Evolutionary potential of hidden genetic variation

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
A LEROUZIC ◽  
O CARLBORG
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Evolutionary Potential

scholarly journals Intraspecific genomic variation and local adaptation in a young hybrid species

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angélica Cuevas ◽  
Mark Ravinet ◽  
Glenn-Peter Sætre ◽  
Fabrice Eroukhmanoff
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Climatic Variation ◽  
Genomic Variation ◽  
Population Divergence ◽  
Parent Species ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Variable Environment ◽  
Hybrid Species ◽  
Species Population

ABSTRACTHybridization increases genetic variation, hence hybrid species may have a strong evolutionary potential once their admixed genomes have stabilized and incompatibilities have been purged. Yet, little is known about how such hybrid lineages evolve at the genomic level following their formation, in particular the characteristics of their adaptive potential, i.e. constraints and facilitations of diversification. Here we investigate how the Italian sparrow (Passer italiae), a homoploid hybrid species, has evolved and locally adapted to its variable environment. Using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) on several populations across the Italian peninsula, we evaluate how genomic constraints and novel genetic variation have influenced population divergence and adaptation. We show that population divergence within this hybrid species has evolved in response to climatic variation. As in non-hybrid species, climatic differences may even reduce gene flow between populations, suggesting ongoing local adaptation. We report outlier genes associated with adaptation to climatic variation, known to be involved in beak morphology in other species. Most of the strongly divergent loci among Italian sparrow populations seem not to be differentiated between its parent species, the house and Spanish sparrow. Within the parental species, population divergence has occurred mostly in loci where different alleles segregate in the parent species, unlike in the hybrid, suggesting that novel combinations of parental alleles in the hybrid have not necessarily enhanced its evolutionary potential. Rather, our study suggests that constraints linked to incompatibilities may have restricted the evolution of this admixed genome, both during and after hybrid species formation.

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 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 Quantifying multivariate genotype-by-environment interactions, evolutionary potential and its context-dependence in natural populations of the water flea, Daphnia magna

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska S. Brunner ◽  
Alan Reynolds ◽  
Ian W. Wilson ◽  
Stephen Price ◽  
Steve Paterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Daphnia Magna ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Thermal Adaptation ◽  
Plastic Response ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Genotype By Environment Interactions ◽  
Additive Genetic Variation ◽  
Genotype By Environment ◽  
Plastic Responses

ABSTRACTGenotype-by-environment interactions (G x E) underpin the evolution of plastic responses in natural populations. Theory assumes that G x E interactions exist but empirical evidence from natural populations is equivocal and difficult to interpret because G x E interactions are normally univariate plastic responses to a single environmental gradient. We compared multivariate plastic responses of 43 Daphnia magna clones from the same population in a factorial experiment that crossed temperature and food environments. Multivariate plastic responses explained more than 30% of the total phenotypic variation in each environment. G x E interactions were detected in most environment combinations irrespective of the methodology used. However, the nature of G x E interactions was context-dependent and led to environment-specific differences in additive genetic variation (G-matrices). Clones that deviated from the population average plastic response were not the same in each environmental context and there was no difference in whether clones varied in the nature (phenotypic integration) or magnitude of their plastic response in different environments. Plastic responses to food were aligned with additive genetic variation (gmax) at both temperatures, whereas plastic responses to temperature were not aligned with additive genetic variation (gmax) in either food environment. These results suggest that fundamental differences may exist in the potential for our population to evolve novel responses to food versus temperature changes, and challenges past interpretations of thermal adaptation based on univariate studies.

scholarly journals A World for Reactive Phenotypes

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Geffroy ◽  
Sébastien Alfonso ◽  
Bastien Sadoul ◽  
Daniel T. Blumstein
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Anthropogenic Disturbances ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Genetic Evolution ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Original Habitat ◽  
Evolutionary Consequences

Humans currently occupy all continents and by doing so, modify the environment and create novel threats to many species; a phenomenon known as human-induced rapid environmental changes (HIREC). These growing anthropogenic disturbances represent major and relatively new environmental challenges for many animals, and invariably alter selection on traits adapted to previous environments. Those species that survive often have moved from their original habitat or modified their phenotype through plasticity or genetic evolution. Based on the most recent advances in this research area, we predict that wild individuals with highly plastic capacities, relatively high basal stress level, and that are generally shy—in other words, individuals displaying a reactive phenotype—should better cope with sudden and widespread HIREC than their counterparts' proactive phenotypes. If true, this selective response would have profound ecological and evolutionary consequences and can therefore impact conservation strategies, specifically with respect to managing the distribution and abundance of individuals and maintaining evolutionary potential. These insights may help design adaptive management strategies to maintain genetic variation in the context of HIREC.

Livestock Effects on Genetic Variation of Creosote Bushes in Patagonian Rangelands

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cintia P. Souto ◽  
Mariana Tadey
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Monte Desert ◽  
Larrea Divaricata

SummaryGenetic diversity is the raw material for species’ persistence over time, providing the potential to survive stochastic events, as well as climate and/or human-induced environmental changes. Biodiversity in dry rangelands is decreasing due to intensification of livestock production, but its effects on the genetic diversity of the consumed biota have seldom been assessed. We examined livestock effects on the genetic diversity of two dominant creosote species of the Patagonian Monte Desert, Larrea divaricata and Larrea cuneifolia. We deployed competing hierarchical regression models to assess the relationship between genetic variation within natural populations as a function of increasing stocking rates on ten arid rangelands. These species exhibit similar levels and patterns of genetic structure, with high levels of both inbreeding and divergence among locations. We found that increased stocking reduces genetic variation and increases genetic subdivision between populations. Our results indicate that grazing pressures are impoverishing the gene pool of these dominant native species of the Monte Desert, decreasing the evolutionary potential of the primary plant producers and increasing the desertification risk for a vulnerable habitat. We highlight the importance of considering livestock as a major driver of genetic losses in dry rangelands under overgrazing pressure, especially given current forecasts of climate change.

scholarly journals Standing genetic variation as the predominant source for adaptation of a songbird

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 2152-2157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Ting Lai ◽  
Carol K. L. Yeung ◽  
Kevin E. Omland ◽  
Er-Li Pang ◽  
Yu Hao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Mainland Population ◽  
Standing Variation ◽  
Trailing Edges ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Genetic Source ◽  
Genomic Regions ◽  
Asian Mainland

What kind of genetic variation contributes the most to adaptation is a fundamental question in evolutionary biology. By resequencing genomes of 80 individuals, we inferred the origin of genomic variants associated with a complex adaptive syndrome involving multiple quantitative traits, namely, adaptation between high and low altitudes, in the vinous-throated parrotbill (Sinosuthora webbiana) in Taiwan. By comparing these variants with those in the Asian mainland population, we revealed standing variation in 24 noncoding genomic regions to be the predominant genetic source of adaptation. Parrotbills at both high and low altitudes exhibited signatures of recent selection, suggesting that not only the front but also the trailing edges of postglacial expanding populations could be subjected to environmental stresses. This study verifies and quantifies the importance of standing variation in adaptation in a cohort of genes, illustrating that the evolutionary potential of a population depends significantly on its preexisting genetic diversity. These findings provide important context for understanding adaptation and conservation of species in the Anthropocene.

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document