Genomic evidence for low genetic diversity but purging of strong deleterious variants in snow leopards DOI Creative Commons
Lin Yang, Hongjian Jin, Qi‐En Yang

et al.

Genome biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(1)

Published: April 14, 2025

Long-term persistence of species with low genetic diversity is the focus widespread attention in conservation biology. The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, a big cat from high-alpine regions Asia. However, its subspecies taxonomy, evolutionary history, potential, and survival strategy remain unclear, which greatly hampers their conservation. We sequence high-quality chromosome-level genome leopard genomes 52 wild leopards. Population genomics reveal existence two large lineages global leopards, northern southern lineages, supported by biogeography. Last Glacial Maximum drove divergence lineages. Microclimate differences rivers between western central Himalayas likely maintain differentiation EPAS1 positively selected lineage almost fixed amino acid substitutions shows an increased allele frequency elevation. Compared to lineage, exhibits lower level genomic higher levels inbreeding load, consistent recent population decline. find that leopards have extremely than other Carnivora species; however, strong deleterious mutations been effectively purged historical bottlenecks inbreeding, may be vital mechanism for viability. Our findings highlight importance unveiling both burden threatened species.

Language: Английский

Genomic evidence for low genetic diversity but purging of strong deleterious variants in snow leopards DOI Creative Commons
Lin Yang, Hongjian Jin, Qi‐En Yang

et al.

Genome biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(1)

Published: April 14, 2025

Long-term persistence of species with low genetic diversity is the focus widespread attention in conservation biology. The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, a big cat from high-alpine regions Asia. However, its subspecies taxonomy, evolutionary history, potential, and survival strategy remain unclear, which greatly hampers their conservation. We sequence high-quality chromosome-level genome leopard genomes 52 wild leopards. Population genomics reveal existence two large lineages global leopards, northern southern lineages, supported by biogeography. Last Glacial Maximum drove divergence lineages. Microclimate differences rivers between western central Himalayas likely maintain differentiation EPAS1 positively selected lineage almost fixed amino acid substitutions shows an increased allele frequency elevation. Compared to lineage, exhibits lower level genomic higher levels inbreeding load, consistent recent population decline. find that leopards have extremely than other Carnivora species; however, strong deleterious mutations been effectively purged historical bottlenecks inbreeding, may be vital mechanism for viability. Our findings highlight importance unveiling both burden threatened species.

Language: Английский

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