses provided strong support for Bos indicus introgression in almost all the investigated local cattle breeds along the route from Anatolia up to the southern foothills of the Alps, as well as in most cattle breeds along the Apennine peninsula to the southern foothills of the Alps. Conclusions All investigated Cyprus and Greek breeds present complex mosaic genomes as a result of historical and recent admixture events between neighbor and well-separated breeds. While the contribution of some mainland breeds to the genetic diversity pool seems important, some island and fragmented mainland breeds suffer from a severe decline of population size and loss of alleles due to genetic drift. Conservation programs that are a compromise between what is feasible and what is desirable should focus not only on the still highly diverse mainland breeds but also promote and explore the conservation possibilities for island breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Papachristou
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Production, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Koutsouli
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Production, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Laliotis
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Production, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Kunz
- Population Genomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Maulik Upadhyay
- Population Genomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Doris Seichter
- Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586, Poing, Germany
| | - Ingolf Russ
- Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586, Poing, Germany
| | - Bunevski Gjoko
- Livestock Department, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food Institute of Animal Biotechnology, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, 16-ta Makedonska Brigada 3, 1000, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Nikolaos Kostaras
- AMALTHIA, Network for the Protection of Greek Indigenous Farm Animals, 51 Argyrokastrou, 15669, Athens, Greece
| | - Iosif Bizelis
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Production, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855, Athens, Greece
| | - Ivica Medugorac
- Population Genomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, 82152, Martinsried, Germany.
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47
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Kamalakkannan R, Bhavana K, Prabhu VR, Sureshgopi D, Singha HS, Nagarajan M. The complete mitochondrial genome of Indian gaur, Bos gaurus and its phylogenetic implications. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11936. [PMID: 32686769 PMCID: PMC7371690 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68724-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The gaur is the largest extant cattle species and distributed across South and Southeast Asia. Around 85% of its current global population resides in India, however there has been a gradual decrease in the gaur population over the last two decades due to various anthropogenic activities. Mitochondrial genome is considered as an important tool for species identification and monitoring the populations of conservation concern and therefore it becomes an obligation to sequence the mitochondrial genome of Indian gaur. We report here for the first time 16,345 bp mitochondrial genome of four Indian gaur sequenced using two different approaches. Mitochondrial genome consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. Among the 37 genes, 28 were positioned on the H-strand and 9 were positioned on the L-strand. The overall base composition appeared to be 33.5% A, 27.2% T, 25.9% C and 13.4% G, which yielded a higher AT content. The phylogenetic analysis using complete mitochondrial genome sequences unambiguously suggested that gaur is the maternal ancestor of domestic mithun. Moreover, it also clearly distinguished the three sub species of B. gaurus i.e. B. gaurus gaurus, B. gaurus readei and B. gaurus hubbacki. Among the three sub species, B. gaurus gaurus was genetically closer to B. gaurus readei as compared to B. gaurus hubbacki. The findings of our study provide an insight into the genetic structure and evolutionary history of Indian gaur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranganathan Kamalakkannan
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Karippadakam Bhavana
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Vandana R Prabhu
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Dhandapani Sureshgopi
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Hijam Surachandra Singha
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Muniyandi Nagarajan
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India.
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48
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Fischer K, Kreyling J, Beaulieu M, Beil I, Bog M, Bonte D, Holm S, Knoblauch S, Koch D, Muffler L, Mouginot P, Paulinich M, Scheepens JF, Schiemann R, Schmeddes J, Schnittler M, Uhl G, van der Maaten-Theunissen M, Weier JM, Wilmking M, Weigel R, Gienapp P. Species-specific effects of thermal stress on the expression of genetic variation across a diverse group of plant and animal taxa under experimental conditions. Heredity (Edinb) 2020; 126:23-37. [PMID: 32632284 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-020-0338-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing the genetic adaptive potential of populations and species is essential for better understanding evolutionary processes. However, the expression of genetic variation may depend on environmental conditions, which may speed up or slow down evolutionary responses. Thus, the same selection pressure may lead to different responses. Against this background, we here investigate the effects of thermal stress on genetic variation, mainly under controlled laboratory conditions. We estimated additive genetic variance (VA), narrow-sense heritability (h2) and the coefficient of genetic variation (CVA) under both benign control and stressful thermal conditions. We included six species spanning a diverse range of plant and animal taxa, and a total of 25 morphological and life-history traits. Our results show that (1) thermal stress reduced fitness components, (2) the majority of traits showed significant genetic variation and that (3) thermal stress affected the expression of genetic variation (VA, h2 or CVA) in only one-third of the cases (25 of 75 analyses, mostly in one clonal species). Moreover, the effects were highly species-specific, with genetic variation increasing in 11 and decreasing in 14 cases under stress. Our results hence indicate that thermal stress does not generally affect the expression of genetic variation under laboratory conditions but, nevertheless, increases or decreases genetic variation in specific cases. Consequently, predicting the rate of genetic adaptation might not be generally complicated by environmental variation, but requires a careful case-by-case consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Fischer
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Kreyling
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michaël Beaulieu
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ilka Beil
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Manuela Bog
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dries Bonte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Holm
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sabine Knoblauch
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dustin Koch
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lena Muffler
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Pierick Mouginot
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maria Paulinich
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - J F Scheepens
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Raijana Schiemann
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmeddes
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Schnittler
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gabriele Uhl
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marieke van der Maaten-Theunissen
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Chair of Forest Growth and Woody Biomass Production, TU Dresden, Tharandt, Germany
| | - Julia M Weier
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Wilmking
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Robert Weigel
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Phillip Gienapp
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Michael-Otto-Institut im NABU, Bergenhusen, Germany
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