Ornithology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
138(2)
Published: April 6, 2021
Abstract
Examining
differences
among
recently
diverged
populations
can
provide
insight
into
the
traits
and
evolutionary
mechanisms
that
drive
or
maintain
divergence.
The
genus
Sturnella
includes
2
species,
magna
(Eastern
Meadowlark)
S.
neglecta
(Western
Meadowlark),
former
of
which
has
a
complex
subspecies
distributed
across
Americas.
Of
occur
in
United
States,
m.
lilianae
is
only
one
with
disjunct
range,
occurring
southwestern
States
central
Mexico.
It
also
markedly
different
song
patterns
than
all
other
subspecies.
In
order
to
assess
population
differentiation,
we
performed
whole-genome
sequencing
35
birds
analyzed
characteristics
from
85
birds.
Songs
each
species
were
diagnosable
using
linear
discriminant
function
analysis
support
divergence
between
taxa.
Phylogenetic
admixture
proportions
3
distinct
clades
within
North
American
meadowlarks,
tests
introgression
failed
detect
significant
signal.
Overall,
our
results
indicate
exhibits
high
levels
genetic
vocal
differentiation
both
neglecta,
no
evidence
any
group,
forms
lineage.
We
thus
recommend
elevation
status.
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
30(23), P. 5966 - 5993
Published: July 12, 2021
Abstract
Low‐coverage
whole
genome
sequencing
(lcWGS)
has
emerged
as
a
powerful
and
cost‐effective
approach
for
population
genomic
studies
in
both
model
nonmodel
species.
However,
with
read
depths
too
low
to
confidently
call
individual
genotypes,
lcWGS
requires
specialized
analysis
tools
that
explicitly
account
genotype
uncertainty.
A
growing
number
of
such
have
become
available,
but
it
can
be
difficult
get
an
overview
what
types
analyses
performed
reliably
data,
how
the
distribution
effort
between
samples
analysed
per‐sample
affects
inference
accuracy.
In
this
introductory
guide
lcWGS,
we
first
illustrate
cost
is
now
comparable
RAD‐seq
Pool‐seq
many
systems.
We
then
provide
software
packages
uncertainty
different
inference.
Next,
use
simulated
empirical
data
assess
accuracy
allele
frequency,
genetic
diversity,
linkage
disequilibrium
estimation,
detection
structure,
selection
scans
under
strategies.
Our
results
show
spreading
given
amount
across
more
lower
depth
per
sample
consistently
improves
most
inference,
few
notable
exceptions.
Finally,
potential
using
imputation
bolster
from
species,
discuss
current
limitations
future
perspectives
lcWGS‐based
genomics
research.
With
overview,
hope
make
approachable
stimulate
its
broader
adoption.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
288(1943), P. 20201805 - 20201805
Published: Jan. 20, 2021
Coloration
is
an
important
target
of
both
natural
and
sexual
selection.
Discovering
the
genetic
basis
colour
differences
can
help
us
to
understand
how
this
visually
striking
phenotype
evolves.
Hybridizing
taxa
with
clear
shallow
genomic
divergences
are
unusually
tractable
for
associating
coloration
phenotypes
their
causal
genotypes.
Here,
we
leverage
extensive
admixture
between
two
common
North
American
woodpeckers—yellow-shafted
red-shafted
flickers—to
identify
bases
six
distinct
plumage
patches
involving
melanin
carotenoid
pigments.
Comparisons
flickers
across
approximately
7.25
million
genome-wide
SNPs
show
that
these
forms
differ
at
only
a
small
proportion
genome
(mean
F
ST
=
0.008).
Within
few
highly
differentiated
regions,
368
significantly
associated
four
patches.
These
linked
multiple
genes
known
be
involved
in
pigmentation.
For
example,
gene
(
CYP2J19
)
cause
yellow
red
transitions
other
birds
strongly
versus
wing
tail
feathers
flickers.
Additionally,
our
analyses
suggest
novel
links
coloration.
Our
finding
patch-specific
control
adds
growing
body
literature
suggesting
diversity
animals
could
created
through
selection
acting
on
combinations
genes.
Molecular Ecology Resources,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
19(5), P. 1115 - 1130
Published: July 23, 2019
Abstract
Museum
specimens
play
a
crucial
role
in
addressing
key
questions
systematics,
evolution,
ecology,
and
conservation.
With
the
advent
of
high‐throughput
sequencing
technologies,
that
have
long
been
foundation
important
biological
discoveries
can
inform
new
perspectives
as
sources
genomic
data.
Despite
many
possibilities
associated
with
analyzing
DNA
from
historical
specimens,
several
challenges
persist.
Using
avian
systems
model,
we
review
extraction
protocols,
capture
methods
are
helping
researchers
overcome
some
these
difficulties.
We
highlight
empirical
examples
which
used
technologies
to
address
fundamental
related
conservation
evolution.
Increasing
accessibility
will
provide
tools
tap
into
wealth
information
contained
within
our
valuable
natural
history
collections.
Ornithology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
138(2)
Published: March 1, 2021
Abstract
Given
the
availability
of
genomic
data
to
identify
separately
evolving
groups
organisms,
many
researchers
establish
species
limits
based
on
assessments
extent
gene
flow
among
populations
and
often
use
analytical
approaches
in
which
is
explicitly
disallowed.
Strictly
considering
lack
of—or
limited—gene
as
main
or
only
criterion
delimit
involves
two
complications
practice.
First,
used
analyze
genome-wide
cannot
by
themselves
distinguish
from
within-species
population
structure,
particularly
allopatric
organisms.
Second,
recognizing
those
lineages
one
can
using
such
fails
embrace
role
other
evolutionary
forces
(i.e.
various
forms
selection)
defining
lineages.
Using
examples
birds,
we
call
for
importance
additional
delimitation
explain
why
commonly
taxonomic
studies
may
be
insufficient
properly
uncover
limits.
By
processes
that
structure
genotypic
phenotypic
variation
during
speciation,
argue
rigorous
analyses
remain
crucial
genomics
era
because
phenotypes
uniquely
inform
us
about
selection
maintaining
cohesion
Evolutionary
theory
describing
roles
flow,
genetic
drift
natural
sexual
origin
maintenance
calls
an
integration
with
phenomics
avian
delimitation.
Evolution,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
76(5), P. 1082 - 1090
Published: March 23, 2022
Natural
hybrid
zones
have
provided
important
insights
into
the
evolutionary
process,
and
their
geographic
dynamics
over
time
can
help
to
disentangle
underlying
biological
processes
that
maintain
them.
Here,
we
leverage
replicated
sampling
of
an
identical
transect
across
zone
between
yellow‐shafted
red‐shafted
flickers
in
Great
Plains
assess
its
stability
∼60
years
(1955–1957
2016–2018).
We
identify
a
∼73‐km
westward
shift
center
toward
range
flicker,
but
find
no
associated
changes
width
our
period.
In
fact,
remains
remarkably
narrow,
suggesting
some
kind
selective
pressure
maintains
zone.
By
comparing
previous
work
same
region,
it
appears
likely
movement
has
occurred
since
early
1980s.
This
recent
may
be
related
climate
or
land
management
practices
allowed
Plains.
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 23, 2025
ABSTRACT
How
genetic
variation
contributes
to
adaptation
at
different
environments
is
a
central
focus
in
evolutionary
biology.
However,
most
free‐living
species
still
lack
comprehensive
understanding
of
the
primary
molecular
mechanisms
adaptation.
Here,
we
characterised
targets
selection
associated
with
drastically
aquatic
environments—humic
and
clear
water—in
common
freshwater
fish,
Eurasian
perch
(
Perca
fluviatilis
).
By
using
whole‐genome
sequencing
(WGS)
on
large
population
dataset
n
=
42
populations)
analysing
873,788
SNPs,
our
aim
was
uncover
novel
confirm
known
footprints
selection.
We
compared
individual
pooled
WGS,
developed
approach,
termed
dynamic
outlier
slicing,
assess
how
choice
outlier‐calling
stringency
influences
functional
Gene
Ontology
(GO)
enrichment.
integrating
genome‐environment
association
(GEA)
analysis
allele
frequency‐based
approaches,
estimated
composite
signals
(CSS)
identified
2679
SNPs
distributed
across
324
genomic
regions,
involving
468
genes.
Dynamic
slicing
robust
enrichment
five
annotation
categories
(upstream,
downstream,
synonymous,
5′UTR
3′UTR)
highlighting
crucial
role
regulatory
elements
adaptive
evolution.
Furthermore,
GO
analyses
revealed
strong
functions
gated
channel
activity,
transmembrane
transporter
activity
ion
emphasising
importance
osmoregulation
balance
maintenance.
Our
findings
demonstrate
that
despite
substantial
random
drift
divergence,
WGS
high
number
pools
enabled
identification
both
humic
water
environments,
providing
evidence
widespread
anticipate
method
will
enable
more
thorough
exploration
divergence
diverse
range
species.
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
30(23), P. 5994 - 6005
Published: May 2, 2021
Researchers
seeking
to
generate
genomic
data
for
non-model
organisms
are
faced
with
a
number
of
trade-offs
when
deciding
which
method
use.
The
selection
reduced
representation
approaches
versus
whole
genome
resequencing
will
ultimately
affect
the
marker
density,
sequencing
depth,
and
individuals
that
can
multiplexed.
These
factors
researchers'
ability
accurately
characterize
certain
features,
such
as
landscapes
divergence-how
FST
varies
across
genomes.
To
provide
insight
into
effect
on
estimation
divergence
landscapes,
we
applied
an
identical
bioinformatic
pipeline
three
generations
(GBS,
ddRAD,
WGS)
produced
same
system,
yellow-rumped
warbler
species
complex.
We
compare
generated
using
each
myrtle
(Setophaga
coronata
coronata)
Audubon's
(S.
c.
auduboni),
warblers
deeply
divergent
mtDNA
resulting
from
mitochondrial
introgression.
found
most
high-FST
peaks
were
not
detected
in
ddRAD
set,
while
both
GBS
WGS
able
identify
presence
large
peaks,
was
superior
at
finer
scale.
Comparing
haplotypes,
only
allowed
us
small
(10-20
kb)
regions
elevated
differentiation,
one
contained
nuclear-encoded
gene
NDUFAF3.
calculated
cost
per
base
pair
it
comparable
between
WGS,
but
significantly
higher
ddRAD.
comparisons
highlight
advantages
over
methods
characterizing
divergence.
Ornithology,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
136(4)
Published: Aug. 30, 2019
Abstract
Ecological
speciation
can
proceed
despite
genetic
interchange
when
selection
counteracts
the
homogenizing
effects
of
migration.
We
tested
predictions
this
divergence-with-gene-flow
model
in
Coeligena
helianthea
and
C.
bonapartei,
2
parapatric
Andean
hummingbirds
with
marked
plumage
divergence.
sequenced
putatively
neutral
markers
(mitochondrial
DNA
[mtDNA]
nuclear
ultraconserved
elements
[UCEs])
to
examine
structure
gene
flow,
a
candidate
(MC1R)
assess
its
role
underlying
divergence
coloration.
also
prediction
Gloger’s
rule
that
darker
forms
occur
more
humid
environments,
examined
morphological
variation
adaptive
mechanisms
potentially
promoting
Genetic
differentiation
between
species
was
low
both
ND2
UCEs.
Coalescent
estimates
migration
were
consistent
but
we
cannot
reject
incomplete
lineage
sorting
reflecting
recent
as
an
explanation
for
patterns
variation.
MC1R
unrelated
phenotypic
differences.
Species
did
not
differ
macroclimatic
niches
distinct
morphology.
Although
adaptation
conditions
cause
divergence,
may
have
occurred
face
flow
driven
by
other
ecological
pressures
or
sexual
selection.
Marked
no
is
remarkable
Neotropical
birds,
makes
bonapartei
appropriate
system
which
search
basis
differences
employing
genomics.
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
9(1)
Published: Dec. 3, 2019
Abstract
Intracontinental
biotic
divisions
across
the
vast
Palaearctic
region
are
not
well-characterized.
Past
research
has
revealed
patterns
ranging
from
a
lack
of
population
structure
to
deep
divergences
along
varied
lines
separation.
Here
we
compared
biogeographic
two
shorebirds
with
different
habitat
preferences,
Whimbrel
(
Numenius
phaeopus
)
and
Eurasian
curlew
N.
arquata
).
Using
genome-wide
markers
populations
Palaearctic,
applied
multitude
genomic
phylogenomic
approaches
elucidate
structure.
Most
importantly,
tested
for
isolation
by
distance
visualized
barriers
corridors
gene
flow.
We
found
shallow
in
subpolar
bog
tundra-breeding
whimbrels,
consistent
other
species
breeding
at
similarly
high
latitude,
indicating
connectivity
tundra
belt,
both
presently
during
southward
shifts
periods
global
cooling.
In
contrast,
temperate
grassland-breeding
emerged
three
distinct
clades
corresponding
glacial
refugia.
Barriers
flow
coincided
areas
topographic
relief
central
whimbrels
further
east
curlews.
Our
findings
highlight
interplay
historic
ecological
factors
influencing
present-day
biota.
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
9(1)
Published: June 12, 2019
Genetic
isolation
of
populations
over
evolutionary
time
leads
to
the
formation
independent
species.
We
examined
a
pair
shorebirds
-
Kentish
Plover
Charadrius
alexandrinus
and
enigmatic
White-faced
C.
dealbatus
which
display
strong
plumage
differentiation,
yet
show
minimal
genetic
divergence
based
on
previous
mitochondrial
microsatellite
work.
Two
scenarios
may
lead
this
situation:
(1)
they
represent
clinal
or
poorly
diverged
with
limited
genomic
differentiation
despite
substantial
variation,
(2)
are
diverging
taxa
at
cusp
speciation,
ongoing
gene
flow
obliterating
signals
in
traditional
markers.
compared
genotypes
98
plovers
(59
Plovers,
35
Plovers
4
hybrids)
sampled
eastern
Asia
Europe
using
ddRADSeq
harvest
8000
genome-wide
SNPs.
In
contrast
studies,
our
analyses
revealed
two
well
defined
clusters,
hybridization
narrow
contact
zone.
also
uncovered
significant
differences
bill
length
further
sex-specific
size,
signal
mate
choice
between
Plovers.
Our
results
support
hypothesis
that
shorebird
duo
is
verge
speciation.