scholarly journals Management programs as a key factor for genetic conservation of small populations : The case of French local chicken breeds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendal Restoux ◽  
Xavier Rognon ◽  
Agathe Vieaud ◽  
Daniel Guémené ◽  
Florence Petitjean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Genetic Conservation ◽  
Pedigree Information ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Integrated Programs ◽  
Chicken Breeds ◽  
Molecular Information

On-going climate change will drastically modify agriculture in the future, with a need for more sustainable systems, for animal production in particular. In this context, genetic diversity is a key factor for adaptation to new conditions: local breeds are likely to harbor unique adaptive features and represent a key component of diversity to reach resilience. Nevertheless, they are often suffering from small population size putting these valuable resources at risk of extinction. In chickens, management programs have been initiated a few decades ago in France, relying on a particular niche market aiming at promoting and protecting local breeds. We conducted a unique comprehensive study of 23 French local populations, along with 4 commercial lines, to evaluate their genetic conservation status and the efficiency of management programs. Using a 57K SNP chip we demonstrated that both between and within breeds genetic diversity were high in French populations. Diversity was mainly structured according to selection and breeds' history. Nevertheless, we observed a prominent sub-structuring of breeds according to farmer's practices in terms of exchange, leading to more or less isolated flocks. Analyzing demographic parameters as well as molecular information, we showed the efficiency of consistent management programs to conserve genetic diversity, since the earlier the breeds integrated programs the lower was the inbreeding. Finally we stressed that management programs can benefit from molecular markers and runs of homozygosity, ROH, in particular, as a valuable and affordable tool to monitor genetic diversity of local breeds which often lack pedigree information.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide SNP Analysis Reveals the Population Structure and the Conservation Status of 23 Italian Chicken Breeds

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1441
Author(s):  
Filippo Cendron ◽  
Francesco Perini ◽  
Salvatore Mastrangelo ◽  
Marco Tolone ◽  
Andrea Criscione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Snp Array ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Snp Analysis ◽  
Runs Of Homozygosity ◽  
Chicken Breeds

The genomic variability of local Italian chicken breeds, which were monitored under a conservation plan, was studied using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to understand their genetic diversity and population structure. A total of 582 samples from 23 local breeds and four commercial stocks were genotyped using the Affymetrix 600 K Chicken SNP Array. In general, the levels of genetic diversity, investigated through different approaches, were lowest in the local chicken breeds compared to those in the commercial stocks. The level of genomic inbreeding, based on runs of homozygosity (FROH), was markedly different among the breeds and ranged from 0.121 (Valdarnese) to 0.607 (Siciliana). In all breeds, short runs of homozygosity (ROH) (<4 Mb in length) were more frequent than long segments. The patterns of genetic differentiation, model-based clustering, and neighbor networks showed that most breeds formed non-overlapping clusters and were clearly separate populations, which indicated the presence of gene flow, especially among breeds that originated from the same geographical area. Four genomic regions were identified as hotspots of autozygosity (islands) among the breeds, where the candidate genes are involved in morphological traits, such as body weight and feed conversion ratio. We conclude that the investigated breeds have conserved authentic genetic patterns, and these results can improve conservation strategies; moreover, the conservation of local breeds may play an important role in the local economy as a source of high-quality products for consumers.

scholarly journals Characterizing the genetic diversity of the Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth.) across the Ecuadorian Highlands

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Vega-Polo ◽  
Maria M. Cobo ◽  
Andrea Argudo ◽  
Bernardo Gutierrez ◽  
Jennifer Rowntree ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Andean Region ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Distance Model

AbstractThe Ecuadorian páramo, a high altitude tundra-like ecosystem, is a unique source of various ecosystem services and distinct biodiversity. Anthropogenic activities are associated with its fragmentation, which alters ecological factors and directly threatens resident species. Vaccinium floribundum Kunth., commonly known as Andean blueberry or mortiño, is a wild shrub endemic to the Andean region and highly valued in Ecuador for its berries, which are widely used in food preparations and hold an important cultural value. Since it is a wild species, mortiño could be vulnerable to environmental changes, resulting in a reduction of the size and distribution of its populations. To evaluate the extent of these effects on the mortiño populations, we assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of the species along the Ecuadorian highlands. We designed and developed a set of 30 homologous SSR markers and used 16 of these to characterize 100 mortiño individuals from 27 collection sites. Our results revealed a high degree of genetic diversity (HE=0.73) for the Ecuadorian mortiño, and a population structure analyses suggested the existence of distinct genetic clusters present in the northern, central and southern highlands. A fourth, clearly differentiated cluster was also found and included individuals from locations at higher elevations. We suggest that the population structure of the species could be explained by an isolation-by-distance model and can be associated to the geological history of the Andean region. Our results suggest that elevation could also be a key factor in the differentiation of mortiño populations. This study provides an extensive overview of the species across its distribution range in Ecuador, contributing to a better understanding of its conservation status. These results can assist the development of conservation programs for this valuable biological and cultural resource and for the páramo ecosystems as a whole.

scholarly journals Characterizing the genetic diversity of the Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth.) across the Ecuadorian Highlands

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243420
Author(s):  
Pamela Vega-Polo ◽  
Maria Mercedes Cobo ◽  
Andrea Argudo ◽  
Bernardo Gutierrez ◽  
Jennifer Rowntree ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Andean Region ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Species Specific

The Ecuadorian páramo, a high altitude tundra-like ecosystem, is a unique source of various ecosystem services and distinct biodiversity. Anthropogenic activities are associated with its fragmentation, which alters ecological factors and directly threatens resident species. Vaccinium floribundum Kunth., commonly known as Andean blueberry or mortiño, is a wild shrub endemic to the Andean region and highly valued in Ecuador for its berries, which are widely used in food preparations and hold an important cultural value. Since it is a wild species, mortiño could be vulnerable to environmental changes, resulting in a reduction of the size and distribution of its populations. To evaluate the extent of these effects on the mortiño populations, we assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of the species along the Ecuadorian highlands. We designed and developed a set of 30 species-specific SSR (simple sequence repeats) markers and used 16 of these to characterize 100 mortiño individuals from 27 collection sites. Our results revealed a high degree of genetic diversity (HE = 0.73) for the Ecuadorian mortiño, and a population structure analyses suggested the existence of distinct genetic clusters present in the northern, central and southern highlands. A fourth, clearly differentiated cluster was also found and included individuals from locations at higher elevations. We suggest that the population structure of the species could be explained by an isolation-by-distance model and can be associated with the geological history of the Andean region. Our results suggest that elevation could also be a key factor in the differentiation of mortiño populations. This study provides an extensive overview of the species across its distribution range in Ecuador, contributing to a better understanding of its conservation status. These results can assist in the development of conservation programs for this valuable biological and cultural resource and for the páramo ecosystem as a whole.

scholarly journals Conservation biology of threatened Mediterranean chasmophytes: The case of Asperula naufraga endemic to Zakynthos island (Ionian islands, Greece)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Thalassini Valli ◽  
Vassiliki Lila Koumandou ◽  
Gregoris Iatrou ◽  
Marios Andreou ◽  
Vasileios Papasotiropoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Ionian Islands ◽  
Small Population Size ◽  
Area Of Occupancy

Asperula naufraga is a rare and threatened obligate chasmophyte, endemic to Zakynthos island (Ionian islands, Greece). In this study, we provide a combined approach (including monitoring of demographic and reproductive parameters and study of genetic diversity) to assess the current conservation status of the species and to estimate its future extinction risk. The five subpopulations of A. naufraga were monitored for five years (2014–2018). Population size markedly fluctuated between 68–130 mature individuals during the monitoring period. The extent of occurrence (EOO) was estimated at 28.7 km2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) was 8 km2. Stage-structure recordings were similar for all subpopulations, characterized by high proportions of adult and senescent individuals, following a common pattern, which has been observed in other cliff-dwelling plants. Preliminary genetic analysis with SSRs markers revealed low heterozygosity within subpopulations and significant departure from H-W equilibrium, which combined with small population size suggest increased threat of genetic diversity loss. Our results indicate that the species should be placed in the Critically Endangered (CR) IUCN threat category, while according to Population Viability Analysis results its extinction risk increases to 47.8% in the next 50 years. The small population size combined with large fluctuations in its size, low recruitment and low genetic diversity, indicate the need of undertaking effective in situ and ex situ conservation measures.

Evolutionary genetics of small populations

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Frankham ◽  
Jonathan D. Ballou ◽  
Katherine Ralls ◽  
Mark D. B. Eldridge ◽  
Michele R. Dudash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Evolutionary Genetics ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Genetic Management ◽  
Evolutionary Genetic ◽  
Loss Of Genetic Diversity ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Genetic management of fragmented populations involves the application of evolutionary genetic theory and knowledge to alleviate problems due to inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity in small population fragments. Populations evolve through the effects of mutation, natural selection, chance (genetic drift) and gene flow (migration). Large outbreeding, sexually reproducing populations typically contain substantial genetic diversity, while small populations typically contain reduced levels. Genetic impacts of small population size on inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity and population differentiation are determined by the genetically effective population size, which is usually much smaller than the number of individuals.

scholarly journals Microsatellite genotyping from faeces of Lontra longicaudis from southern Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura I. Weber ◽  
Cintia G. Hildebrand ◽  
Anderson Ferreira ◽  
Gustavo Pedarassi ◽  
José A. Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
High Level ◽  
Degree Of Differentiation ◽  
Lontra Longicaudis

A genetic study of the neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818), which has an unknown conservation status, was carried out at the Taim Ecological Station and the margins of the Vargas stream, Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Faecal samples were collected, and DNA was extracted using a silica-guanidine method. Five microsatellite loci were amplified using PCR with heterologous primers previously described for Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758). Sixteen faecal samples out of 29 from Taim and 11 out of 14 from Vargas stream margins contained enough DNA for genetic analysis. A total of 49 different alleles were found at both localities, from which 18 were exclusively found in individuals from Taim and 17 were exclusives from Vargas individuals. The most common allele was the same at both locations for three loci (Lut715, Lut733, and Lut818). A high level of genetic diversity was found at both sites (NeTaim=4.1, HoTaim=0.299, HeTaim=0.681; NeVargas=4.9, HoVargas=0.355, HeVargas=0.724), being higher at the Vargas stream site. A high and significant level of heterozygote deficiency was observed at most loci according to the χ2 test. The homogeneity χ2 test (P<0.001) showed that there were significant differences in the allele frequencies between the two locations. Genotyping for more than one locus was possible in 81.5% of samples, from which only 37% were possible to genotype for more than three loci. A low degree of relatedness was found among individuals from Taim (R=0.055±0.310), but an even lower value of relatedness was found at the Vargas site (R= -0.285±0.440). The significant degree of differentiation (I=0.890; F ST=0.059) found between Taim and Vargas individuals suggests that there is more than one population of otters in the southern extreme of Brazil, which probably are associated with the water body systems found in this region, the Mirim and the Caiuvá/Flores/Mangueira Lagoons. The high genetic diversity and low relatedness found at the Vargas stream, lead us to believe that the Vargas stream may be acting as a corridor between these water bodies for otter dispersion.

scholarly journals A new species of Cochemiea (Cactaceae, Cacteae) from Sinaloa, Mexico

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leccinum Jesús García Morales ◽  
Rodrigo Homero González González ◽  
Jesús García Jiménez ◽  
Duilio Iamonico
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
The North ◽  
Hummingbird Pollination ◽  
Diagnostic Key ◽  
A New Species

Background and Aims: Cochemiea is a genus which currently comprises five species occurring in Mexico. It is morphologically characterized by cylindrical decumbent to prostrate stems and by a long red-scarlet zygomorphic perianth, presumably specialized for hummingbird pollination. As part ofthe ongoing taxonomic studies on the North Mexican flora, a population discovered by Thomas Linzen in 2012 in central Sinaloa (Mexico), previously identified as Mammillaria sp., actually refers to a Cochemiea species and cannot be ascribed to any of the known species of that genus. As a consequence,we here propose to describe this population as a a new species for science.Methods: The work is based on field surveys (autumn 2018 and spring 2019) in central Sinaloa, examination of herbarium specimens, and analysis of relevant literature. Its conservation status was assessed following the guidelines of the IUCN; AOO and EOO were calculated with the programGeoCAT.Key results: Cochemiea thomasii is described and illustrated from Sinaloa. The new species is morphologically similar to C. halei from which it differs by the hanging stems, the larger conical tubercles, less numerous and shorter central spines, and the ovoid fruits. A diagnostic key of the knownCochemiea species is included.Conclusions: Cochemiea thomasii is endemic to the state of Sinaloa where it occupies a small area. On the basis of the criteria B2a (geographic range) and C (small population) of IUCN, the new species can be assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) or Vulnerable (VU). Adopting the precautionary approach, Cochemiea thomasii is considered as Critically Endangered (CR).

scholarly journals Using pedigree information to study genetic diversity and re-evaluating a selection program in an experimental flock of Afshari sheep

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Ghafouri-Kesbi
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Phenotypic Selection ◽  
Reference Population ◽  
Pedigree Information ◽  
Selection Experiment ◽  
Founder Population ◽  
Effective Number ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Closed Population

Abstract. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the inbreeding consequences of a short-term selection experiment which was initiated in 1998 in an Afshari sheep flock. Moreover, the conducted selection experiment was re-evaluated through assessing change in ranking of the first 10 influential ancestors when their genetic contributions were replaced with their breeding values. A total of 1714 animals were registered in the herdbook with a founder population comprised of 243 animals. The average coancestry (f) and inbreeding (F) in the reference population were 2.1% and 1.2%, respectively. Estimated value of the effective population size (Ne) was 50. The effective number of founders (fe) was estimated to be 40 and the effective number of ancestors (fa) was 34. Estimates of breeding values revealed that owing to phenotypic selection some ancestors with lower breeding values had greater contribution to the reference genome than those with greater breeding values and, for this reason, the population has been deprived from the maximum genetic improvement that could be achieved if selection was based on breeding values. The effective number of founder genomes (fg) was computed to be 23 and the effective number of non-founder genomes (fne) was 55. The index of genetic diversity decreased by almost 2.2% over the period studied. In general, decrease in genetic variability was low and Ne was not very low for a small-closed population under selection, indicating even in populations which undergo selection, besides achieving genetic gain, the rate of inbreeding is controllable if matings carefully planned.

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