scholarly journals Landscape genomics of an obligate mutualism: discordant population structures between a leafcutter-ant and its fungal cultivars

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad C. Smith ◽  
Jesse N. Weber ◽  
Alexander S. Mikheyev ◽  
Flavio Roces ◽  
Martin Bollazzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Genotyping By Sequencing ◽  
Range Limit ◽  
Range Margin ◽  
Landscape Genomics ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Obligate Mutualism

AbstractTo explore landscape genomics at the range limit of an obligate mutualism, we used genotyping-by-sequencing (ddRADseq) to quantify population structure and the effect of hostsymbiont interactions between the northernmost fungus-farming leafcutter ant Atta texana and its two main types of cultivated fungus. At local scales, genome-wide differentiation between ants associated with either of the two fungal types is greater than the differentiation associated with the abiotic factors temperature and precipitation, suggesting that specific ant-fungus genome-genome combinations may have been favored by selection. For the ant hosts, we found a broad cline of genetic structure across the range, and a reduction of genetic diversity along the axis of range expansion towards the range margin. In contrast, genetic structure was patchy in the cultivated fungi, with no consistent reduction of fungal genetic diversity at the range margins. This discordance in population-genetic structure between ant hosts and fungal symbionts is surprising because the ant farmers co-disperse with their vertically-transmitted fungal symbionts, but apparently the fungi disperse occasionally also through between-nest horizontal transfer or other unknown dispersal mechanisms. The discordance in populationgenetic structure indicates that genetic drift and gene flow differ in magnitude between each partner in this leafcutter mutualism. Together, these findings imply that variation in the strength of drift and gene flow experienced by each mutualistic partner affects adaptation to environmental stress at the range margin, and genome-genome interactions between host and symbiont influences adaptive genetic differentiation of the host during range evolution in this obligate mutualism.

scholarly journals Population Genetic Structure and Habitat Connectivity for Jaguar (Panthera onca) Conservation in Central Belize.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelica Menchaca ◽  
Natalia Rossi ◽  
Jeremy Froidevaux ◽  
Isabela Dias-freedman ◽  
Anthony Caragiulo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Panthera Onca ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Landscape Permeability ◽  
Forest Reserve

Abstract Connectivity among jaguar (Panthera onca) populations will ensure natural gene flow and the long-term survival of the species throughout its range. Jaguar conservation efforts have focused primarily on connecting suitable habitat in a broad-scale. Accelerated habitat reduction, human-wildlife conflict, limited funding, and the complexity of jaguar behaviour have proven challenging to maintain connectivity between populations effectively. Here, we used non-invasive genetic sampling and individual-based conservation genetic analyses to assess genetic diversity and levels of genetic connectivity between individuals in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Maya Forest Corridor. We used expert knowledge and scientific literature to develop models of landscape permeability based on circuit theory with fine-scale landscape features as ecosystem types, distance to human settlements and roads to predict the most probable jaguar movement across central Belize. Results We used 12 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci to identify 50 individual jaguars. We detected high levels of genetic diversity across loci (HE= 0.61, HO= 0.55, and NA=9.33). Using Bayesian clustering and multivariate models to assess gene flow and genetic structure, we identified one single group of jaguars (K = 1). We identified critical areas for jaguar movement that fall outside the boundaries of current protected areas in central Belize. We detected two main areas of high landscape permeability in a stretch of approximately 18 km between Sittee River Forest Reserve and Manatee Forest Reserve that may increase functional connectivity and facilitate jaguar dispersal from and to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Our analysis provides important insights on fine-scale genetic and landscape connectivity of jaguars in central Belize, an area of conservation concern. Conclusions The results of our study demonstrate high levels of relatively recent gene flow for jaguars between two study sites in central Belize. Our landscape analysis detected corridors of expected jaguar movement between the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Maya Forest Corridor. We highlight the importance of maintaining already established corridors and consolidating new areas that further promote jaguar movement across suitable habitat beyond the boundaries of currently protected areas. Continued conservation efforts within identified corridors will further maintain and increase genetic connectivity in central Belize.

scholarly journals Targeted Sequencing Suggests Wild-Crop Gene Flow Is Central to Different Genetic Consequences of Two Independent Pumpkin Domestications

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather R. Kates ◽  
Fernando López Anido ◽  
Guillermo Sánchez-de la Vega ◽  
Luis E. Eguiarte ◽  
Pamela S. Soltis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Cucurbita Maxima ◽  
Wild Progenitor ◽  
Breeding Potential ◽  
Trait Improvement ◽  
Wild Progenitors

Studies of domestication genetics enrich our understanding of how domestication shapes genetic and morphological diversity. We characterized patterns of genetic variation in two independently domesticated pumpkins and their wild progenitors to assess and compare genetic consequences of domestication. To compare genetic diversity pre- and post-domestication and to identify genes targeted by selection during domestication, we analyzed ∼15,000 SNPs of 48 unrelated accessions, including wild, landrace, and improved lines for each of two pumpkin species, Cucurbita argyrosperma and Cucurbita maxima. Genetic diversity relative to its wild progenitor was reduced in only one domesticated subspecies, C. argyrosperma ssp. argyrosperma. The two species have different patterns of genetic structure across domestication status. Only 1.5% of the domestication features identified for both species were shared between species. These findings suggest that ancestral genetic diversity, wild-crop gene flow, and domestication practices shaped the genetic diversity of two similar Cucurbita crops in different ways, adding to our understanding of how genetic diversity changes during the processes of domestication and how trait improvement impacts the breeding potential of modern crops.

Intact genetic structure and high levels of genetic diversity in bottlenecked sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) populations of the Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada

2000 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 1985-1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E Withler ◽  
Khai D Le ◽  
R John Nelson ◽  
Kristina M Miller ◽  
Terry D Beacham
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
Allelic Diversity ◽  
Lower Proportion ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Rare Alleles ◽  
Genetic Bottlenecks

Analysis of six microsatellite loci in 5800 sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) from 29 Fraser River populations provided little evidence of genetic bottlenecks or mass straying in upper Fraser sockeye salmon resulting from reduced abundances following 1913-1914 rockslides in the Fraser canyon and successive decades of high exploitation. Upper Fraser populations were not characterized by a paucity of rare alleles, a sensitive indicator of populations in which effective size has been recently reduced. Heterozygosity and allelic diversity did not differ consistently between lower and upper Fraser populations. Throughout the watershed, early-migrating populations had lower allelic diversity and a lower proportion of rare alleles than did late-migrating ones. Genetic differentiation between upper and lower Fraser populations and heterogeneity among lower Fraser populations supported the suggestion that Fraser sockeye salmon are descendants of at least two postglacial "races." Variation among lakes within regions was the strongest component of genetic structure, accounting for five times the variation among populations within lakes and more than two times the variation among regions. Extensive historical transplants of eggs and juveniles apparently resulted in lit tle gene flow among regions, but three populations were reestablished or rebuilt as the result of more recent transplants.

scholarly journals Population genomics and demographic sampling of the ant-plant Vachellia drepanolobium and its symbiotic ants from sites across its range in East Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Boyle ◽  
Dino Martins ◽  
Paul M. Musili ◽  
Naomi E. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Population Genomics ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Landscape Genomics ◽  
Abiotic Conditions ◽  
Environmental Perturbations ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThe association between the African ant plant, Vachellia drepanolobium, and the ants that inhabit it has provided insight into the boundaries between mutualism and parasitism, the response of symbioses to environmental perturbations, and the ecology of species coexistence. We use a landscape genomics approach at sites sampled throughout the range of this system in Kenya to investigate the demographics and genetic structure of the different partners in the association. We find that different species of ant associates of V. drepanolobium show striking differences in their spatial distribution throughout Kenya, and these differences are only partly correlated with abiotic factors. A comparison of the population structure of the host plant and its three obligately arboreal ant symbionts, Crematogaster mimosae, Crematogaster nigriceps, and Tetraponera penzigi, shows that the ants exhibit somewhat similar patterns of structure throughout each of their respective ranges, but that this does not correlate in any clear way with the respective genetic structure of the populations of their host plants. A lack of evidence for local coadaptation in this system suggests that all partners have evolved to cope with a wide variety of biotic and abiotic conditions.

scholarly journals Genetic structure of Oryza glumaepatula wild rice populations and evidence of introgression from O. sativa in Costa Rica

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J Fuchs ◽  
Allan Meneses Martínez ◽  
Amanda Calvo ◽  
Melania Muñoz ◽  
Griselda Arrieta-Espinoza
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Wild Species ◽  
Wild Rice ◽  
Wild Rice Species ◽  
Genetic Diversity And Structure ◽  
Diversity Estimates ◽  
Oryza Glumaepatula

Wild crop relatives are an important source of genetic diversity for crop improvement. However, gene flow from cultivated species into wild species may prove detrimental. Introgression may lead to changes in wild species by incorporating alleles from domesticated species, which may increase the likelihood of extinction. The objective of the present study is to analyze how genetic diversity is distributed within and among populations of the wild rice species Oryza glumaepatula in Costa Rica. We also evaluated if there is evidence of introgression between wild rice and commercial varieties of O. sativa since it is cultivated commonly in close proximity to wild rice populations. Individuals from all known O. glumaepatula populations in Costa Rica were collected. With the aid of 455 AFLP markers, we characterized the genetic diversity and structure among seven populations in northern Costa Rica. Given the dominant nature of our markers, Bayesian estimates of genetic structure were used. We also compared genetic diversity estimates between O. glumaepatula individuals and O. sativa commercial rice. Our results show that O. glumaepatula populations in Costa Rica have moderately high levels of genetic diversity, comparable to those found in South American populations. This is likely a result of large population size. Despite the restricted distributions of this wild species, in Costa Rica most populations are composed of several thousand individuals, thus reducing the effects of drift on genetic diversity. Our results also found low but significant structure (\theta=0.03±0.001) among populations that are separated by ~10 Km within a single river. The position of the population along the river did not influence genetic diversity estimates or differences among populations. This river does not have a strong current and meadows or seeds may easily move upstream, thus homogenizing genetic diversity across populations regardless of river position. Ample gene flow through pollen, seeds or detached culms within the same river reduces genetic structure. A Bayesian structure analysis showed that individuals from two populations share a significant proportion of their genomes with O. sativa genome. These results suggest that the low levels of genetic structure found in these populations are likely the result of introgression from cultivated O. sativa populations. These results expose an important biohazard as recurrent hybridization may reduce genetic diversity of this wild rice species. Introgression may transfer commercial traits into the only populations of O. glumaepatula in Costa Rica, which in turn could alter genetic diversity and increase the likelihood of local extinction. These results have important implications for in situ conservation strategies of the only wild populations of O. glumaepatula in Costa Rica.

scholarly journals Population Genetic Structure and Habitat Connectivity for Jaguar (Panthera onca) Conservation in Central Belize.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelica Menchaca ◽  
Natalia Rossi ◽  
Jeremy Froidevaux ◽  
Isabela Dias-freedman ◽  
Anthony Caragiulo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Panthera Onca ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Landscape Permeability ◽  
Forest Reserve

Abstract Background Connectivity among jaguar (Panthera onca) populations will ensure natural gene flow and the long-term survival of the species throughout its range. Jaguar conservation efforts have focused primarily on connecting suitable habitat in a broad-scale. Accelerated habitat reduction, human-wildlife conflict, limited funding, and the complexity of jaguar behaviour have proven challenging to maintain connectivity between populations effectively. Here, we used non-invasive genetic sampling and individual-based conservation genetic analyses to assess genetic diversity and levels of genetic connectivity between individuals in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Maya Forest Corridor. We used expert knowledge and scientific literature to develop models of landscape permeability based on circuit theory with fine-scale landscape features as ecosystem types, distance to human settlements and roads to predict the most probable jaguar movement across central Belize. Results We used 12 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci to identify 50 individual jaguars. We detected high levels of genetic diversity across loci (HE= 0.61, HO= 0.55, and NA=9.33). Using Bayesian clustering and multivariate models to assess gene flow and genetic structure, we identified one single group of jaguars (K = 1). We identified critical areas for jaguar movement that fall outside the boundaries of current protected areas in central Belize. We detected two main areas of high landscape permeability in a stretch of approximately 18 km between Sittee River Forest Reserve and Manatee Forest Reserve that may increase functional connectivity and facilitate jaguar dispersal from and to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Our analysis provides important insights on fine-scale genetic and landscape connectivity of jaguars in central Belize, an area of conservation concern. Conclusions The results of our study demonstrate high levels of relatively recent gene flow for jaguars between two study sites in central Belize. Our landscape analysis detected corridors of expected jaguar movement between the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Maya Forest Corridor. We highlight the importance of maintaining already established corridors and consolidating new areas that further promote jaguar movement across suitable habitat beyond the boundaries of currently protected areas. Continued conservation efforts within identified corridors will further maintain and increase genetic connectivity in central Belize.

scholarly journals Genetic structure of the threatened West-Pannonian population of Great Bustard (Otis tarda)

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1759
Author(s):  
Jose L. Horreo ◽  
Rainer Raab ◽  
Péter Spakovszky ◽  
Juan Carlos Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Great Bustard ◽  
Single Population ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Otis Tarda ◽  
Hungarian Population ◽  
First Time

The genetic diversity, population structure and gene flow of the Great Bustards (Otis tarda) living in Austria-Slovakia-West Hungary (West-Pannonian region), one of the few populations of this globally threatened species that survives across the Palaearctic, has been assessed for the first time in this study. Fourteen recently developed microsatellite loci identified one single population in the study area, with high values of genetic diversity and gene flow between two different genetic subunits. One of these subunits (Heideboden) was recognized as a priority for conservation, as it could be crucial to maintain connectivity with the central Hungarian population and thus contribute to keeping contemporary genetic diversity. Current conservation efforts have been successful in saving this threatened population from extinction two decades ago, and should continue to guarantee its future survival.

Genetic diversity and gene flow patterns in two riverine plant species with contrasting life-history traits and distributions across a large inland floodplain

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 384
Author(s):  
William Higgisson ◽  
Dianne Gleeson ◽  
Linda Broadhurst ◽  
Fiona Dyer
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Spatial Genetic Structure ◽  
Geographic Distance ◽  
Resource Development ◽  
Water Resource Development ◽  
Floodplain River

Gene flow is a key evolutionary driver of spatial genetic structure, reflecting demographic processes and dispersal mechanisms. Understanding how genetic structure is maintained across a landscape can assist in setting conservation objectives. In Australia, floodplains naturally experience highly variable flooding regimes that structure the vegetation communities. Flooding plays an important role, connecting communities on floodplains and enabling dispersal via hydrochory. Water resource development has changed the lateral-connectivity of floodplain-river systems. One possible consequence of these changes is reduced physical and subsequent genetic connections. This study aimed to identify and compare the population structure and dispersal patterns of tangled lignum (Duma florulenta) and river cooba (Acacia stenophylla) across a large inland floodplain using a landscape genetics approach. Both species are widespread throughout flood prone areas of arid and semiarid Australia. Tangled lignum occurs on floodplains while river cooba occurs along rivers. Leaves were collected from 144 tangled lignum plants across 10 sites and 84 river cooba plants across 6 sites, on the floodplain of the lower and mid Lachlan River, and the Murrumbidgee River, NSW. DNA was extracted and genotyped using DArTseq platforms (double digest RADseq). Genetic diversity was compared with floodplain-river connection frequency, and genetic distance (FST) was compared with river distance, geographic distance and floodplain-river connection frequency between sites. Genetic similarity increased with increasing floodplain-river connection frequency in tangled lignum but not in river cooba. In tangled lignum, sites that experience more frequent flooding had greater genetic diversity and were more genetically homogenous. There was also an isolation by distance effect where increasing geographic distance correlated with increasing genetic differentiation in tangled lignum, but not in river cooba. The distribution of river cooba along rivers facilitates regular dispersal of seeds via hydrochory regardless of river level, while the dispersal of seeds of tangled lignum between patches is dependent on flooding events. The genetic impact of water resource development may be greater for species which occur on floodplains compared with species along river channels.

scholarly journals Population genetic structure and gene flow of rare and endangered Tetraena mongolica Maxim revealed by reduced representation sequencing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Jin ◽  
Huixia Kao ◽  
Shubin Dong
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Population Genetic Structure ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Reduced Representation ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Reduced Representation Sequencing

Abstract BackgroundStudying population genetic structure and gene flow of plant populations and their influence factors is crucial in field of conservation biology, especially rare and endangered plants. Tetraena mongolica Maxim (TM), belong to Zygophyllaceae family, a rare and endangered plant with narrow distribution. Due to excessive logging, urban expansion, industrial development and development of the scenic spot in the last decades, has caused habitat fragments and decline.ResultsIn this study, the genetic diversity, the population genetic structure and gene flow of TM populations were evaluated by reduced representation sequencing technology, a total of more than 133.45 GB high-quality clean reads and 38,097 high-quality SNPs were generated. Analysis based on multiple methods, we found existing TM populations have moderate levels of genetic diversity, very low genetic differentiation and high levels of gene flow between populations. Population structure and principal coordinates analysis showed that 8 TM populations can be divided into two groups, Mantel test detected no significant correlation between geographical distances and genetic distance for the whole sampling. The migration model indicated that the gene flow is more of an north to south migration pattern in history.ConclusionsOur study demonstrate that the present genetic structure is mainly due to habitat fragmentation caused by urban sprawl, industrial development and coal mining. For recommendations of conservation management, all 8 populations should be protected as a whole population, rather than just those in the core area of TM nature reserve, especially the populations near the edge of TM distribution in cities and industrial areas deserve our special protection.

Population genetic structure and migration patterns of Liriomyza sativae in China: moderate subdivision and no Bridgehead effect revealed by microsatellites

2015 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.-T. Tang ◽  
Y. Ji ◽  
Y.-W. Chang ◽  
Y. Shen ◽  
Z.-H. Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Population Genetic Structure ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Mantel Test ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Liriomyza Sativae ◽  
And Migration

AbstractWhile Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae), an important invasive pest of ornamentals and vegetables has been found in China for the past two decades, few studies have focused on its genetics or route of invasive. In this study, we collected 288 L. sativae individuals across 12 provinces to explore its population genetic structure and migration patterns in China using seven microsatellites. We found relatively low levels of genetic diversity but moderate population genetic structure (0.05 < FST < 0.15) in L. sativae from China. All populations deviated significantly from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium due to heterozygote deficiency. Molecular variance analysis revealed that more than 89% of variation was among samples within populations. A UPGMA dendrogram revealed that SH and GXNN populations formed one cluster separate from the other populations, which is in accordance with STRUCTURE and GENELAND analyses. A Mantel test indicated that genetic distance was not correlated to geographic distance (r = −0.0814, P = 0.7610), coupled with high levels of gene flow (M = 40.1–817.7), suggesting a possible anthropogenic influence on the spread of L. sativae in China and on the effect of hosts. The trend of asymmetrical gene flow was from southern to northern populations in general and did not exhibit a Bridgehead effect during the course of invasion, as can be seen by the low genetic diversity of southern populations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document