Contrasting population structures of three Pristis sawfishes with different patterns of habitat use

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 452 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. Phillips ◽  
J. A. Chaplin ◽  
S. C. Peverell ◽  
D. L. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Marine Waters ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Entire Life ◽  
Population Structures ◽  
Using Data

This research demonstrates how population structure differs in elasmobranchs with different patterns of habitat use. Population structure was assessed using data at microsatellite loci in three species of Pristis sawfishes in northern Australian waters. Statistically significant population structure was found in each of P. clavata (FST = 0.021, F′ST = 0.151, P < 0.001) and P. zijsron (FST = 0.026, F′ST = 0.130, P < 0.001), which spend their entire life in marine waters. In contrast, there was no evidence of significant population structure in P. pristis, which uses freshwater rivers as juveniles and marine waters as adults (FST = 0.004, F′ST = 0.029, P = 0.210). When combined with the results of mtDNA analyses from a previous study, the results suggested that dispersal in P. pristis is male-biased, whereas both male and female gene flow are restricted at large spatial scales in each of P. clavata and P. zijsron in Australian waters. The present study has provided the first evidence of sex-biased dispersal in a sawfish.

scholarly journals Range-Wide and Regional Patterns of Population Structure and Genetic Diversity in the Gopher Tortoise

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 497-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Gaillard ◽  
J.R. Ennen ◽  
B.R. Kreiser ◽  
C.P. Qualls ◽  
S.C. Sweat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Genetic Admixture ◽  
Gopher Tortoise ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Genetic Groups

Abstract The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) has experienced dramatic population declines throughout its distribution in the southeastern United States and is federally listed as threatened in the area west of the Tombigbee and Mobile rivers. While there is molecular support for recognizing the listed portion of the range as genetically distinct, other research has suggested that additional population structure exists at both range-wide and regional scales. In this study, we sought to comprehensively define genetic population structure at both spatial scales by doubling the data available in terms of the number of sampling sites, individuals, and microsatellite loci compared to previously published work. We also compared patterns of genetic diversity, gene flow, and demographic history across the range. We collected 933 individuals from 47 sampling sites across the range and genotyped them for 20 microsatellite loci. Our range-wide analyses supported the recognition of five genetic groups (or regions) delineated by the Tombigbee and Mobile rivers, Apalachicola and Chattahoochee rivers, and the transitional areas between several physiographic province sections of the Coastal Plains (i.e., Eastern Gulf, Sea Island, and Floridian). We found genetic admixture at sampling sites along the boundaries of these genetically defined groups. We detected some degree of additional genetic structure within each of the five regions. Notably, within the range listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, we found some support for two additional genetic groups loosely delineated by the Pascagoula and Chickasawhay rivers, and we detected four more genetic groups within the Florida region that seemed to reflect the influence of the local physiography. Additionally, our range-wide analysis found the periphery of the range had lower levels of genetic diversity relative to the core. We suggest that the five main genetic groups delineated in our study warrant recognition as management units in terms of conservation planning. Intraregional population structure also points to the potential importance of other barriers to gene flow at finer spatial scales, although additional work is needed to better delineate these genetic groups.

scholarly journals Population structure and dispersal across small and large spatial scales in a direct developing marine isopod

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William S. Pearman ◽  
Sarah J. Wells ◽  
Olin K. Silander ◽  
Nikki E. Freed ◽  
James Dale
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Clear Pattern ◽  
Small Spatial Scale ◽  
Cook Strait ◽  
Genetic Break

AbstractMarine organisms generally exhibit one of two developmental modes: biphasic, with distinct adult and larval morphology, and direct development, in which larvae resemble adults. Developmental mode is thought to significantly influence dispersal, with direct developers expected to have much lower dispersal potential. However, in contrast to our relatively good understanding of dispersal and population connectivity for biphasic species, comparatively little is known about direct developers. In this study, we use a panel of 8,020 SNPs to investigate population structure and gene flow for a direct developing species, the New Zealand endemic marine isopod Isocladus armatus. On a small spatial scale (20 kms), gene flow between locations is extremely high and suggests an island model of migration. However, over larger spatial scales (600km), populations exhibit a clear pattern of isolation-by-distance. Because our sampling range is intersected by two well-known biogeographic barriers (the East Cape and the Cook Strait), our study provides an opportunity to understand how such barriers influence dispersal in direct developers. Our results indicate that I. armatus exhibits significant migration across these barriers, and suggests that ocean currents associated with these locations do not present a barrier to dispersal. Interestingly, we do find evidence of a north-south population genetic break occurring between Māhia and Wellington, two locations where there are no obvious biogeographic barriers between them. We conclude that developmental life history largely predicts dispersal in intertidal marine isopods. However, localised biogeographic processes can disrupt this expectation.

scholarly journals Population Structures and Levels of Connectivity for Scyphozoan and Cubozoan Jellyfish

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Michael J. Kingsford ◽  
Jodie A. Schlaefer ◽  
Scott J. Morrissey
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Causal Factors ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Population Structures ◽  
Elemental Chemistry ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Scyphozoan Jellyfish ◽  
Few Data

Understanding the hierarchy of populations from the scale of metapopulations to mesopopulations and member local populations is fundamental to understanding the population dynamics of any species. Jellyfish by definition are planktonic and it would be assumed that connectivity would be high among local populations, and that populations would minimally vary in both ecological and genetic clade-level differences over broad spatial scales (i.e., hundreds to thousands of km). Although data exists on the connectivity of scyphozoan jellyfish, there are few data on cubozoans. Cubozoans are capable swimmers and have more complex and sophisticated visual abilities than scyphozoans. We predict, therefore, that cubozoans have the potential to have finer spatial scale differences in population structure than their relatives, the scyphozoans. Here we review the data available on the population structures of scyphozoans and what is known about cubozoans. The evidence from realized connectivity and estimates of potential connectivity for scyphozoans indicates the following. Some jellyfish taxa have a large metapopulation and very large stocks (>1000 s of km), while others have clade-level differences on the scale of tens of km. Data on distributions, genetics of medusa and polyps, statolith shape, elemental chemistry of statoliths and biophysical modelling of connectivity suggest that some of the ~50 species of cubozoans have populations of surprisingly small spatial scales and low levels of connectivity. Despite their classification as plankton, therefore, some scyphozoans and cubozoans have stocks of small spatial scales. Causal factors that influence the population structure in many taxa include the distribution of polyps, behavior of medusa, local geomorphology and hydrodynamics. Finally, the resolution of patterns of connectivity and population structures will be greatest when multiple methods are used.

scholarly journals Complex population structure of the Atlantic puffin revealed by whole genome analyses

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Kersten ◽  
Bastiaan Star ◽  
Deborah M. Leigh ◽  
Tycho Anker-Nilssen ◽  
Hallvard Strøm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Genome Data ◽  
Complex Population ◽  
Genome Analyses ◽  
Atlantic Puffin

AbstractThe factors underlying gene flow and genomic population structure in vagile seabirds are notoriously difficult to understand due to their complex ecology with diverse dispersal barriers and extensive periods at sea. Yet, such understanding is vital for conservation management of seabirds that are globally declining at alarming rates. Here, we elucidate the population structure of the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) by assembling its reference genome and analyzing genome-wide resequencing data of 72 individuals from 12 colonies. We identify four large, genetically distinct clusters, observe isolation-by-distance between colonies within these clusters, and obtain evidence for a secondary contact zone. These observations disagree with the current taxonomy, and show that a complex set of contemporary biotic factors impede gene flow over different spatial scales. Our results highlight the power of whole genome data to reveal unexpected population structure in vagile marine seabirds and its value for seabird taxonomy, evolution and conservation.

scholarly journals Multiscale patterns of isolation by ecology and fine-scale population structure in Texas bobcats

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11498
Author(s):  
Imogene A. Cancellare ◽  
Elizabeth M. Kierepka ◽  
Jan Janecka ◽  
Byron Weckworth ◽  
Richard T. Kazmaier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Spatial Genetic Structure ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Lynx Rufus ◽  
Multiscale Approach ◽  
Ecological Processes

Patterns of spatial genetic variation can be generated by a variety of ecological processes, including individual preferences based on habitat. These ecological processes act at multiple spatial and temporal scales, generating scale-dependent effects on gene flow. In this study, we focused on bobcats (Lynx rufus), a highly mobile, generalist felid that exhibits ecological and behavioral plasticity, high abundance, and broad connectivity across much of their range. However, bobcats also show genetic differentiation along habitat breaks, a pattern typically observed in cases of isolation-by-ecology (IBE). The IBE observed in bobcats is hypothesized to occur due to habitat-biased dispersal, but it is unknown if this occurs at other habitat breaks across their range or at what spatial scale IBE becomes most apparent. Thus, we used a multiscale approach to examine isolation by ecology (IBE) patterns in bobcats (Lynx rufus) at both fine and broad spatial scales in western Texas. We genotyped 102 individuals at nine microsatellite loci and used partial redundancy analysis (pRDA) to test if a suite of landscape variables influenced genetic variation in bobcats. Bobcats exhibited a latitudinal cline in population structure with a spatial signature of male-biased dispersal, and no clear barriers to gene flow. Our pRDA tests revealed high genetic similarity in similar habitats, and results differed by spatial scale. At the fine spatial scale, herbaceous rangeland was an important influence on gene flow whereas mixed rangeland and agriculture were significant at the broad spatial scale. Taken together, our results suggests that complex interactions between spatial-use behavior and landscape heterogeneity can create non-random gene flow in highly mobile species like bobcats. Furthermore, our results add to the growing body of data highlighting the importance of multiscale study designs when assessing spatial genetic structure.

scholarly journals Investigation of population structure in Gulf of MexicoSeepiophila jonesi(Polychaeta, Siboglinidae) using cross-amplified microsatellite loci

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunya Huang ◽  
Stephen W. Schaeffer ◽  
Charles R. Fisher ◽  
Dominique A. Cowart
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Larval Dispersal ◽  
Cold Seeps ◽  
Dispersal Patterns ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Significant Gene ◽  
Species Specific

BackgroundVestimentiferan tubeworms are some of the most recognizable fauna found at deep-sea cold seeps, isolated environments where hydrocarbon rich fluids fuel biological communities. Several studies have investigated tubeworm population structure; however, much is still unknown about larval dispersal patterns at Gulf of Mexico (GoM) seeps. As such, researchers have applied microsatellite markers as a measure for documenting the transport of vestimentiferan individuals. In the present study, we investigate the utility of microsatellites to be cross-amplified within the escarpiid clade of seep vestimentiferans, by determining if loci originally developed forEscarpiaspp. could be amplified in the GoM seep tubeworm,Seepiophila jonesi. Additionally, we determine if cross-amplified loci can reliably uncover the same signatures of high gene flow seen in a previous investigation ofS. jonesi.MethodsSeventy-sevenS. jonesiindividuals were collected from eight seep sites across the upper Louisiana slope (<1,000 m) in the GoM. Forty-eight microsatellite loci that were originally developed forEscarpia laminata(18 loci) andEscarpia southwardae(30 loci) were tested to determine if they were homologous and polymorphic inS. jonesi. Loci found to be both polymorphic and of high quality were used to test for significant population structuring inS. jonesi.ResultsMicrosatellite pre-screening identified 13 (27%) of theEscarpialoci were homologous and polymorphic inS. jonesi, revealing that microsatellites can be amplified within the escarpiid clade of vestimentiferans. Our findings uncovered low levels of heterozygosity and a lack of genetic differentiation amongstS. jonesifrom various sites and regions, in line with previous investigations that employed species-specific polymorphic loci onS. jonesiindividuals retrieved from both the same and different seep sites. The lack of genetic structure identified from these populations supports the presence of significant gene flow via larval dispersal in mixed oceanic currents.DiscussionThe ability to develop “universal” microsatellites reduces the costs associated with these analyses and allows researchers to track and investigate a wider array of taxa, which is particularly useful for organisms living at inaccessible locations such as the deep sea. Our study highlights that non-species specific microsatellites can be amplified across large evolutionary distances and still yield similar findings as species-specific loci. Further, these results show thatS. jonesicollected from various localities in the GoM represents a single panmictic population, suggesting that dispersal of lecithotrophic larvae by deep sea currents is sufficient to homogenize populations. These data are consistent with the high levels of gene flow seen inEscarpiaspp., which advocates that differences in microhabitats of seep localities lead to variation in biogeography of separate species.

scholarly journals Population genetics of Anopheles arabiensis, the primary malaria vector in the Republic of Sudan

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mashair Sir El Khatim Mustafa ◽  
Zairi Jaal ◽  
Sumia Abu Kashawa ◽  
Siti Azizah Mohd Nor
Keyword(s):  
Population Genetics ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Malaria Vector ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Anopheles Arabiensis ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Gene Pools ◽  
High Gene Flow ◽  
High Gene

Abstract Background Anopheles arabiensis is a member of Anopheles gambiae complex and the main malaria vector in Sudan. There is insufficient population genetics data available on An. arabiensis for an understanding of vector population structure and genetics, which are important for the malaria vector control programmes in this country. The objective of this investigation is to study the population structure, gene flow and isolation by distance among An. arabiensis populations for developing control strategies. Methods Mosquitoes were collected from six sites located in three different states in Sudan, Khartoum, Kassala and Sennar, using pyrethrum spray catch of indoor resting mosquitoes. Anopheline mosquitoes were identified morphologically and based on species specific nucleotide sequences in the ribosomal DNA intergenic spacers (IGS). Seven published An. gambiae microsatellite loci primers were used to amplify the DNA of An. arabiensis samples. Results PCR confirmed that An. arabiensis was the main malaria vector found in the six localities. Of the seven microsatellite loci utilized, six were found to be highly polymorphic across populations, with high allelic richness and heterozygosity with the remaining one being monomorphic. Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg expectations were found in 21 out of 42 tests in the six populations due to heterozygote deficiency. Bayesian clustering analysis revealed two gene pools, grouping samples into two population clusters; one includes four and the other includes two populations. The clusters were not grouped according to the three states but were instead an admixture. The genetic distances between pairs of populations ranged from 0.06 to 0.24. Significant FST was observed between all pairwise analyses of An. arabiensis populations. The Kassala state population indicated high genetic differentiation (FST ranged from 0.17 to 0.24) from other populations, including one which is also located in the same state. High gene flow (Nm = 1.6–8.2) was detected among populations within respective clusters but limited between clusters particularly with respect to Kassala state. There was evidence of a bottleneck event in one of the populations (Al Haj Yousif site). No isolation by distance pattern was detected among populations. Conclusions This study revealed low levels of population differentiation with high gene flow among the An. arabiensis populations investigated in Sudan, with the exception of Kassala state.

scholarly journals A Matter of Scale: Population Genomic Structure and Connectivity of Fisheries At-Risk Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis) From Australasia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Barceló ◽  
Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo ◽  
Karen A. Stockin ◽  
Kerstin Bilgmann ◽  
Catherine R. M. Attard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Common Dolphin ◽  
Delphinus Delphis ◽  
Multiple Spatial Scales ◽  
Population Genomic ◽  
Common Dolphins ◽  
Australasian Region

An understanding of population structure and connectivity at multiple spatial scales is required to assist wildlife conservation and management. This is particularly critical for widely distributed and highly mobile marine mammals subject to fisheries by-catch. Here, we present a population genomic assessment of a near-top predator, the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), which is incidentally caught in multiple fisheries across the Australasian region. The study was carried out using 14,799 ddRAD sequenced genome-wide markers genotyped for 478 individuals sampled at multiple spatial scales across Australasia. A complex hierarchical metapopulation structure was identified, with three highly distinct and genetically diverse regional populations at large spatial scales (&gt;1,500 km). The populations inhabit the southern coast of Australia, the eastern coast of Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania, with the latter also showing a considerable level of admixture to Australia's east coast. Each of these regional populations contained two to four nested local populations (i.e., subpopulations) at finer spatial scales, with most of the gene flow occurring within distances of 50 to 400 km. Estimates of contemporary migration rates between adjacent subpopulations ranged from 6 to 25%. Overall, our findings identified complex common dolphin population structure and connectivity across state and international jurisdictions, including migration and gene flow across the Tasman Sea. The results indicate that inter-jurisdictional collaboration is required to implement conservation management strategies and mitigate fisheries interactions of common dolphins across multiple spatial scales in the Australasian region.

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