Using Molecular Genetics to Learn About the Ecology of Threatened Species: The Allure and The Illusion of Measuring Genetic Structure In Natural Populations

1998 ◽  
pp. 440-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor K. Steinberg ◽  
Christopher E. Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Molecular Genetics ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Natural Populations

Population genetic structure and dispersal of Pinus occidentalis in the Dominican Republic by chloroplastic SSR with implications for its conservation, management, and reforestation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis E. Rodríguez de Francisco ◽  
Rosanna Carreras-De León ◽  
Rafael M. Navarro Cerrillo ◽  
Liz A. Paulino-Gervacio ◽  
María-Dolores Rey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Dominican Republic ◽  
Population Genetic Structure ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pinus Occidentalis

<i>Pinus occidentalis</i> is the dominant species of forest ecosystems in the Dominican Republic, located between 200 and 3000 meters above sea level, with extensive and overexploited natural populations. However, over the years, various restoration plans have been performed, which could affect the genetic structure of <i>P. occidentalis</i>. Despite being the species with the highest occurrence in the Dominican forests, there is no existing information on genetic structure and molecular characterization among natural populations with limited information on both phenological and productive characterization. In this study, the genetic structure, diversity, and gene flow of the five <i>P. occidentalis</i> natural populations of the Dominican Republic were determined using microsatellite markers. A total of 145 individuals were genotyped with eight polymorphic chloroplastic microsatellites, producing an average of 41 haplotypes with high genetic diversity across populations (H<sub>E</sub> = 0.90). Significant population genetic structure was found between populations (F<sub>ST</sub> = 0.123). These results reflect the impact of reforestation programs on natural populations and diluting the natural genetic signature. Analysis of population genetic data is, therefore, crucial for the breeding and conservation programs of <i>P. occidentalis</i> in the country.

scholarly journals Population Genetics and Evolution Analysis Reveal Diversity and Origin of Ammopiptanthus in China.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guai-qiang Chai ◽  
Yizhong Duan ◽  
Peipei Jiao ◽  
Zhongyu Du ◽  
Furen Kang
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Ammopiptanthus Nanus ◽  
Genome Wide

Abstract Background：Elucidating and revealing the population genetic structure, genetic diversity and recombination is essential for understanding the evolution and adaptation of species. Ammopiptanthus, which is an endangered survivor from the Tethys in the Tertiary Period, is the only evergreen broadleaf shrub grown in Northwest of China. However, little is known about its genetic diversity and underlying adaptation mechanisms. Results：Here, 111 Ammopiptanthus individuals collected from fifteen natural populations in estern China were analyzed by means of the specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq). Based on the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions and deletions (InDels) detected by SLAF-seq, genetic diversity and markers associated with climate and geographical distribution variables were identified. The results of genetic diversity and genetic differentiation revealed that all fifteen populations showed medium genetic diversity, with PIC values ranging from 0.1648 to 0.3081. AMOVA and Fst indicated that a low genetic differentiation existed among populations. Phylogenetic analysis showed that NX-BG and NMG-DQH of fifteen populations have the highest homology，while the genetic structure analysis revealed that these Ammopiptanthus germplasm accessions were structured primarily along the basis of their geographic collection, and that an extensive admixture occurred in each group. In addition, the genome-wide linkage disequilibrium (LD) and principal component analysis showed that Ammopiptanthus nanus had a more diverse genomic background, and all genetic populations were clearly distinguished, although different degrees of introgression were detected in these groups. Conclusion：Our study could provide guidance to the future design of association studies and the systematic utilization and protection of the genetic variation characterizing the Ammopiptanthus.

Cryptic Lineages and a Population Dammed to Incipient Extinction? Insights into the Genetic Structure of a Mekong River Catfish

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda S Ackiss ◽  
Binh T Dang ◽  
Christopher E Bird ◽  
Ellen E Biesack ◽  
Phen Chheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Flood Pulse ◽  
Mekong River ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Genetic Lineages ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Size Estimates

Abstract An understanding of the genetic composition of populations across management boundaries is vital to developing successful strategies for sustaining biodiversity and food resources. This is especially important in ecosystems where habitat fragmentation has altered baseline patterns of gene flow, dividing natural populations into smaller subpopulations and increasing potential loss of genetic variation through genetic drift. River systems can be highly fragmented by dams built for flow regulation and hydropower. We used reduced-representation sequencing to examine genomic patterns in an exploited catfish, Hemibagrus spilopterus, in a hotspot of biodiversity and hydropower development—the Mekong River basin. Our results revealed the presence of 2 highly divergent coexisting genetic lineages which may be cryptic species. Within the lineage with the greatest sample sizes, pairwise FST values, principal component analysis, and a STRUCTURE analysis all suggest that long-distance migration is not common across the Lower Mekong Basin, even in areas where flood-pulse hydrology has limited genetic divergence. In tributaries, effective population size estimates were at least an order of magnitude lower than in the Mekong mainstream indicating these populations may be more vulnerable to perturbations such as human-induced fragmentation. Fish isolated upstream of several dams in one tributary exhibited particularly low genetic diversity, high amounts of relatedness, and a level of inbreeding (GIS = 0.51) that has been associated with inbreeding depression in other outcrossing species. Our results highlight the importance of assessing genetic structure and diversity in riverine fisheries populations across proposed dam development sites for the preservation of these critically important resources.

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