Deleterious Variation in Natural Populations and Implications for Conservation Genetics

Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11(1), P. 93 - 114

Published: Nov. 4, 2022

Deleterious mutations decrease reproductive fitness and are ubiquitous in genomes. Given that many organisms face ongoing threats of extinction, there is interest elucidating the impact deleterious variation on extinction risk optimizing management strategies accounting for such mutations. Quantifying understanding effects population history complex endeavors because we do not know strength selection acting each mutation. Further, effect demographic depends against mutation degree dominance. Here clarify how can be quantified studied natural populations. We then discuss different factors, as small size, nonequilibrium size changes, inbreeding, gene flow, affect variation. Lastly, provide guidance studying nonmodel populations conservation concern.

Language: Английский

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Inbreeding depression explains killer whale population dynamics

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(5), P. 675 - 686

Published: March 20, 2023

Language: Английский

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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 contribution of historical processes to contemporary extinction risk in placental mammals

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 380(6643)

Published: April 27, 2023

Species persistence can be influenced by the amount, type, and distribution of diversity across genome, suggesting a potential relationship between historical demography resilience. In this study, we surveyed genetic variation single genomes 240 mammals that compose Zoonomia alignment to evaluate how effective population size (

Language: Английский

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Reference genomes for conservation

Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 377(6604), P. 364 - 366

Published: July 21, 2022

High-quality reference genomes for non-model species can benefit conservation.

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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Divergent sensory and immune gene evolution in sea turtles with contrasting demographic and life histories

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(7)

Published: Feb. 7, 2023

Sea turtles represent an ancient lineage of marine vertebrates that evolved from terrestrial ancestors over 100 Mya. The genomic basis the unique physiological and ecological traits enabling these species to thrive in diverse habitats remains largely unknown. Additionally, many populations have drastically declined due anthropogenic activities past two centuries, their recovery is a high global conservation priority. We generated analyzed high-quality reference genomes for leatherback ( Dermochelys coriacea ) green Chelonia mydas turtles, representing extant sea turtle families. These are highly syntenic homologous, but localized regions noncollinearity were associated with higher copy numbers immune, zinc-finger, olfactory receptor (OR) genes ORs related waterborne odorants greatly expanded turtles. Our findings suggest divergent evolution key gene families may underlie immunological sensory adaptations assisting navigation, occupancy neritic versus pelagic environments, diet specialization. Reduced collinearity was especially prevalent microchromosomes, greater content, heterozygosity, genetic distances between species, supporting critical role vertebrate evolutionary adaptation. Finally, diversity demographic histories starkly contrasted indicating had low yet stable effective population size, exhibit extremely compared other reptiles, harbor load reinforcing concern persistence under future climate scenarios. provide invaluable resources advancing our understanding best practices imperiled lineage.

Language: Английский

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Direct Measurement of the Mutation Rate and Its Evolutionary Consequences in a Critically Endangered Mollusk

Molecular Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 42(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract The rate at which mutations arise is a fundamental parameter of biology. Despite progress in measuring germline mutation rates across diverse taxa, such estimates are missing for much Earth's biodiversity. Here, we present the first estimate from phylum Mollusca. We sequenced three pedigreed families white abalone Haliotis sorenseni, long-lived, large-bodied, and critically endangered mollusk, estimated de novo 8.60 × 10−9 single nucleotide per site generation. This similar to measured vertebrates with comparable generation times longevity abalone, higher than faster-reproducing invertebrates. spectrum also that seen vertebrate species, although an excess rare C > A polymorphisms wild individuals suggests modifier allele or environmental exposure may have once increased rates. use our infer baseline effective population sizes (Ne) multiple Pacific find persisted over most their evolutionary history as large stable populations, contrast extreme fluctuations recent small census day. then timing pattern evolution genus Haliotis, was previously unknown due few fossil calibrations. Our findings important step toward understanding they establish key conservation genomics research mollusks.

Language: Английский

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State of knowledge of the population of the vaquita (Phocoena sinus) from the Upper Gulf of California: a bibliometric analysis

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

The state of scientific knowledge about the vaquita, Phocoena sinus , is presented, a critically endangered endemic species Upper Gulf California, Mexico. Several bibliographic repositories were explored, selecting Web Science because it considers Citation Index as selection criterion. A bibliometric and analysis literature was carried out. network associations built based on co-occurrence sets keywords, which reflect relevance research topics discussed. Two stand out: population conservation. Unaddressed are also identified, such trophic interdependencies, ecosystem, effects environment climate patterns. Regarding population, changes in abundance, vulnerability, distribution current habitat have been addressed. In terms conservation, monotonic decrease size stands out, management aimed at stopping this interaction with commercial illegal fishing. conclusion, measures adopted not effective, given that vaquita continues to decline. There failures application regulations, insufficient monitoring surveillance, unregistered captures, fishing limited participation human communities design implementation perceiving damages lack interest compliance regulations proposed measures. Beyond gained, needed answer key question: ecosystem conditions suitable for recover? question requires different even currently non-existent knowledge.

Language: Английский

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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

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