scholarly journals One Step Away From Extinction: A Population Genomic Analysis of A Narrow Endemic, Tropical Plant Species

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thais M. Teixeira ◽  
Alison G. Nazareno

Intraspecific genetic variation plays a fundamental role in maintaining the evolutionary potential of wild populations. Hence, the assessment of genetic diversity patterns becomes essential to guide biodiversity conservation policies, particularly for threatened species. To inform management strategies for conservation of Mimosa catharinensis – a narrow endemic, critically endangered plant species – we identified 1,497 unlinked SNP markers derived from a reduced representation sequencing method (i.e., double digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing, or ddRADseq). This set of molecular markers was employed to assess intrapopulation genetic parameters and the demographic history of one extremely small population of M. catharinensis (N=33) located in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Contrary to what is expected for narrow endemic and threatened species with small population sizes, we observed a moderate level of genetic diversity for M. catharinensis [uHE(0%missing data)=0.205, 95% CI (0.160, 0.250); uHE(30%missing data)=0.233, 95% CI (0.174, 0.292)]. Interestingly, M. catharinensis, which is a lianescent shrub with no indication of seed production for at least two decades, presented high levels of outcrossing [t(0%missing data)=0.883, SE±0.0483; t(30%missing data)=0.909, SE±0.011] and an apparent absence of inbreeding [F(0%missing data)=−0.145, 95% CI (−0.189, −0.101); F(30%missing data)=−0.105, 95% CI (−0.199, −0.011)]. However, the reconstruction of demographic history of M. catharinensis indicated that the population should be suffered a recent bottleneck. Our population genomic study tackles a central issue in evolution and conservation biology and we expect that it will be useful to help safeguard the remaining genetic diversity reported for this unique genetic resource.

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sen Song ◽  
Shijie Bao ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Xinkang Bao ◽  
Bei An ◽  
...  

Abstract Pleistocene climate fluctuations have shaped the patterns of genetic diversity observed in extant species. Although the effects of recent glacial cycles on genetic diversity have been well studied on species in Europe and North America, genetic legacy of species in the Pleistocene in north and northwest of China where glaciations was not synchronous with the ice sheet development in the Northern Hemisphere or or had little or no ice cover during the glaciations’ period, remains poorly understood. Here we used phylogeographic methods to investigate the genetic structure and population history of the chukar partridge Alec-toris chukar in north and northwest China. A 1,152 – 1,154 bp portion of the mtDNA CR were sequenced for all 279 specimens and a total number of 91 haplotypes were defined by 113 variable sites. High levels of gene flow were found and gene flow estimates were greater than 1 for most population pairs in our study. The AMOVA analysis showed that 81% and 16% of the total genetic variability was found within populations and among populations within groups, respectively. The demographic history of chukar was examined using neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analyses and results indicated Late Pleistocene population expansion. Results revealed that most populations of chukar experienced population expansion during 0.027 ? 0.06 Ma. These results are at odds with the results found in Europe and North America, where population expansions occurred after Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 0.023 to 0.018 Ma). Our results are not consistent with the results from avian species of Tibetan Plateau, either, where species experienced population expansion following the retreat of the extensive glaciation period (0.5 to 0.175 Ma).


PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. e0184526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorravis Lapbenjakul ◽  
Watcharaporn Thapana ◽  
Panupon Twilprawat ◽  
Narongrit Muangmai ◽  
Thiti Kanchanaketu ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surapon Yodsiri ◽  
Komgrit Wongpakam ◽  
Adisak Ardharn ◽  
Chadaporn Senakun ◽  
Sutthira Khumkratok

The Mekong River and its tributaries possess the second highest diversity in fish species in the world. However, the fish biodiversity in this river is threatened by several human activities, such as hydropower plant construction. Understanding the genetic diversity and genetic structure of the species is important for natural resource management. Belodontichthys truncatus Kottelat & Ng is endemic to the Mekong River basin and is an important food source for people in this area. In this study, the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and demographic history of the twisted-jaw fish, B. truncatus, were investigated using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences. A total of 124 fish specimens were collected from 10 locations in the Mekong and its tributaries. Relatively high genetic diversity was found in populations of B. truncatus compared to other catfish species in the Mekong River. The genetic structure analysis revealed that a population from the Chi River in Thailand was genetically significantly different from other populations, which is possibly due to the effect of genetic drift. Demographic history analysis indicated that B. truncatus has undergone recent demographic expansion dating back to the end of the Pleistocene glaciation.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orianne Tournayre ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Pons ◽  
Maxime Leuchtmann ◽  
Raphael Leblois ◽  
Sylvain Piry ◽  
...  

AbstractThe greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) is among the most widespread bat species in Europe but it has experienced severe declines, especially in Northern Europe. This species is listed Near Threatened in the European IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals and it is considered to be highly sensitive to human activities and particularly to habitat fragmentation. Therefore, understanding the population boundaries and demographic history of populations of this species is of primary importance to assess relevant conservation strategies. In this study, we used 17 microsatellite markers to assess the genetic diversity, the genetic structure and the demographic history of R. ferrumequinum colonies in the Western European part of its distribution. We found high levels of genetic diversity and large population size on the European mainland and lower estimates in England and Northern France. Analyses of clustering and isolation by distance showed a barrier effect of the Channel and potentially of the Mediterranean Sea on R. ferrumequinum bat dispersal. Conversely, we could not reveal any gene flow disruption from both sides of the Western Pyrenees. These results provide important information to improve the delineation of R. ferrumequinum management units in its western range. We suggest that a large management unit corresponding to the European mainland population must be considered. Particular attention should be given to mating territories as they seem to play a key role in maintaining the high levels of genetic mixing between colonies. Smaller management units corresponding to English and Northern France colonies must also be implemented. These insular or peripheral colonies could be at higher risk of extinction in a near future.


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