Inadvertent human genomic bycatch and intentional capture raise beneficial applications and ethical concerns with environmental DNA

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(6), P. 873 - 888

Published: May 15, 2023

The field of environmental DNA (eDNA) is advancing rapidly, yet human eDNA applications remain underutilized and underconsidered. Broader adoption analysis will produce many well-recognized benefits for pathogen surveillance, biodiversity monitoring, endangered invasive species detection, population genetics. Here we show that deep-sequencing-based approaches capture genomic information from humans (Homo sapiens) just as readily the intended target species. We term this phenomenon genetic bycatch (HGB). Additionally, high-quality could be intentionally recovered substrates (water, sand air), holding promise beneficial medical, forensic applications. However, also raises ethical dilemmas, consent, privacy surveillance to data ownership, requiring further consideration potentially novel regulation. present evidence detectable 'wildlife' samples bycatch, demonstrate identifiable can human-focused sampling discuss translational implications such findings.

Language: Английский

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Key issues in assessing threats to sea turtles: knowledge gaps and future directions

Endangered Species Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 52, P. 303 - 341

Published: Sept. 20, 2023

Sea turtles are an iconic group of marine megafauna that have been exposed to multiple anthropogenic threats across their different life stages, especially in the past decades. This has resulted population declines, and consequently many sea turtle populations now classified as threatened or endangered globally. Although some worldwide showing early signs recovery, still face fundamental threats. is problematic since important ecological roles. To encourage informed conservation planning direct future research, we surveyed experts identify key contemporary (climate change, take, fisheries, pollution, disease, predation, coastal development) faced by turtles. Using survey results current literature, also outline knowledge gaps our understanding impact these how targeted often involving emerging technologies, could close those gaps.

Language: Английский

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Genomic insights into marine environment adaptation and conservation of the threatened olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

iScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(2), P. 111776 - 111776

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

Sea turtles are marine flagship species and most of them currently in a threatened state. Long-term surviving the ocean has driven significant morphological physiological changes for this group, which makes an ideal model studying adaptive evolution environments. Herein, we present chromosome-scale genome Lepidochelys olivacea with size 2.22 Gb contig N50 97.3 Mb. Comparative genomic analyses uncovered suite genes related to olfaction, vision, virus defense, longevity, may help explain genetic underpinnings its environment adaptation. We also observed that genome-wide heterozygosity L. was low (6.45e-4), consistent prolonged population decline. Overall, our study provides valuable resources understanding evolutionary adaptations aquatic conservation species.

Language: Английский

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4. New approaches to conserving endangered sea turtles

Open Book Publishers, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 45 - 72

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

Dana K Briscoe, Bianca S. Santos, Calandra N Turner Tomaszewicz, and Larry B Crowder, characterize emerging approaches to conserving endangered sea turtles across the globe. Sea have declined due direct harvest from eggs adults, loss of nesting habitat, bycatch in fisheries. Researchers globally developed an extensive tool-kit address dramatic declines turtles, focused conservation actions based on detailed understanding life histories spatial dynamics leading some success recovering species, such as Kemp’s ridley. This chapter describes those successes illuminates remaining challenges.

Language: Английский

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Evolution of vertebrate olfactory receptor repertoires and their function

Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 61, P. 101483 - 101483

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Leveraging Synteny to Generate Reference Genomes for Conservation: Assembling the Genomes of Hector's and Māui Dolphins

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 4, 2025

Escalating concern regarding the impacts of reduced genetic diversity on conservation endangered species has spurred efforts to obtain chromosome-level genomes through consortia such as Vertebrate Genomes Project. However, assembling reference for many threatened remains challenging due difficulties obtaining optimal input samples (e.g., fresh tissue, cell lines) that can characterise long-term collections. Here, we present a pipeline leverages genome synteny construct high-quality despite less-than-optimal and/or sequencing data, demonstrating its use Hector's and Māui dolphins. These endemic New Zealand dolphins are by human activities their coastal habitat small population sizes. classified IUCN, while dolphin is among most critically marine mammals. To assemble these dolphins, created combining de novo assembly tools with reference-guided techniques, utilising closely related species. The assembled highly contiguous (scaffold N50: 110 MB, scaffold L50: 9, miniBUSCO completeness scores > 96.35%), non-optimal tissue samples. We demonstrate provide insights relevant conservation, including historical demography revealing sizes, subspecies divergence occurring ~20 kya, potentially linked Last Glacial Maximum. heterozygosity was 40% lower than comparable other cetacean noted diversity. Through exemplar genomes, our genomic resources facilitate ongoing genomics research.

Language: Английский

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Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides mediate immune protection in marsupial neonates

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11(16)

Published: April 16, 2025

Marsupial neonates are born with immature immune systems, making them vulnerable to pathogens. While receive maternal protection, they can also independently combat pathogens, although the mechanisms remain unknown. Using sugar glider ( Petaurus breviceps ) as a model, we investigated immunological defense strategies of marsupial neonates. Cathelicidins—a family antimicrobial peptides expanded in genomes marsupials—are highly expressed developing neutrophils. Sugar cathelicidins reside two genomic clusters, and their coordinated expression is achieved by enhancer sharing within clusters long-range physical interactions between clusters. Functionally, modulate responses have potent antibacterial effects, sufficient provide protection mouse model sepsis. Evolutionarily, complex history, marsupials monotremes uniquely retaining both among tetrapods. Thus, critical mediators immunity, evolution may reflect life history–specific needs these animals.

Language: Английский

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Green Turtle Conservation in the Genomic Era—Monitoring an Endangered Mediterranean Population and Its Breeding Habits

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT The Mediterranean Sea green turtle population, confined to the eastern basin, is classified as endangered by IUCN. small Israeli nesting population significantly contributes genetic variability of underscoring importance shores a key migration route. rescue center has established only active breeding stock in Mediterranean, with considerable time and effort invested its inception operation. Here, we present new genomic approach aimed at maximizing this population's contribution Mediterranean. We studied 269 turtles from both natural using mitochondrial DNA short tandem repeat (STR) haplotyping double‐digest RAD sequencing. Our analysis identified multiple degrees kinship among individuals aided detecting female habits. analyzed 84 nests laid along over past 20 years 60 mating events involving 35 females. By incorporating females previous studies, estimate that least 51 have nested coastline during period—a number higher than earlier estimates. Furthermore, 59 males participated these events, highlighting greater‐than‐expected level diversity within population. confirmed documented reproductive behaviors such sperm conservation paternity. Additionally, determined intervals between years. While our results supported well‐documented philopatric characteristics females, they also revealed some eggs up 90 km apart. This genomic‐assisted evaluation offers crucial insights into habits providing valuable model for efforts across region.

Language: Английский

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A systematic review of the impact of chemical pollution on sea turtles: insights from biomarkers of aquatic contamination

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 135813 - 135813

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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A chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of the desert horned lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos, provides insight into chromosomal rearrangements among reptiles

GigaScience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Abstract Background The increasing number of chromosome-level genome assemblies has advanced our knowledge and understanding macroevolutionary processes. Here, we introduce the desert horned lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos, an iguanid lizard occupying extreme conditions American southwest. We conduct analysis chromosomal structure composition this species compare these features across genomes 12 other reptiles (5 lizards, 3 snakes, turtles, 1 bird). Findings was sequenced using Illumina paired-end reads assembled scaffolded Dovetail Genomics Hi-C Chicago long-range contact data. resulting assembly a total length 1,901.85 Mb, scaffold N50 273.213 includes 5,294 scaffolds. is composed 6 macrochromosomes 11 microchromosomes. A 20,764 genes were annotated in assembly. GC content gene density are higher for microchromosomes than macrochromosomes, while repeat element distributions show opposite trend. Pathway analyses provide preliminary evidence that microchromosome macrochromosome functionally distinct. Synteny indicates large blocks conserved among closely related species, whereas frequent fusion fission events reptiles, even between species. Conclusions Our results demonstrate dynamic karyotypic evolution Reptilia, with inferred splits, fusions, rearrangements have resulted shuffling also new distinct within reptiles.

Language: Английский

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