Evolutionary Applications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
17(12)
Published: Dec. 1, 2024
ABSTRACT
The
reduced
genetic
diversity
and
frequent
inbreeding
associated
with
small
population
size
may
underpin
the
accumulation
expression
of
deleterious
mutations
(mutation
load)
in
some
declining
populations.
However,
demographic
perturbations
coupled
purifying
selection
can
also
purge
populations
mutations,
leading
to
intriguing
recoveries.
To
better
understand
links
between
variation
status,
we
assess
patterns
diversity,
inbreeding,
mutation
load
across
genomes
three
species
Balaenidae
whale
different
histories
recoveries
following
end
commercial
whaling
1980s.
Unlike
bowhead
(BH)
Southern
right
whales
(SRW),
which
show
signs
recent
recovery,
reproductive
rates
endangered
North
Atlantic
(NARW)
remain
lower
than
expected.
We
that
NARW
is
currently
marked
by
low
historical
a
high
load.
Still,
reveal
evidence
purging
has
frequency
highly
alleles
NARW,
could
increase
chances
future
recovery.
identify
suite
putatively
linked
congenital
defects
occur
at
frequencies
nulliparous
females
but
are
rare
success.
These
same
nearly
absent
BH
SRW
this
study,
suggesting
key
variants
shape
probability
As
anthropogenic
disturbances
continue
reduce
sizes
many
nature,
resolving
dynamics
become
increasingly
important.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
119(11)
Published: March 1, 2022
SignificanceThe
dynamics
of
deleterious
variation
under
contrasting
demographic
scenarios
remain
poorly
understood
in
spite
their
relevance
evolutionary
and
conservation
terms.
Here
we
apply
a
genomic
approach
to
study
differences
the
burden
alleles
between
endangered
Iberian
lynx
(Lynx
pardinus)
widespread
Eurasian
lynx).
Our
analysis
unveils
significantly
lower
former
species
that
should
be
ascribed
genetic
purging,
is,
increased
opportunities
selection
against
recessive
homozygotes
due
inbreeding
caused
by
its
smaller
population
size,
as
illustrated
our
analytical
predictions.
This
research
provides
theoretical
empirical
evidence
on
purging
certain
conditions.
Molecular Biology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
40(2)
Published: Feb. 1, 2023
Island
ecosystems
provide
natural
laboratories
to
assess
the
impacts
of
isolation
on
population
persistence.
However,
most
studies
persistence
have
focused
a
single
species,
without
comparisons
other
organisms
they
interact
with
in
ecosystem.
The
case
study
moose
and
gray
wolves
Isle
Royale
allows
for
direct
contrast
genetic
variation
isolated
populations
that
experienced
dramatically
differing
trajectories
over
past
decade.
Whereas
wolf
recently
declined
nearly
extinction
due
severe
inbreeding
depression,
has
thrived
continues
persist,
despite
having
low
diversity
being
∼120
years.
Here,
we
examine
patterns
genomic
underlying
continued
population.
We
document
high
levels
population,
roughly
as
at
time
its
decline.
manifests
form
intermediate-length
runs
homozygosity
suggestive
historical
purging,
contrasting
long
observed
smaller
Using
simulations,
confirm
substantial
purging
likely
occurred
also
notable
increases
load,
which
could
eventually
threaten
viability
term.
Overall,
our
results
demonstrate
complex
relationship
between
inbreeding,
diversity,
highlights
use
datasets
computational
simulation
tools
understanding
factors
enabling
populations.
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
32(7), P. 1567 - 1580
Published: Dec. 2, 2022
Abstract
When
new
mutations
arise
at
functional
sites
they
are
more
likely
to
impair
than
improve
fitness.
If
not
removed
by
purifying
selection,
such
deleterious
will
generate
a
genetic
load
that
can
have
negative
fitness
effects
in
small
populations
and
increase
the
risk
of
extinction.
This
is
relevant
for
highly
inbred
Scandinavian
wolf
(
Canis
lupus
)
population,
founded
only
three
wolves
1980s
suffering
from
inbreeding
depression.
We
used
annotation
evolutionary
conservation
scores
study
variation
total
209
genomes
both
neighbouring
northern
Europe.
The
masked
(deleterious
heterozygote
state)
was
highest
Russia
Finland
with
alleles
segregating
lower
frequency
neutral
variation.
Genetic
drift
population
led
loss
ancestral
alleles,
fixation
variants
significant
per‐individual
realized
homozygote
state;
an
45%
protein‐coding
genes)
over
five
generations
inbreeding.
Arrival
immigrants
gave
temporary
rescue
effect
re‐entering
thereby
shifting
homozygous
into
genotypes.
However,
absence
permanent
connectivity
Finnish
Russian
populations,
has
then
again
exposure
mutations.
These
observations
provide
genome‐wide
insight
magnitude
molecular
level,
relation
history.
They
emphasize
importance
securing
gene
flow
management
endangered
populations.
Biodiversity and Conservation,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
31(11), P. 2763 - 2780
Published: July 11, 2022
Abstract
The
establishment
of
the
minimum
size
for
a
viable
population
(MVP)
has
been
used
as
guidance
in
conservation
practice
to
determine
extinction
risks
populations
and
species.
A
consensus
MVP
rule
50/500
individuals
attained,
according
which
effective
N
e
=
50
is
needed
avoid
due
inbreeding
depression
short
term,
500
survive
long
term.
However,
large
loads
(
B
)
usually
found
nature,
well
consideration
selection
affecting
genetic
diversity,
have
led
suggestion
that
those
numbers
should
be
doubled
(100/1000).
Purging
deleterious
mutations
can
also
main
factor
suggested
rules.
In
previous
simulation
study,
reduction
by
action
purging
pointed
towards
an
intermediate
between
two
rules
term
survival.
Here,
we
focused
on
consequences
MVPs
We
performed
computer
simulations
under
purging,
drift,
new
mutation,
environmental
effects
fitness
investigate
times
loss
diversity
range
sizes.
Our
results
indicate
reduce
persist
with
estimates
close
species
moderately
reproductive
rates.
values
appear
at
least
1000
when
species´
rates
are
low.
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
32(8), P. 1972 - 1989
Published: Jan. 27, 2023
Genomes
retain
evidence
of
the
demographic
history
and
evolutionary
forces
that
have
shaped
populations
drive
speciation.
Across
island
systems,
contemporary
patterns
genetic
diversity
reflect
population
demography,
including
colonization
events,
bottlenecks,
gene
flow
drift.
Here,
we
investigate
genome-wide
distribution
runs
homozygosity
(ROH)
using
whole-genome
resequencing
individuals
(>22×
coverage)
from
six
across
three
archipelagos
Berthelot's
pipit
(Anthus
berthelotii)-a
passerine
has
recently
undergone
We
show
most
dramatic
reduction
in
occurs
between
mainland
sister
species
(the
tawny
pipit)
is
lowest
experienced
sequential
bottlenecks
(i.e.,
Madeiran
Selvagens
populations).
Pairwise
Markovian
coalescent
(PSMC)
analyses
estimated
diverged
its
~2
million
years
ago,
with
archipelago
founded
50,000
colonized
8000
ago.
identify
many
long
ROH
(>1
Mb)
these
populations.
Population
expansion
within
last
100
may
eroded
archipelago,
resulting
a
prevalence
short
(<1
Mb).
However,
extensive
detected
suggest
strong
recent
inbreeding
bottleneck
effects,
as
much
38%
autosomes
consisting
>250
kb.
These
findings
highlight
importance
history,
well
selection
drift,
shaping
genomic
diverging
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
33(9)
Published: April 5, 2024
Abstract
Wildlife
populations
are
becoming
increasingly
fragmented
by
anthropogenic
development.
Small
and
isolated
often
face
an
elevated
risk
of
extinction,
in
part
due
to
inbreeding
depression.
Here,
we
examine
the
genomic
consequences
urbanization
a
caracal
(
Caracal
)
population
that
has
become
Cape
Peninsula
region
City
Town,
South
Africa,
is
thought
number
~50
individuals.
We
document
low
levels
migration
into
over
past
~75
years,
with
estimated
rate
1.3
effective
migrants
per
generation.
As
consequence
this
isolation
small
size,
contemporary
(mean
F
ROH
=
0.20).
Inbreeding
primarily
manifests
as
long
runs
homozygosity
>10
Mb,
consistent
effects
rapid
recent
growth
Town.
To
explore
how
reduced
may
impact
future
dynamics,
parameterized
eco‐evolutionary
simulation
model.
find
if
rates
do
not
change
future,
expected
decline,
though
projected
extinction.
However,
decline
or
mortality
increase,
potential
extinction
greatly
elevated.
avert
suggest
translocating
initiate
genetic
rescue
be
warranted
near
future.
Our
analysis
highlights
utility
datasets
coupled
computational
models
for
investigating
influence
gene
flow
on
viability.
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: July 30, 2024
Abstract
Genetic
rescue—an
increase
in
population
fitness
following
the
introduction
of
new
alleles—has
been
proven
to
ameliorate
inbreeding
depression
small,
isolated
populations,
yet
is
rarely
applied
as
a
conservation
tool.
A
lingering
question
regarding
genetic
rescue
wildlife
how
long
beneficial
effects
persist
admixed
populations.
Using
data
collected
over
40
years
from
1192
endangered
Florida
panthers
(
Puma
concolor
coryi
)
across
nine
generations,
we
show
that
experimental
implemented
1995—via
release
eight
female
pumas
Texas—alleviated
morphological,
genetic,
and
demographic
correlates
depression,
subsequently
preventing
extirpation
population.
We
present
unequivocal
evidence,
for
first
time
any
terrestrial
vertebrate,
phenotypic
benefits
remain
this
after
five
generations
admixture,
which
helped
panther
abundance
(>
fivefold)
effective
size
20-fold).
Additionally,
even
with
extensive
microsatellite
allele
frequencies
continue
support
distinctness
other
North
American
puma
including
Texas.
Although
threats
habitat
loss,
human-wildlife
conflict,
infectious
diseases
are
challenges
many
imperiled
our
results
suggest
can
serve
an
effective,
multi-generational
tool
populations
facing
extinction
inbreeding.
The American Naturalist,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
202(6), P. 737 - 752
Published: July 17, 2023
AbstractDeleterious
genetic
variation
is
abundant
in
wild
populations,
and
understanding
the
ecological
conservation
implications
of
such
an
area
active
research.
Genomic
methods
are
increasingly
used
to
quantify
impacts
deleterious
natural
populations;
however,
these
approaches
remain
limited
by
inability
accurately
predict
selective
dominance
effects
mutations.
Computational
simulations
offer
a
complementary
tool
that
can
help
overcome
limitations,
although
have
yet
be
widely
employed.
In
this
perspective
article,
we
aim
encourage
genomics
researchers
adopt
greater
use
computational
aid
deepening
our
populations.
We
first
provide
overview
components
simulation
variation,
describing
key
parameters
involved
models.
Next,
discuss
several
for
validating
Finally,
compare
validate
recently
proposed
mutation
models,
demonstrating
models
based
on
estimates
selection
from
experimental
systems
biased
toward
highly
describe
new
model
supported
multiple
orthogonal
lines
evidence
example
scripts
implementing
(https://github.com/ckyriazis/simulations_review).
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Aug. 15, 2022
Abstract
Small
and
isolated
wildlife
populations
face
numerous
threats
to
extinction,
among
which
is
the
deterioration
of
fitness
due
an
accumulation
deleterious
genetic
variation.
Genomic
tools
are
increasingly
used
quantify
impacts
variation
in
small
populations;
however,
these
approaches
remain
limited
by
inability
accurately
predict
selective
dominance
effects
individual
mutations.
Computational
simulations
offer
alternative
complementary
tool
that
can
help
overcome
limitations,
though
such
have
yet
be
widely
employed.
In
this
Perspective,
we
aim
encourage
conservation
genomics
researchers
adopt
greater
use
computational
aid
quantifying
predicting
threat
poses
extinction.
We
first
provide
overview
components
a
simulation
variation,
describing
key
parameters
involved
models.
Next,
clarify
several
misconceptions
about
essential
parameter,
distribution
(DFE)
new
mutations,
review
recent
debates
over
what
most
appropriate
DFE
are.
conclude
comparing
modern
those
long
been
employed
population
viability
analysis,
weighing
pros
cons
‘genomics-informed’
approach,
discussing
areas
for
future
research.
Our
Perspective
will
facilitate
broader
genomics,
enabling
deeper
understanding
biodiversity.