Already at the bottom? Demographic declines are unlikely further to undermine genetic diversity of a large Arctic ungulate: muskox, Ovibos moschatus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 459-469
Author(s):  
Erin Prewer ◽  
Susan Kutz ◽  
Lisa Marie Leclerc ◽  
Christopher J Kyle
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Allelic Richness ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Expected Heterozygosity ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Victoria Island ◽  
Demographic Patterns

Abstract Low genetic diversity is associated with low fitness and evolutionary potential, yet the demographic and life-history traits of some species contribute to low genetic diversity, without empirical evidence of negative impacts on fitness. Modelling past and future trajectories of genetic diversity under different demographic scenarios can provide insight into how genetic variation might impact population fitness. The muskox is an Arctic species that has undergone multiple population bottlenecks and, although populations have rebounded repeatedly, two large populations have recently declined by > 50%. It is unclear how these demographic patterns influence muskox genetic diversity and fitness. We compared the genetic diversity of Canadian muskox populations undergoing opposing population trends. Genotyping 84 mainland and 244 Victoria Island individuals at ten microsatellite loci revealed low genetic variation (Victoria Island, mean allelic richness 1.66, expected heterozygosity 0.16; mainland, mean allelic richness 2.58, expected heterozygosity 0.41), with no evidence of further reductions in diversity subsequent to recent demographic declines. Bayesian modelling showed that a 1900s bottleneck contributed to the lack of diversity in contemporary populations, and forward-in-time simulations suggested little effect on genetic diversity over the next 100 years. Muskoxen might have reached a genetic diversity minimum, and additional research will be needed to determine their capacity to adapt to rapid changes in selective pressures in a rapidly changing Arctic.

scholarly journals Genomic and demographic processes differentially influence genetic variation across the X chromosome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Cotter ◽  
Timothy H. Webster ◽  
Melissa A. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Linkage Disequilibrium ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Ideal System ◽  
Demographic Patterns

AbstractMutation, recombination, selection, and demography affect genetic variation across the genome. Increased mutation and recombination both lead to increases in genetic diversity in a region-specific manner, while complex demographic patterns shape patterns of diversity on a more global scale. The X chromosome is particularly interesting because it contains several distinct regions that are subject to different combinations and strengths of these processes, notably the pseudoautosomal regions (PARs) and the X-transposed region (XTR). The X chromosome thus can serve as a unique model for studying how genetic and demographic forces act in different contexts to shape patterns of observed variation. Here we investigate diversity, divergence, and linkage disequilibrium in each region of the X chromosome using genomic data from 26 human populations. We find that both diversity and substitution rate are consistently elevated in PAR1 and the XTR compared to the rest of the X chromosome. In contrast, linkage disequilibrium is lowest in PAR1 and highest on the non-recombining X chromosome, with the XTR falling in between, suggesting that the XTR (usually included in the non-recombining X) may need to be considered separately in future studies. We also observed strong population-specific effects on genetic diversity; not only does genetic variation differ on the X and autosomes among populations, but the effects of linked selection on the X relative to autosomes have been shaped by population-specific history. The substantial variation in patterns of variation across these regions provides insight into the unique evolutionary history contained within the X chromosome.Significance StatementDemography and selection affect the X chromosome differently from non-sex chromosomes. However, the X chromosome can be subdivided into multiple distinct regions that facilitate even more fine-scaled assessment of these processes. Here we study regions of the human X chromosome in 26 populations to find evidence that recombination may be mutagenic in humans and that the X-transposed region may undergo recombination. Further we observe that the effects of selection and demography act differently on the X chromosome relative to the autosomes across human populations. Together, our results highlight profound regional differences across the X chromosome, simultaneously making it an ideal system for exploring the action of evolutionary forces as well as necessitating its careful consideration and treatment in genomic analyses.

scholarly journals Genetic analysis of silver-fir populations in the Beskids

2011 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon Mejnartowicz
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Geographical Distance ◽  
Polymorphic Loci ◽  
Expected Heterozygosity ◽  
Rare Alleles

Twenty-eight isozymic loci were studied in the Beskid Mts., in four populations of common silver-fir (<em>Abies alba</em>): one in Beskid Makowski (BM) and three populations in Beskid Sądecki (BS). Their genetic variation and diversity were analyzed, and Nei's genetic distances between the populations were calculated. The results show that the geographical distance between the BM population and the three BS populations is reflected in genetic distances. The BM population is clearly distinct from the others. It has the lowest genetic diversity (<em>I</em> = <em>0.42</em>), percentage of polymorphic loci <em>(%PoL </em>= <em>64.29</em>) and number of rare alleles (<em>NoRa </em>= <em>5</em>). Besides, the BM population has the highest observed heterozygosity (<em>Ho </em>= <em>0.291</em>), which exceeds the expected heterozygosity (<em>He </em>= <em>0.254</em>), estimated on the basis of the Hardy-Weinberg Principle. On the contrary, BS populations are in the state of equilibrium, which is manifested, in similar values of <em>He </em>= <em>0.262 </em>and <em>Ho </em>= <em>0.264</em>.

scholarly journals Comparison of the effectiveness of ISJ and SSR markers and detection of outlier loci in conservation genetics ofPulsatilla patenspopulations

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Bilska ◽  
Monika Szczecińska
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Conservation Genetics ◽  
Ssr Markers ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Mantel Test ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Functional Variation ◽  
Genetics Research ◽  
Outlier Loci

BackgroundResearch into the protection of rare and endangered plant species involves genetic analyses to determine their genetic variation and genetic structure. Various categories of genetic markers are used for this purpose. Microsatellites, also known as simple sequence repeats (SSR), are the most popular category of markers in population genetics research. In most cases, microsatellites account for a large part of the noncoding DNA and exert a neutral effect on the genome. Neutrality is a desirable feature in evaluations of genetic differences between populations, but it does not support analyses of a population’s ability to adapt to a given environment or its evolutionary potential. Despite the numerous advantages of microsatellites, non-neutral markers may supply important information in conservation genetics research. They are used to evaluate adaptation to specific environmental conditions and a population’s adaptive potential. The aim of this study was to compare the level of genetic variation inPulsatilla patenspopulations revealed by neutral SSR markers and putatively adaptive ISJ markers (intron-exon splice junction).MethodsThe experiment was conducted on 14 Polish populations ofP. patensand threeP. patenspopulations from the nearby region of Vitebsk in Belarus. A total of 345 individuals were examined. Analyses were performed with the use of eight SSR primers specific toP. patensand three ISJ primers.ResultsSSR markers revealed a higher level of genetic variation than ISJ markers (He= 0.609,He= 0.145, respectively). An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that, the overall genetic diversity between the analyzed populations defined by parametersFSTand ΦPTfor SSR (20%) and ΦPTfor ISJ (21%) markers was similar. Analysis conducted in theStructureprogram divided analyzed populations into two groups (SSR loci) and three groups (ISJ markers). Mantel test revealed correlations between the geographic distance and genetic diversity of Polish populations ofP. patensfor ISJ markers, but not for SSR markers.ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that ISJ markers can complement the analyses based on SSRs. However, neutral and adaptive markers should not be alternatively applied. Neutral microsatellite markers cannot depict the full range of genetic variation in a population because they do not enable to analyze functional variation. Although ISJ markers are less polymorphic, they can contribute to the reliability of analyses based on SSRs.

scholarly journals Unusually Low Levels of Genetic Variation among Giardia lamblia Isolates

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 1421-1430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smilja Teodorovic ◽  
John M. Braverman ◽  
Heidi G. Elmendorf
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Giardia Lamblia ◽  
Diarrheal Disease ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Genetic Exchange ◽  
Disease Etiology ◽  
Noncoding Regions ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Low Levels

ABSTRACT Giardia lamblia, an intestinal pathogen of mammals, including humans, is a significant cause of diarrheal disease around the world. Additionally, the parasite is found on a lineage which separated early from the main branch in eukaryotic evolution. The extent of genetic diversity among G. lamblia isolates is insufficiently understood, but this knowledge is a prerequisite to better understand the role of parasite variation in disease etiology and to examine the evolution of mechanisms of genetic exchange among eukaryotes. Intraisolate genetic variation in G. lamblia has never been estimated, and previous studies on interisolate genetic variation have included a limited sample of loci. Here we report a population genetics study of intra- and interisolate genetic diversity based on six coding and four noncoding regions from nine G. lamblia isolates. Our results indicate exceedingly low levels of genetic variation in two out of three G. lamblia groups that infect humans; this variation is sufficient to allow identification of isolate-specific markers. Low genetic diversity at both coding and noncoding regions, with an overall bias towards synonymous substitutions, was discovered. Surprisingly, we found a dichotomous haplotype structure in the third, more variable G. lamblia group, represented by a haplotype shared with one of the homogenous groups and an additional group-specific haplotype. We propose that the distinct patterns of genetic-variation distribution among lineages are a consequence of the presence of genetic exchange. More broadly, our findings have implications for the regulation of gene expression, as well as the mode of reproduction in the parasite.

scholarly journals New data on the genetic diversity of European bison Bison bonasus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Belarus

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (19) ◽  
pp. 45-53
Author(s):  
Kanstantsin V. Homel ◽  
◽  
K. Śliwińska ◽  
Arseni A. Valnisty ◽  
Mikhail E. Nikiforov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
National Park ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Fixation Index ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Genetic Structuring ◽  
The Past ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Expected Heterozygosity

The paper presents data on the assessment of the genetic diversity of five subpopulations of the European bison (Bison bonasus) in Belarus — from the National Park “Belovezhskaya Pushcha”, the National Park “Pripyatsky”, the Osipovichi district (Mogilev area), SEI “Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve” and the Grodno region. In general, the work includes 30 samples of muscle tissue from the collection of Gene bank of wild fauna in SSPA “SPC NAS of Belarus on Bioresources” (Minsk, Belarus). Microsatellites were used as markers to assess genetic diversity, structure, and search for signs of a sharp decline in the size of bison subpopulations in the past. A total of 11 microsatellite markers were used, recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for cattle research. The analysis of B. bonasus subpopulation from the NP “Pripyatsky” showed signs of passing through the genetic bottleneck. All studied subpopulations are characterized by a similarly low genetic diversity level in all analyzed indicators (mean number of alleles, allelic diversity, observed and expected heterozygosity). The expected heterozygosity (He) for the three subpopulations from the NP “Belovezhskaya Pushcha”, the NP “Pripyatsky” and from the Osipovichi district ranged from 0.37 to 0.39. For the studied subpopulations, the values of the fixation index were negative. The assessment of the presence of genetic structuring between the subpopulations of bison from the NP “Belovezhskaya Pushcha”, the NP “Pripyatsky” and from the Osipovichi district based on the values of such indexes as Fst and DJost which showed no signs of genetic differentiation, which is also confirmed by principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). The European bison conservation in Belarus has required tremendous efforts in the past. So far, even though the impressively large population size reached in Belarus, B. bonasus status still should not be considered as stable, which is closely linked to aspects of its overall low genetic diversity. Our research confirmed the low genetic variability of Belarusian subpopulations. Therefore, the more extensive research concentrated on identifying genetic diversity is necessary to ensure the beneficial control of gene flow and register a potential correlation of unfavorable gene variants with possible inbreeding depression. These attempts are required to lay the groundwork for the management and protection of the European bison in Belarus.

scholarly journals Genotyping-by-sequencing reveals the effects of riverscape, climate and interspecific introgression on the genetic diversity and local adaptation of the endangered Mexican golden trout (Oncorhynchus chrysogaster)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A. Escalante ◽  
Charles Perrier ◽  
Francisco J. García-De León ◽  
Arturo Ruiz-Luna ◽  
Enrique Ortega-Abboud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Population Genomics ◽  
Landscape Heterogeneity ◽  
Genotyping By Sequencing ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Evolutionary Potential

AbstractHow environmental and anthropogenic factors influence genetic variation and local adaptation is a central issue in evolutionary biology. The Mexican golden trout (Oncorhynchus chrysogaster), one of the southernmost native salmonid species in the world, is susceptible to climate change, habitat perturbations and the competition and hybridization with exotic rainbow trout (O. mykiss). The present study aimed for the first time to use genotyping-by-sequencing to explore the effect of genetic hybridization with O. mykiss and of riverscape and climatic variables on the genetic variation among O. chrysogaster populations. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was applied to generate 9767 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), genotyping 272 O. chrysogaster and O. mykiss. Population genomics analyses were combined with landscape ecology approaches into a riverine context (riverscape genetics). The clustering analyses detected seven different genetic groups (six for O. chrysogater and one for aquaculture O. mykiss) and a small amount of admixture between aquaculture and native trout with only two native genetic clusters showing exotic introgression. Latitude and precipitation of the driest month had a significant negative effect on genetic diversity and evidence of isolation by river resistance was detected, suggesting that the landscape heterogeneity was preventing trout dispersal, both for native and exotic individuals. Moreover, several outlier SNPs were identified as potentially implicated in local adaptation to local hydroclimatic variables. Overall, this study suggests that O. chrysogater may require conservation planning given i) exotic introgression from O. mykiss locally threatening O. chrysogater genetic integrity, and ii) putative local adaptation but low genetic diversity and hence probably reduced evolutionary potential especially in a climate change context.

scholarly journals The Sensitiveness of Expected Heterozygosity and Allelic Richness Estimates for Analyzing Population Genetic Diversity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Eugenia Barrandeguy ◽  
María Victoria García
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Genetic Drift ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Allelic Richness ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Computational Simulations ◽  
Expected Heterozygosity

Genetic diversity comprises the total of genetic variability contained in a population and it represents the fundamental component of changes since it determines the microevolutionary potential of populations. There are several measures for quantifying the genetic diversity, most notably measures based on heterozygosity and measures based on allelic richness, i.e. the expected number of alleles in populations of same size. These measures differ in their theoretical background and, in consequence, they differ in their ecological and evolutionary interpretations. Therefore, in the present chapter these measures of genetic diversity were jointly analyzed, highlighting the changes expected as consequence of gene flow and genetic drift. To develop this analysis, computational simulations of extreme scenarios combining changes in the levels of gene flow and population size were performed.

scholarly journals Regional Polymorphism Assessment of Myanmar ‘Sein Ta Lone’ Mango (Mangifera indica Linn) from Sintgaing Township Based on Microsatellite Markers

1970 ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
May Sandar Kyaing ◽  
Sein Sandar May Phyo
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Microsatellite Markers ◽  
Mangifera Indica ◽  
Germplasm Management ◽  
Upgma Dendrogram ◽  
Expected Heterozygosity ◽  
Upgma Cluster Analysis ◽  
Relationship Of

This study was conducted to explore the genetic diversity and relationship of Sein Ta Lone mango cultivars among 20 commercial orchards in Sintgaing Township, Mandalay region. Nine microsatellite (SSR) markers were used to detect genetic polymorphism in a range from (3 to 6) alleles with (4.33) alleles per marker in average. Six out of nine microsatellite markers gave the PIC values of greater than (0.5). Among them, SSR36 held the highest PIC values of (0.691) while MiSHRS39 and MN85 possessed the least PIC values of (0.368) and (0.387) respectively. The genetic diversity was expressed as unbiased expected heterozygosity (UHe) value with an average of (0.561). The genetic relationship was revealed by (UPGMA) dendrogram in a range of (0.69 to 1.00). Based on UPGMA cluster analysis, three main clusters were classified among three different locations. This study was intended to help cultivar characterization and conservation for proper germplasm management with the estimation of genetic variation and relationship in the existing population of Sein Ta Lone mangoes in Sintgaing Township by microsatellite markers.  

scholarly journals The pattern of neutral molecular variation under the background selection model.

Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 141 (4) ◽  
pp. 1619-1632 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Charlesworth ◽  
B Charlesworth ◽  
M T Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genomic Region ◽  
Stochastic Simulations ◽  
Background Selection ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Frequency Spectra ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Neutral Locus ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Site Diversity

Abstract Stochastic simulations of the infinite sites model were used to study the behavior of genetic diversity at a neutral locus in a genomic region without recombination, but subject to selection against deleterious alleles maintained by recurrent mutation (background selection). In large populations, the effect of background selection on the number of segregating sites approaches the effect on nucleotide site diversity, i.e., the reduction in genetic variability caused by background selection resembles that caused by a simple reduction in effective population size. We examined, by coalescence-based methods, the power of several tests for the departure from neutral expectation of the frequency spectra of alleles in samples from randomly mating populations (Tajima's, Fu and Li's, and Watterson's tests). All of the tests have low power unless the selection against mutant alleles is extremely weak. In Drosophila, significant Tajima's tests are usually not obtained with empirical data sets from loci in genomic regions with restricted recombination frequencies and that exhibit low genetic diversity. This is consistent with the operation of background selection as opposed to selective sweeps. It remains to be decided whether background selection is sufficient to explain the observed extent of reduction in diversity in regions of restricted recombination.

Genetic consequences of long-term isolation for the last French population of Eryngium viviparum (Apiaceae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Rascle ◽  
Elodie Flaven ◽  
Frédéric Bioret ◽  
Sylvie Magnanon ◽  
Erwan Glemarec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Disjunct Distribution ◽  
French Population ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
The North ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Seasonally Flooded

Abstract Eryngium viviparum (Apiaceae) is an endangered endemic plant of the Atlantic region of Europe, growing in seasonally flooded sites, and is characterized by a highly disjunct distribution. It occurs in just a few sites in the north-western part of the Iberian Peninsula and in a single locality in France. To improve the conservation status of E. viviparum in France, a conservation programme has been implemented to reintroduce the species. Before considering such an operation, genetic studies were conducted to determine the genetic status of the last French population and to identify the genetic source that should be considered for the best reintroduction strategy. Using microsatellite markers, we documented the genetic structure of the last French population and compared its genetic diversity with that of ten Iberian populations, which cover the three geographical regions where the species occurs. As expected, the French population of E. viviparum shows low genetic diversity due to a bottleneck and geographical isolation. The evolutionary potential appears low, with no private alleles in this population. Furthermore, this population is highly differentiated from the Iberian populations in terms of genetic variation and ecological niche. These results bring new questions regarding the conservation of E. viviparum in France, especially for management and reintroduction aimed at favouring genetic diversity and avoiding extinction.

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