The inflated significance of neutral genetic diversity in conservation genetics

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(10)

Published: Feb. 19, 2021

The current rate of species extinction is rapidly approaching unprecedented highs and life on Earth presently faces a sixth mass event driven by anthropogenic activity, climate change ecological collapse. field conservation genetics aims at preserving using their levels genetic diversity, usually measured as neutral genome-wide barometer for evaluating population health risk. A fundamental assumption that higher diversity lead to an increase in fitness long-term survival species. Here, we argue against the perceived importance wild populations We demonstrate no simple general relationship exists between risk extinction. Instead, better understanding properties functional demographic history, relationships, necessary developing implementing effective strategies.

Language: Английский

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Conservation and the Genomics of Populations

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 10, 2022

Abstract Loss of biodiversity is among the greatest problems facing world today. Conservation and Genomics Populations gives a comprehensive overview essential background, concepts, tools needed to understand how genetic information can be used conserve species threatened with extinction, manage ecological or commercial importance. New molecular techniques, statistical methods, computer programs, principles, methods are becoming increasingly useful in conservation biological diversity. Using balance data theory, coupled basic applied research examples, this book examines phenotypic variation natural populations, principles mechanisms evolutionary change, interpretation from these conservation. The includes examples plants, animals, microbes wild captive populations. This third edition has been thoroughly revised include advances genomics contains new chapters on population genomics, monitoring, genetics practice, as well sections climate emerging diseases, metagenomics, more. More than one-third references were published after previous edition. Each 24 Appendix end Guest Box written by an expert who provides example presented chapter their own work. for advanced undergraduate graduate students genetics, resource management, biology, professional biologists policy-makers working wildlife habitat management agencies. Much will also interest nonprofessionals curious about role

Language: Английский

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Epigenetics and the success of invasive plants

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 376(1826), P. 20200117 - 20200117

Published: April 17, 2021

Biological invasions impose ecological and economic problems on a global scale, but also provide extraordinary opportunities for studying contemporary evolution. It is critical to understand the evolutionary processes that underly invasion success in order successfully manage existing invaders, prevent future invasions. As successful invasive species sometimes are suspected rapidly adjust their new environments spite of very low genetic diversity, we obliged re-evaluate genomic-level translate into phenotypic diversity. In this paper, review work supports idea trait variation, within among populations, can be created through epigenetic or other non-genetic processes, particularly clonal invaders where somatic changes persist indefinitely. We consider several have been implicated as adaptive success, focusing various forms 'genomic shock' resulting from exposure environmental stress, hybridization whole-genome duplication (polyploidy), leading patterns gene expression re-programming contribute variation even novelty. These mechanisms transgressive phenotypes, including hybrid vigour novel traits, may thus help huge successes some plant especially those genetically impoverished. This article part theme issue 'How does epigenetics influence course evolution?'

Language: Английский

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Genomic investigations of successful invasions: the picture emerging from recent studies

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 16, 2025

ABSTRACT Invasion biology aims to identify traits and mechanisms that contribute successful invasions, while also providing general insights into the underlying population expansion adaptation rapid climate habitat changes. Certain phenotypic attributes have been linked role of genetics has critical in understanding invasive species. Nevertheless, a comprehensive summary evaluating most common evolutionary associated with invasions across species environments is still lacking. Here we present systematic review studies since 2015 applied genomic tools investigate different organisms. We examine demographic patterns such as changes diversity at level, presence genetic bottlenecks gene flow range. selection from standing variation de novo mutations, hybridisation introgression, all which can an impact on invasion success. This recent articles led creation searchable database provide researchers accessible resource. Analysis this allowed quantitative assessment adaptive acting A predominant admixture increasing levels enabling molecular novel habitats important finding our study. The “genetic paradox” was not validated data ecosystems. Even though drift commonly reported upon invasion, large reduction rarely observed. Any decrease often relatively mild almost always restored via between populations. fact loci under are frequently detected suggests level hindered. above findings confirmed herein for first time semi‐quantitative manner by data. point gaps potential improvements design driving These include scarcity sampling multiple native populations, identification sources, longitudinal sampling, integration fitness measures analyses. note whole genome exploited fully predicting potential. Comparative identifying features promoting underrepresented despite their use tool control.

Language: Английский

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Do Epigenetic Changes Drive Corticosterone Responses to Alarm Cues in Larvae of an Invasive Amphibian?

Integrative and Comparative Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 60(6), P. 1481 - 1494

Published: June 10, 2020

The developmental environment can exert powerful effects on animal phenotype. Recently, epigenetic modifications have emerged as one mechanism that modulate developmentally plastic responses to environmental variability. For example, the DNA methylation profile at promoters of hormone receptor genes affect their expression and patterns release. Across taxonomic groups, alterations been linked changes in glucocorticoid (GC) physiology. GCs are metabolic hormones influence growth, development, transitions between life-history stages, thus fitness. To date, relatively few studies examined phenotypic traits wild animals, especially amphibians. Here, we exposure predation threat (alarm cues) experimentally manipulated corticosterone (CORT) levels tadpoles metamorphs invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina). We included offspring toads sampled from populations across species' Australian range. In these chemical cues injured conspecifics induces shifts trajectories, putatively an adaptive response lessens vulnerability predation. exposed alarm cues, measured CORT levels, both which mechanisms implicated control phenotypically tadpoles. test idea drives GC physiology, also with drug zebularine. found differentially methylated regions (DMRs) full-siblings zebularine, or treatments. However, manipulations were weaker than clutch (e.g., genetic, maternal, etc.) effects. higher larval little evidence gene (NR3C1) promoter region cue zebularine exposure. zebularine-exposed individuals, suppressor cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), may be involved predator avoidance behavior. total, our data reveal significant impacts tadpole but show only weak links levels. identify containing DMRs particularly range-edge populations, warrant further investigation.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary principles guiding amphibian conservation

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 13(5), P. 857 - 878

Published: March 3, 2020

Abstract The Anthropocene has witnessed catastrophic amphibian declines across the globe. A multitude of new, primarily human‐induced drivers decline may lead to extinction, but can also push species onto novel evolutionary trajectories. If these are recognized by biologists, they be engaged in conservation actions. Here, we summarize how principles stemming from concepts have been applied for purposes, and address emerging ideas at vanguard science. In particular, examine consequences increased drift inbreeding small populations their implications practical conservation. We then review studies connectivity between landscape level, which emphasized limiting influence anthropogenic structures degraded habitat on genetic cohesion. rapid pace environmental changes leads central question whether cope either adapting new conditions or shifting ranges. gloomily conclude that extinction seems far more likely than adaptation range shifts most species. That said, strategies employing principles, such as selective breeding, introduction adaptive variants through translocations, ecosystem interventions aimed decreasing phenotype–environment mismatch, engineering, effectively counter some areas spread invasive infectious diseases often had disastrous consequences, provided premier examples evolution with implications. Much done terms setting aside valuable should encompass both natural agricultural areas, well designing protected maximize phylogenetic functional diversity community. an explicit consideration application although certainly not a silver bullet, increase effectiveness short long term.

Language: Английский

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Early fish domestication affects methylation of key genes involved in the rapid onset of the farmed phenotype

Epigenetics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(10), P. 1281 - 1298

Published: Jan. 10, 2022

Animal domestication is a process of environmental modulation and artificial selection leading to permanent phenotypic modifications. Recent studies showed that changes occur very early in domestication, i.e., within the first generation captivity, which raises hypothesis epigenetic mechanisms may play critical role on onset domestic phenotype. In this context, we applied reduced representation bisulphite sequencing compare methylation profiles between wild Nile tilapia females their offspring reared under farmed conditions. Approximately 700 differentially methylated CpG sites were found, many them associated not only with genes involved muscle growth, immunity, autophagy diet response but also related mechanisms, such as RNA histone This bottom-up approach traits often animals (e.g., higher growth rate different immune status) be regulated epigenetically prior gene sequences. Moreover, it revealed importance process, reflected by differential patterns fat metabolism. Finally, our study highlighted TGF-β1 signalling pathway regulate several CpG-associated genes. could an important multifunctional component promoting adaptation fish environment while modulating immunity-related traits.

Language: Английский

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A biological invasion modifies the dynamics of a host–parasite arms race

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2016)

Published: Feb. 14, 2024

By imposing novel selection pressures on both participants, biological invasions can modify evolutionary ‘arms races’ between hosts and parasites. A spatially replicated cross-infection experiment reveals strong spatial divergence in the ability of lungworms ( Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala ) to infect invasive cane toads Rhinella marina Australia. In areas colonized for longer than 20 years, are more resistant infection by local strains parasites allopatric strains. The situation reverses at invasion front, where super-infective have evolved. Invasion-induced shifts genetic diversity selective may explain why gain advantage over long-colonized areas, whereas front.

Language: Английский

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Does a biological invasion modify host immune responses to parasite infection?

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Biological invasions can disrupt the close and longstanding coevolved relationships between host parasites. At same time, shifting selective forces acting on demography during invasion result in rapid evolution of traits both parasite. Hosts at front may reduce investment into costly immune defences redistribute those resources to other fitness-enhancing traits. Parasites have reduced pathogenicity because that negatively impact dispersal are left behind expanding range. The host's system is its primary arsenal coevolutionary 'arms race' with To assess effects history responses parasite infection, we conducted a cross-infection experiment which paired common-garden reared cane toads lungworm parasites originating from various sites their invaded range across northern Australia. Infected had larger spleens higher concentrations eosinophils than did uninfected toads. also exhibited lower bacteria-killing ability, perhaps reflecting trade-off towards more specifically anthelminthic. infection intensity multiple measures differed among different parts trajectory, supporting hypothesis has disrupted patterns local adaptation.

Language: Английский

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An Established Plant Invader May Still Benefit From Increasing Genetic Diversity—Insights From Artificial Populations in a Common Garden Experiment

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Genetic diversity and competitive ability, though extensively studied in the context of biological invasions, are still poorly understood their relative importance, especially when shifting perspective from an individual plant's phenotype to overall population performance. Most approaches addressing role genetic involve comparison standing variation field populations combined with experimental treatments on plants. Composing predefined mixtures manipulate would be approach test for direct effects We determined pairwise distances among 16 invasive 22 native Jacobaea vulgaris GAERTN. using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Based this information, we created each 15 de‐novo different levels both origins. These were subjected three decreasing microsite availability by a matrix either 0, 5, or 10 individuals Festuca rubra . monitored performance continuously throughout two growing seasons study interactions between origin, availability, (generalized) linear models. This allowed us uncover whether importance those factors varies life‐stage biennial species. found no ambiguous patterns hypothesized beneficial effect J. populations. Native tended respond negatively increasing diversity, under more favorable site conditions, but was not persistent pattern only evident through continuous monitoring. Invasive could benefit during early establishment, interaction restricted availability. Our results do suggest that supports establishment certain environmental conditions. Therefore, recommendations nature conservation, efforts should aim at limiting propagule addition already invaded areas, even well‐established

Language: Английский

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