scholarly journals The effects of habitat fragmentation on the genetic structure of wild boar (Sus scrofa) population in Lithuania

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Loreta Griciuvienė ◽  
Žygimantas Janeliūnas ◽  
Vaclovas Jurgelevičius ◽  
Algimantas Paulauskas

Abstract Background Wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a widely distributed ungulate whose success can be attributed to a variety of ecological features. The genetic variation and population structure of Lithuania’s wild boar population have not yet been thoroughly studied. The purposes of this study were to investigate the genetic diversity of S. scrofa and assess the effects of habitat fragmentation on the population structure of wild boar in Lithuania. A total of 96 S. scrofa individuals collected from different regions of Lithuania were genotyped using fifteen microsatellite loci. Results The microsatellite analysis of the wild boars indicated high levels of genetic diversity within the population. Microsatellite markers showed evidence of a single panmictic wild boar population in Lithuania according to STRUCTURE’s highest average likelihood, which was K = 1. This was supported by pairwise Fst values and AMOVA, which indicated no differentiation between the four sampling areas. The results of the Mantel test revealed a weak isolation by distance and geographic diversity gradients that persisted between locations. Motorway fencing and heavy traffic were not an effective barrier to wild boar movement. Conclusions There was limited evidence of population genetic structure among the wild boar, supporting the presence of a single population across the study area and indicating that there may be no barriers hindering wild boar dispersal across the landscape. The widespread wild boar population in Lithuania, the high level of genetic variation observed within subpopulations, and the low level of variation identified between subpopulations suggest migration and gene flow between locations. The results of this study should provide valuable information in future for understanding and comparing the detailed structure of wild boar population in Lithuania following the outbreak of African swine fever.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loreta Griciuvienė ◽  
Žygimantas Janeliūnas ◽  
Vaclovas Jurgelevičius ◽  
Algimantas Paulauskas

Abstract Background: Wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a widely distributed ungulate whose success can be attributed to a variety of ecological features. The genetic variation and population structure of wild boar population in Lithuania before the spread of African swine fever has not yet been thoroughly studied. To characterize the amount of genetic variation and population structure of wild boar in Lithuania before the African swine fever outbreak, we genotyped and analyzed microsatellite loci for a total of 96 wild boar specimens from nine locations. Results: In the present study, individuals were genetically typed at fifteen microsatellite loci using multiplex PCR amplification. Our data showed that that 85% of the genetic variation originated from individuals, indicating a high gene exchange between the nine subpopulations of wild boar in Lithuania. Bayesian-based clustering analysis in STRUCTURE identified two inferred genetic clusters and each of the 9 subpopulations had more than 1 cluster. A factorial correspondence analysis confirmed homogeneity and no genetic differentiation between subpopulations of S.scrofa in Lithuania.Conclusions: Our results reveal that wild boar subpopulations of Lithuania before the African swine fever outbreak were still not distinguished and admixed. This study highlights the potential contribution for the future study understanding the detailed structure of wild boar population in Lithuania after African swine fever outbreak.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Ouinsavi ◽  
Nestor Sokpon ◽  
Damase P. Khasa

To accurately estimate the genetic diversity and population structure for improved conservation planning ofMilicia excelsatree, 212 individuals from twelve population samples covering the species' range in Benin were surveyed at seven specific microsatellite DNA loci. All loci were variable, with the mean number of alleles per locus ranging from 5.86 to 7.69. Considerable genetic variability was detected for all populations at the seven loci (AR=4.60;HE=0.811). Moderate but statistically significant genetic differentiation was found among populations considering bothFST(0.112) andRST(0.342). All of the populations showed heterozygosity deficits in test of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and significantly positiveFISvalues due to inbreeding occurring in the species. PairwiseFSTvalues were positively and significantly correlated with geographical distances (r=0.432;P=.007, Mantel's test) indicating that populations are differentiated by “isolation by distance.” Bayesian analysis of population structure showed division of the genetic variation into four clusters revealing the existence of heterogeneity in population genetic structure. Altogether, these results indicate that genetic variation inMilicia excelsais geographically structured. Information gained from this study also emphasized the need for in situ conservation of the relict populations and establishment of gene flow corridors through agroforestry systems for interconnecting these remnant populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-353
Author(s):  
Yuting Lin ◽  
Achyut Kumar Banerjee ◽  
Haidan Wu ◽  
Fengxiao Tan ◽  
Hui Feng ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Pluchea indica is a mangrove-associate species, known for its medicinal properties in its native range and being invasive in part of its introduced range. This study aimed to assess geographic distribution of genetic variation of this species across its distribution range, identify the factors influencing its genetic structure and use this information to suggest conservation and management strategies in its native and introduced ranges, respectively. Methods We assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of 348 individuals from 31 populations across its native (Asia) and introduced (USA) ranges for 15 nuclear microsatellite loci. The spatial pattern of genetic variation was investigated at both large and regional spatial scales with the hypothesis that geographic distance and natural geographic barriers would influence the population structure with varying levels of differentiation across spatial scales. Important Findings We found relatively high genetic diversity at the population level and pronounced genetic differentiation in P. indica, as compared with the genetic diversity parameters of mangroves and mangrove associates in this region. Most of the populations showed heterozygote deficiency, primarily due to inbreeding and impediment of gene flow. Analysis of population structures at large spatial scale revealed the presence of two major clusters across the species’ natural range separating populations in China from those in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and Philippines, and that the USA population might have been introduced from the population cluster in China. Genetic differentiation between populations was also observed at the regional scale. A large number of populations showed evidence of genetic bottleneck, thereby emphasizing the risk of local extinction. Based on these findings, our study recommends in situ conservation strategies, such as to prioritize populations for conservation actions and to maintain genetic diversity.


AoB Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Huang ◽  
Zong-Dian Zhang ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Ying-Qiang Wang

Abstract Habitat fragmentation strongly affects the genetic diversity of plant populations, and this has always attracted much research interest. Although numerous studies have investigated the effects of habitat fragmentation on the genetic diversity of plant populations, fewer studies have compared species with contrasting breeding systems while accounting for phylogenetic distance. Here, we compare the levels of genetic diversity and differentiation within and among subpopulations in metapopulations (at fine-scale level) of two closely related Zingiber species, selfing Zingiber corallinum and outcrossing Zingiber nudicarpum. Comparisons of the genetic structure of species from unrelated taxa may be confounded by the effects of correlated ecological traits or/and phylogeny. Thus, we possibly reveal the differences in genetic diversity and spatial distribution of genetic variation within metapopulations that relate to mating systems. Compared to outcrossing Z. nudicarpum, the subpopulation genetic diversity in selfing Z. corallinum was significantly lower, but the metapopulation genetic diversity was not different. Most genetic variation resided among subpopulations in selfing Z. corallinum metapopulations, while a significant portion of variation resided either within or among subpopulations in outcrossing Z. nudicarpum, depending on whether the degree of subpopulation isolation surpass the dispersal ability of pollen and seed. A stronger spatial genetic structure appeared within subpopulations of selfing Z. corallinum potentially due to restricted pollen flow and seed dispersal. In contrast, a weaker genetic structure was apparent in subpopulations of outcrossing Z. nudicarpum most likely caused by extensive pollen movement. Our study shows that high genetic variation can be maintained within metapopulations of selfing Zingiber species, due to increased genetic differentiation intensified primarily by the stochastic force of genetic drift among subpopulations. Therefore, maintenance of natural variability among subpopulations in fragmented areas is key to conserve the full range of genetic diversity of selfing Zingiber species. For outcrossing Zingiber species, maintenance of large populations is an important factor to enhance genetic diversity.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi-Quan Wang

AbstractPaeonia decomposita, endemic to China, has important ornamental, medicinal and economic value and is regarded as a threatened endangered plant. The genetic diversity and structure have seldom been described. A conservation management plan is not currently available. In present study, 16 pairs of SSR primers were used to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure. A total of 122 alleles were obtained with a mean of 7.625 alleles per locus. The expected heterozygosity (He) varied from 0.043 to 0.901 (mean 0.492). Moderate genetic diversity (He=0.405) among populations were revealed, with Danba identified as the center of genetic diversity. Mantel tests revealed a significant positive correlation between geographic and genetic distance among populations (r=0.592, P=0.0001), demonstrating consistency with the isolation by distance model. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) results indicated that the principal genetic variation existed within populations (73.48%) rather than among populations (26.52%). Bayesian structure analysis and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) supported classification of the populations into three clusters. Based on the level of observed genetic diversity, three management unints were proposed as conservation measures. The results will be beneficial for the conservation and exploitation of the species, providing a theoretical basis for further research on its evolution and phylogeography.HightlightsGenetic diversity among populations was moderate in Paeonia decompositaThere is significant positive correlation between geographic and genetic distance among populations, consistent with the isolation by distance modelPrincipal genetic variation existed within populations rather than among populations.The populations divided into three clusters.Three management unints were proposed as conservation measures.


The Auk ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Rabouam ◽  
Vincent Bretagnolle ◽  
Yves Bigot ◽  
Georges Periquet

Abstract We used DNA fingerprinting to assess genetic structure of populations in Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea). We analyzed mates and parent-offspring relationships, as well as the amount and distribution of genetic variation within and among populations, from the level of subcolony to subspecies. We found no evidence of extrapair fertilization, confirming that the genetic breeding system matches the social system that has been observed in the species. Mates were closely related, and the level of genetic relatedness within populations was within the range usually found in inbred populations. In contrast to previous studies based on allozymes and mtDNA polymorphism, DNA fingerprinting using microsatellites revealed consistent levels of genetic differentiation among populations. However, analyzing the two subspecies separately revealed that the pattern of genetic variation among populations did not support the model of isolation by distance. Natal dispersal, as well as historic and/or demographic events, probably contributed to shape the genetic structure of populations in the species.


2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence J. Clarke ◽  
Duncan I. Jardine ◽  
Margaret Byrne ◽  
Kelly Shepherd ◽  
Andrew J. Lowe

Atriplex sp. Yeelirrie Station (L. Trotter & A. Douglas LCH 25025) is a highly restricted, potentially new species of saltbush, known from only two sites ~30 km apart in central Western Australia. Knowledge of genetic structure within the species is required to inform conservation strategies as both populations occur within a palaeovalley that contains significant near-surface uranium mineralisation. We investigate the structure of genetic variation within populations and subpopulations of this taxon using nuclear microsatellites. Internal transcribed spacer sequence data places this new taxon within a clade of polyploid Atriplex species, and the maximum number of alleles per locus suggests it is hexaploid. The two populations possessed similar levels of genetic diversity, but exhibited a surprising level of genetic differentiation given their proximity. Significant isolation by distance over scales of less than 5 km suggests dispersal is highly restricted. In addition, the proportion of variation between the populations (12%) is similar to that among A. nummularia populations sampled at a continent-wide scale (several thousand kilometres), and only marginally less than that between distinct A. nummularia subspecies. Additional work is required to further clarify the exact taxonomic status of the two populations. We propose management recommendations for this potentially new species in light of its highly structured genetic variation.


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