Whole‐Genome Evaluation of Genetic Rescue: The Case of a Curiously Isolated and Endangered Butterfly

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

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Genetic rescue, or the translocation of individuals among populations to augment gene flow, can help ameliorate inbreeding depression and loss adaptive potential in small isolated populations. rescue is currently under consideration for an endangered butterfly Canada, Half-moon Hairstreak (Satyrium semiluna). A small, unique population persists Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, from other by more than 400 km. However, whether genetic would actually be helpful has not been evaluated. Here, we generate first chromosome-level genome assembly whole-genome resequence data species. We find that Alberta maintains extremely low diversity genetically very divergent nearest British Columbia Montana. Runs homozygosity suggest this due a long history inbreeding, coalescent analyses show isolated, yet stable, up 40k years. When like its viability despite diversity, it likely undergone purging deleterious recessive alleles could threatened reintroduction such via rescue. Ecological niche modelling indicates also exhibits environmental associations are atypical Together, these evolutionary ecological divergences crosses may result outbreeding depression. therefore infer relatively harmful rather at present. because reduced potential, still benefit future as climate habitat conditions change. Proactive experimental should completed assess reproductive compatibility progeny fitness.

Language: Английский

---

Sexual selection matters in genetic rescue, but productivity benefits fade over time: a multi-generation experiment to inform conservation

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2039)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Globally, many species are threatened by population decline because of anthropogenic changes leading to fragmentation, genetic isolation and inbreeding depression. Genetic rescue, the controlled introduction variation, is a method used relieve such effects in small populations. However, without understanding how characteristics rescuers impact rescue attempts interventions run risk being sub-optimal, or even counterproductive. We use red flour beetle ( Tribolium castaneum ) test rescuer sex, sexual selection background, on productivity. record productivity 24 36 replicated populations for ten generations following intervention. find little no sex efficacy but show that background elevated makes individuals more effective rescuers. In both experiments, diminish 6–10 after rescue. Our results confirm can be influenced level rescuing an important factor. any increase fitness associated with may last limited number generations, suggesting implications conservation policy practice.

Language: Английский

---

Genome-Assisted Gene-Flow Rescued Genetic Diversity Without Hindering Growth Performance in an Inbred Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Population Selected for High Growth Phenotype

Marine Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 27(1)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract Selective breeding is a powerful tool for improving aquaculture production. A well-managed program essential, as populations can otherwise lose genetic diversity, leading to reduced selection response and inbreeding excesses. In such cases, diversity in broodstock must be restored by introducing individuals from external populations. However, this reduce the accumulated gains selective breeding. introduction of with superior phenotypes will allow restoration without sacrificing these gains. study, we demonstrated possibility using selectively bred (SB) randomly (RB) population coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ). Forty males growth were selected RB genomic crossed 127 collected females SB population, producing newly (NB) population. Genetic assessed statistics effective number alleles, allele richness, observed heterozygosity 11 microsatellite markers, was higher NB than RB. Additionally, fork length body weight compared among three after 12 months post-fertilization common tanks. The least-squares means similar between (164.9 mm 57.9 g) (161.1 53.7 g), while both significantly greater (150.4 43.0 g). Our results highlight effectiveness genome-assisted gene flow restoring compromising gain growth.

Language: Английский

---

Assisted gene flow yieldsAcropora palmatacorals with robust physiological performance under warmer water temperatures in a land-based nursery

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 11, 2025

Abstract Assisted gene flow (AGF) is a conservation approach that facilitates the spread of alleles and may accelerate recovery genetically depauperate cohorts. The threatened Caribbean coral Acropora palmata approaching regional extinction within western Atlantic partly due to increasing water temperatures associated with global climate change. Previously, AGF was conducted by crossing gametes collected from three regions (Curaçao - CU, Florida FL, Puerto Rico PR) characterized contrasting temperature regimes low between them. Here, we tested thermal tolerance these cohorts in comparison purebred Curaçao Exposure high resulted few physiological changes, likely because corals hosted thermally tolerant algal symbiont, Durusdinium trenchii . However, FL x cohort most sensitive significant reduction net photosynthesis maximum electron transport rate under this treatment. Like phenotypic responses, expression changes response heat stress were muted overall. Consequently, there little power detect correlations genotype phenotype. Relative mid-parent values, CUxFL showed 26 overexpressed 48 underexpressed genes. Differentially expressed genes included known responders. Importantly, hybrid crosses harbored 879 private previously not recovered representative genets thus carry important value. These findings suggest only novel but also represent patterns.

Language: Английский

---

Temporal Loss of Genome‐Wide and Immunogenetic Diversity in a Near‐Extinct Parrot

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

Published: March 25, 2025

Loss of genetic diversity threatens a species' adaptive potential and long-term resilience. Predicted to be extinct by 2038, the orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) is critically endangered migratory bird threatened numerous viral, bacterial fungal diseases. The species has undergone multiple population crashes, reaching low three wild-born females 13 males in 2016, now represented only single wild individuals captive breeding program. Here we used our high-quality long-read reference genome, contemporary (N = 19) historical 16) resequenced genomes from as early 1829, track genomic erosion immunogenetic decline this species. 62% was lost between (mean autosomal heterozygosity 0.00149 ± 0.000699 SD) (0.00057 0.000026) parrots. A greater number length runs homozygosity samples were also observed. temporal reduction alleles at Toll-like receptor genes found (historical average 5.78 2.73; 3.89 2.10), potentially exacerbating disease susceptibility population. Of particular concern new threat avian influenza strain (HPAI) Australia. We discuss conservation implications findings propose that hybridisation synthetic biology may required address catastrophic loss occurred order prevent extinction.

Language: Английский

---

Genomic and ecological divergence support recognition of a new species of endangered Satyrium butterfly (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

ZooKeys, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 1234, P. 291 - 307

Published: April 17, 2025

We describe a highly isolated population of hairstreak butterfly from Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada, as new species, Satyrium curiosolus sp. nov. , previously recognized semiluna (Half-moon Hairstreak). propose “Curiously Isolated Hairstreak” the common name due to its disjunct and unusual distribution. Previous whole-genome analyses revealed S. has extremely low genomic diversity is divergent nearest populations in British Columbia Montana, more than 400 km distant. Further analysis suggested prolonged inbreeding isolation for up ~40,000 years BP. Ecological niche modeling indicated that occupies environmental conditions are distinct suggesting divergence driven by long-term geographical ecological separation. While host plant ant associations have not been definitively resolved, they likely differ between . As part this description, we provide consensus sequences each individual type series identify 21,985 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) divergently fixed including 117 unlinked SNPs distributed across genome putative diagnostic markers. Previously listed Endangered Canada should retain conservation status extreme isolation, small size, flatlined diversity. species recognition testable hypothesis under General Lineage Concept recommend further research explore taxonomy, relationships, greater complex, fuliginosa

Language: Английский

---

Understanding the Past to Preserve the Future: Genomic Insights Into the Conservation Management of a Critically Endangered Waterbird

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(2)

Published: Dec. 17, 2024

To ensure the success of genetic rescue, we must minimise potential negative effects outbreeding depression that may arise from selecting source populations. The difficulty in assessing likelihood has hindered its consideration endangered species conservation. However, genomic research offers feasible indications. Here, conduct conservation analyses on East Asian (EA) population and relict Western/Central (WCA) critically Siberian crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus). We aim to assess rescue's advantages disadvantages between two Our analysis shows evidence limited differentiation them. persistent decline size due historical climatic oscillations leads a decrease diversity an increase inbreeding. WCA excessive deleterious homozygous mutations than EA population, suggesting suffering inbreeding resulting less effective purifying selection. Forward simulations support load elevated levels compromises fitness during collapse. strongly recommend urgent rescue for through supplementation population. continuous monitoring outcomes is required captive breeding. This work provides useful insights into management emphasises importance evaluating approaches.

Language: Английский

---