Purging and accumulation of genetic load in conservation

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(10), P. 961 - 969

Published: June 19, 2023

Our ability to assess the threat posed by genetic load small and declining populations has been greatly improved advances in genome sequencing computational approaches. Yet, considerable confusion remains around definitions of its dynamics, how they impact individual fitness population viability. We illustrate both selective purging drift affect distribution deleterious mutations during size decline recovery. show this impacts composition load, affects extinction risk recovery potential populations. propose a framework examine dynamics advocate for introduction estimates management endangered

Language: Английский

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The impact of habitat loss and population fragmentation on genomic erosion

Conservation Genetics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25(1), P. 49 - 57

Published: Aug. 8, 2023

Abstract Habitat loss and population fragmentation pose severe threats to biodiversity the survival of many species. Population isolation decline in effective size lead increased genetic drift inbreeding. In turn, this reduces neutral diversity, it also affects load deleterious mutations. Here, we analyse effect such genomic erosion by designing a spatially explicit, individual based model SLiM, simulating effects recorded habitat Mauritius over past ~ 250 years. We show that diversity (genome-wide heterozygosity) was barely noticeable during first 100 years loss. Changes took even more time register, they only became apparent circa 200 after start decline. Although considerable number mutations were lost drift, others frequency. The masked thus converted into realised load, which compromised fitness viability much native had been lost. Importantly, continued metapopulation stabilised at low numbers. Our study shows historic can sustained threat populations future generations, without further UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration needs transformative change save species from extinction, requires urgent restoration natural habitats.

Language: Английский

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Genomics‐informed captive breeding can reduce inbreeding depression and the genetic load in zoo populations

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(7)

Published: May 10, 2024

Abstract Zoo populations of threatened species are a valuable resource for the restoration wild populations. However, their small effective population size poses risk to long‐term viability, especially in with high genetic load. Recent bioinformatic developments can identify harmful variants genome data. Here, we advance this approach, analysing load pink pigeon ( Nesoenas mayeri ). We lifted mutation‐impact scores that had been calculated chicken Gallus gallus ) estimate six pigeons. Additionally, perform silico crossings predict and realized potential offspring. thus optimal mate pairs theoretically expected produce offspring least inbreeding depression. use computer simulations show how genomics‐informed conservation reduce whilst reducing loss genome‐wide diversity. Genomics‐informed management is likely become instrumental maintaining viability zoo

Language: Английский

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Genomic erosion in a demographically recovered bird species during conservation rescue

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 36(4)

Published: May 12, 2022

The pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) is an endemic species of Mauritius that has made a remarkable recovery after severe population bottleneck in the 1970s to early 1990s. Prior this bottleneck, ex situ was established from which captive-bred individuals were released into free-living subpopulations increase size and genetic variation. This conservation rescue led rapid 400-480 individuals, twice downlisted on International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN) Red List. We analyzed impacts neutral variation during (1993-2008) with restriction site-associated sequencing, microsatellite analyses, quantitative analysis studbook data 1112 birds zoos Europe United States. used computer simulations study predicted changes viability past future. Genetic declined rapidly, despite rebound, effective approximately order magnitude smaller than census size. carried high load circa 15 lethal equivalents longevity. Our continued inbreeding will likely result increased expression deleterious mutations (i.e., realized load) depression. Without actions, it go extinct wild within 100 years. been instrumental population. However, further required recover lost variation, reduce harmful prevent extinction. use genomics modeling can inform IUCN assessments extinction risk species, helps dependency populations.

Language: Английский

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Real‐time genomics for One Health

Molecular Systems Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(8)

Published: June 16, 2023

The ongoing degradation of natural systems and other environmental changes has put our society at a crossroad with respect to future relationship planet. While the concept One Health describes how human health is inextricably linked health, many these complex interdependencies are still not well-understood. Here, we describe advent real-time genomic analyses can benefit it enable timely, in-depth ecosystem assessments. We introduce nanopore sequencing as only disruptive technology that currently allows for already being used worldwide improve accessibility versatility sequencing. showcase studies on zoonotic disease, food security, microbiome, emerging pathogens, their antimicrobial resistances, itself - from resource creation wildlife conservation monitoring biodiversity, invasive species, trafficking. stress why equitable access genomics in context will be paramount discuss related practical, legal, ethical limitations.

Language: Английский

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Genomic Diversity as a Key Conservation Criterion: Proof‐of‐Concept From Mammalian Whole‐Genome Resequencing Data

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT Many international, national, state, and local organizations prioritize the ranking of threatened endangered species to help direct conservation efforts. For example, International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN) assesses Green Status publishes influential Red List species. Unfortunately, such yardsticks do not explicitly consider genetic or genomic diversity (GD), even though GD is positively associated with contemporary evolutionary fitness, individual viability, future potential. To test whether populations genome sequences could improve assessments, we estimated metrics from 82 publicly available mammalian datasets examined their statistical association attributes related conservation. We also considered intrinsic biological factors, including trophic level body mass, that impact quantified relative influences. Our results identify key population are both reflective predictive IUCN categories. Specifically, our analyses revealed Watterson's theta (the mutation rate) autozygosity (a product inbreeding) current categorization, likely because demographic declines lead “listing” decisions reduce levels standing variation. argue by virtue this relationship, like leverage emerging sequence data categorize threat rankings (especially in otherwise data‐deficient species) and/or enhance assessments establish a baseline monitoring. Thus, paper (1) outlines theoretical empirical justification new GD‐based assessment criterion, (2) provides bioinformatic pipeline estimating data, (3) suggests an analytical framework can be used measure while providing quantitative context consideration authorities.

Language: Английский

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Genomic erosion in the assessment of species extinction risk and recovery potential

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 15, 2022

Abstract Many species are facing unprecedented population size declines and deterioration of their environment. This exposes to genomic erosion, which we define here as the damage inflicted a species’ genome or gene pool due loss genetic diversity, an increase in expressed load, maladaptation, and/or introgression. The International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN) bases its extinction risk assessments on direct threats habitat. However, it does not assess long-term impacts hence, is likely underestimate many species. High-quality whole sequence data that currently being generated could help improve assessments. Genomic contains information about past demography, genome-wide incidence introgression, well load deleterious mutations. Computer modelling these enables forecasting trajectories under different management scenarios. In this Perspective, discuss posed by erosion. Using evolutionary simulations, argue provides critical assessing recovery potential Genomics-informed complement IUCN Red List, such genomics-informed conservation invaluable guiding programs UN’s Decade Ecosystem Restoration beyond.

Language: Английский

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Mind the lag: understanding genetic extinction debt for conservation

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Optimal Weight Loss of Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) Eggs During Incubation

Zoo Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 12, 2025

ABSTRACT Incubation of pink pigeon ( Nesoenas mayeri ) eggs under foster doves is an important element the captive breeding program for this threatened species, and determining optimal species‐specific incubation conditions could help to maximize hatchability. We analyzed 7 years records n = 104 eggs) from a collection investigate whether existing guideline total weight loss 15% appropriate pigeon. Successfully hatched lost on average 14% their initial mass during incubation, while 15.5% was associated with embryo mortality, successful slightly less per day, both as raw percentage fresh weight. Eggs weighing at least 14 g laying were significantly more likely hatch than lighter eggs, indicating that low may be most useful predictor death in pigeons.

Language: Английский

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Time-lagged genomic erosion and future environmental risks in a bird on the brink of extinction

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2043)

Published: March 1, 2025

Global biodiversity is rapidly declining due to habitat degradation and genomic erosion, highlighting the urgent need monitor endangered species their genetic health. Temporal genomics ecological modelling offer finer resolution than single-time-point measurements, providing a comprehensive view of species’ recent future trajectories. We investigated erosion environmental suitability in critically regent honeyeater ( Anthochaera phrygia ) by sequencing whole genomes historical modern specimens building multi-temporal distribution models (SDMs) across last century. The has declined from hundreds thousands individuals fewer 300 over past 100 years. SDMs correctly predicted known patterns local extinction southeast Australia. Our demographic reconstructions revealed gradual population decline 2000 2500 years ago, sharply accelerating 500 climate variability loss. Despite this substantial collapse, lost only 9% its diversity, with no evidence inbreeding or connectivity Also, it exhibits higher diversity many other threatened bird species. Forward-in-time simulations indicate that time lag between loss conceals risk ongoing into degrading suitability. work underscores for targeted conservation efforts continuous monitoring prevent extinction.

Language: Английский

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