Phylogeography and limited distribution of the endangered freshwater crayfish, Euastacus urospinosus

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 236
Author(s):  
Charlotte R. Hurry ◽  
Daniel J. Schmidt ◽  
Jane M. Hughes

Conservation plans can benefit from understanding patterns of genetic structure because many endangered species are spatially fragmented. In particular, headwater species in high elevations are expected to exhibit a high level of population structure, as dispersal through lowland streams may be limited. Euastacus urospinosus is an endangered freshwater crayfish that, until recently, was thought to have a distribution of just 200 km2. In the current study, we identified a total of 26 locations for this species across a 1225 km2 region spanning the Brisbane and Mary River catchments of south-east Queensland, Australia. We then used mitochondrial DNA sequence data to investigate the population structure and the phylogeographic divergence between four uplands. We found significant population differentiation for this species, which conforms to the headwater model of genetic structure. Further, we found that fragmentation between these uplands is most likely historical, as the first divergence between lineages dated back 2.1 million years. Overall, we found no reason to remove the conservation rating of ‘endangered’ for this species. Conservation plans should seek to preserve the genetic integrity of these uplands by considering them to be genetically distinct and isolated populations.

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (51) ◽  
pp. 32509-32518
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Helmstetter ◽  
Kevin Béthune ◽  
Narcisse G. Kamdem ◽  
Bonaventure Sonké ◽  
Thomas L. P. Couvreur

Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of genetic diversity is fundamental for species conservation in the face of climate change, particularly in hyper-diverse biomes. Species in a region may respond similarly to climate change, leading to comparable evolutionary dynamics, or individualistically, resulting in dissimilar patterns. The second-largest expanse of continuous tropical rain forest (TRF) in the world is found in Central Africa. Here, present-day patterns of genetic structure are thought to be dictated by repeated expansion and contraction of TRFs into and out of refugia during Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. This refugia model implies a common response to past climate change. However, given the unrivalled diversity of TRFs, species could respond differently because of distinct environmental requirements or ecological characteristics. To test this, we generated genome-wide sequence data for >700 individuals of seven codistributed plants from Lower Guinea in Central Africa. We inferred species’ evolutionary and demographic histories within a comparative phylogeographic framework. Levels of genetic structure varied among species and emerged primarily during the Pleistocene, but divergence events were rarely concordant. Demographic trends ranged from repeated contraction and expansion to continuous growth. Furthermore, patterns in genetic variation were linked to disparate environmental factors, including climate, soil, and habitat stability. Using a strict refugia model to explain past TRF dynamics is too simplistic. Instead, individualistic evolutionary responses to Pleistocene climatic fluctuations have shaped patterns in genetic diversity. Predicting the future dynamics of TRFs under climate change will be challenging, and more emphasis is needed on species ecology to better conserve TRFs worldwide.


Genetics ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-178
Author(s):  
J S Jones ◽  
S H Bryant ◽  
R C Lewontin ◽  
J A Moore ◽  
T Prout

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the relation between the geographical distribution of an enzyme polymorphism and population structure in Drosophila pseudoobscura. California populations of this species living in very different montane and lowland habitats separated by several kilometers are similar to each other in the frequency of an esterase allele. Previous estimates suggest that gene flow is too limited to account for this homogeneity of genetic structure, so that it must reflect some balancing force of natural selection. We show, however, that dispersal over unfavorable habitats is much greater than earlier supposed. Isolated populations of D. pseudoobscura separated by 15 km from other populations are subject to large amounts of immigration. This is shown by changes in the seasonal abundance of this species and in the annual pattern of lethal alleles in such populations. The genetic structure of an experimentally perturbed isolated population in an oasis returned to normal within a single year, suggesting that such populations are ephemeral and that the oasis is subject to annual recolonization by distant migrants. Direct assessment of marked flies shows that they can move at least 10 km in 24 hours over a desert. Such extensive gene flow may help explain the distribution of the esterase allele, and is relevant to the high level of molecular polymorphism and its general lack of geographic differentiation throughout the range of D. pseudoobscura.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-205
Author(s):  
Joke Maes ◽  
Arend Raoul Van Oosten ◽  
Natalie Van Houtte ◽  
Erik Matthysen

Abstract Unique evolutionary potential could be lost when a population goes extinct or when individuals are translocated to other existing populations. Therefore, in order to identify priorities and to predict the efficiency and consequences of conservation actions, information is needed on the genetic structure of natural populations. In the urbanized and diverse landscapes of Flanders, Belgium, natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) populations have been declining over the last decades. Therefore, this species is subjected to a wide range of different types of conservation measures (e.g. habitat management, corridor development, translocations). However, more information is needed on its genetic population structure. In this study, we sampled egg clutches from six populations and studied their genetic structure with six microsatellite markers. In total, 184 samples from 99 different egg strings were genotyped. Observed heterozygosity was generally high, even for the small and isolated populations (overall mean HO = 0.43). The weak clustering by the Bayesian analyses (STRUCTURE, Adegenet and BAPS) does not allow us to make strong conclusions on the population structure. However, the significant ΦST values between the populations underline the importance of genetic information when conservation priorities are discussed. Unique evolutionary potential could be lost when one or more natterjack toad populations would go extinct, and translocation of individuals to other existing populations should be considered with caution.


2020 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 814-821
Author(s):  
Luke C Campillo ◽  
Joseph D Manthey ◽  
Robert C Thomson ◽  
Peter A Hosner ◽  
Robert G Moyle

Abstract Phylogeographical studies of Philippine vertebrates have demonstrated that genetic variation is broadly partitioned by Pleistocene island aggregation. Contemporary island discontinuity is expected to influence genetic differentiation but remains relatively undocumented, perhaps because the current episode of island isolation started in relatively recent times. We investigated inter- and intra-island population structure in a Philippine endemic bird genus (Sarcophanops) to determine whether genetic differentiation has evolved during the recent period of isolation. We sequenced thousands of genome-wide restriction site associated DNA (RAD) markers from throughout the Mindanao group to assess fine-scale genetic structure across islands. Specifically, we investigated patterns of gene flow and connectivity within and between taxonomic and geographical bounds. A previous assessment of mitochondrial DNA detected deep structure between Sarcophanops samarensis and a sister species, Sarcophanops steerii, but was insufficient to detect differentiation within either species. Analysis of RAD markers, however, revealed structure within S. samarensis between the islands of Samar/Leyte and Bohol. This genetic differentiation probably demonstrates an effect of recent geographical isolation (after the Last Glacial Maximum) on the genetic structure of Philippine avifauna. We suggest that the general lack of evidence for differentiation between recently isolated populations is a failure to detect subtle population structure owing to past genetic sampling constraints, rather than the absence of such structure.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1047
Author(s):  
Nicolae Șofletea ◽  
Georgeta Mihai ◽  
Elena Ciocîrlan ◽  
Alexandru Lucian Curtu

Small, isolated populations are more vulnerable to natural disturbances and loss of genetic diversity. Scots pine, an abundant tree species in the boreal forest of Eurasia, has a scattered natural distribution across Eastern and Southern Carpathian Mountains, where only a few relict populations still exist. We estimated genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure in Scots pine on the basis of microsatellite nuclear markers (nSSR) data. We found a relatively high level of genetic diversity (He = 0.697) within populations and no evidence of recent bottlenecks. Genetic diversity was lower in peat bog populations, as compared to populations that grow on rocky slopes or acidic soils and nutrient-poor sites. Population genetic structure was weak, and genetic discontinuities among populations were detected. Spatial genetic structure (SGS) was observed in nearly all Scots pine populations. The strength of SGS, quantified by Sp statistics, varied greatly among populations, ranging from 0.0011 to 0.0207, with an average of 0.01. Our study highlights that Eastern and Southern Carpathian populations still possess high within-population diversity in spite of the recent fragmentation and reduction of the Scots pine natural distribution range. We discuss the importance of spatial patterns of genetic diversity for developing strategies of conservation and sustainable use of Scots pine genetic resources in the Carpathian region.


2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1885) ◽  
pp. 20181519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina P. Tadiri ◽  
Marilyn E. Scott ◽  
Gregor F. Fussmann

Although connectivity can promote host species persistence in a metapopulation, dispersal may also enable disease transmission, an effect further complicated by the impact that parasite distribution may have on host–parasite population dynamics. We investigated the effects of connectivity and initial parasite distribution (clustered or dispersed) on microparasite–host dynamics in experimental metapopulations, using guppies and Gyrodactylus turnbulli . We created metapopulations of guppies divided into four subpopulations and introduced either a low level of parasites to all subpopulations (dispersed) or a high level of parasites to one subpopulation (clustered). Controlled migration among subpopulations occurred every 10 days. In additional trials, we introduced low or high levels of parasites to isolated populations. Parasites persisted longer in metapopulations than in isolated populations. Mortality was lowest in isolated populations with low-level introductions. The interaction of connectivity and initial parasite distribution influenced parasite abundance. With low-level introductions, connectivity helped the parasite persist longer but had little effect on the hosts. With high levels, connectivity also benefited the hosts, lowering parasite burdens. These findings have implications for disease management and species conservation.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Daniel Cadena ◽  
Jorge L. Pérez-Emán ◽  
Andrés M. Cuervo ◽  
Laura N. Céspedes ◽  
Kevin L. Epperly ◽  
...  

AbstractAimEmploy phylogeographic analyses of a widespread species complex to examine the role of historical and evolutionary processes in the origin and maintenance of high species diversity in the Neotropical montane region.LocationNeotropical highlands.TaxonHenicorhinawood-wrens (Aves, Troglodytidae).MethodsWe collected mtDNA sequence data for 288 individuals thoroughly covering the range of theHenicorhina leucophryscomplex from Mexico to Bolivia. Sequences were employed to characterize population structure, infer phylogenetic relationships among populations and their divergence times, examine lineage accumulation through time, and identify presumptive species using coalescent methods. We also explored the origin of elevational and latitudinal replacements involved in spatial changes in species assemblages in the Andes.ResultsWe found remarkable genetic structure within the complex, which consists of numerous lineages reaching >12% sequence divergence; most divergent populations occur in areas separated by topographic barriers but several of them, typically not sister to each other, co-occur with elevational segregation on mountain slopes or replace each other with latitude along the Andes. Some close relatives occur in areas separated by thousands of kilometers, with more distant relatives occupying intervening areas. The complex likely originated in the Mexican highlands and expanded extensively in South America while diverging rapidly at a constant rate into many different lineages which have persisted for millions of years. Coalescent analyses consistently revealed that the complex may comprise more than 30 species; while we do not suggest these presumptive species should be recognized by taxonomists in the absence of additional data,H. leucophrysis a distant outlier among New World birds in terms of high lineage diversity within a single recognized species.Main ConclusionsOur study captured wood-wren lineages in the act of building up diversity via divergence and persistence in allopatry, achievement of secondary sympatry, and coexistence at the landscape scale mediated by ecological and evolutionary divergence. Although dispersal by wood-wrens is restricted at present and this likely accounts for strong population structure across topographic barriers, their ranges have been dynamic, managing to disperse over much of the montane Neotropics. Phases of expansion and contraction of ranges and localized extinctions of populations likely account for phylogeographic patterns which are precursors to the origin of new species and the accumulation of diversity in tropical mountains.


2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erlendur Helgason ◽  
Nicolas J. Tourasse ◽  
Roger Meisal ◽  
Dominique A. Caugant ◽  
Anne-Brit Kolstø

ABSTRACT In this study we developed a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group. This group, which includes the species B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. weihenstephanensis, and B. anthracis, is known to be genetically very diverse. It is also very important because it comprises pathogenic organisms as well as bacteria with industrial applications. The MLST system was established by using 77 strains having various origins, including humans, animals, food, and soil. A total of 67 of these strains had been analyzed previously by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, and they were selected to represent the genetic diversity of this group of bacteria. Primers were designed for conserved regions of housekeeping genes, and 330- to 504-bp internal fragments of seven such genes, adk, ccpA, ftsA, glpT, pyrE, recF, and sucC, were sequenced for all strains. The number of alleles at individual loci ranged from 25 to 40, and a total of 53 allelic profiles or sequence types (STs) were distinguished. Analysis of the sequence data showed that the population structure of the B. cereus group is weakly clonal. In particular, all five B. anthracis isolates analyzed had the same ST. The MLST scheme which we developed has a high level of resolution and should be an excellent tool for studying the population structure and epidemiology of the B. cereus group.


2017 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 134-140
Author(s):  
H. S. Rudoman ◽  
V. M. Balatsky ◽  
V. Y. Nor ◽  
V. O. Vovk

One of the top priorities at the present stage of development of pig breeding remains the development of a set of measures aimed at increasing the resistance animals to various diseases, especially – to colibacteriosis .One of the recent and effective approaches to prevent colibacillosis is using markers of selection; it involves pig genotyping by genome locuses. Chosen locuses are associated with animal sensitivity to the disease and selection of the results of genotyping of animals with increased resistance. Due to researches, one of such locuses is alpha-fukozyltrasferаza 1 gene (FUT1). Gene FUT1 is located in chromosome 6. As a result of its sequencing in the swine breeds of Large White and Swedish Landrace, single-nucleotide polymorphism (g.307 G > A SNP) has been detected. AA genotype determines the resistance of animals to colibacteriosis, while AG and GG genotypes are susceptible to this disease. According to the results of previous studies, the positive effect of allele A was determined not only on the resistance of pigs to colibacteriosis, but also on indicators of fattening and meat productivity and on reproductive performance. In Ukraine, the studies of polymorphism FUT1 g.307 G > A SNP were held fragmentedly and only on certain populations of Ukrainian Meat and Large White breed but without establishing its association with the indicators of productivity of pigs. The aim of our work was to study the genetic structure of Ukrainian Large White breeds, type 1 and the establishment of association. g. 307 G > A SNP FUT1 gene with pigs indicators of productivity. For research the 96 samples of hair were used. DNA isolation from samples with biomaterial were carried out using ion exchange resin Chelex-100. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP by method of Jorgensen et al. (2006). Using DNA analysis of this breeds locus FUT1 was determined by genetic structure. Allele frequency of allele G (0,573) and allele A (0,427) was established The distribution of genotype frequencies was not statistically significantly different from the theoretically expected, calculated by the Hardy-Weinberg criterion. Thus, according to the locus of FUT1 g.307 G > A, the breeds investigated are in a state close to the genetic equilibrium. The negative value of the fixation index by the locus FUT1 g.307 G > A indicates an excess of heterozygotes in the population, and hence the lack of targeted selection for this marker. The valuation was performed by calculating the PIC (polymorphic information content) – information content of polymorphism marker. In the analyzed pig herd for this marker, the PIC has an average value (0,367), which indicates the high level of polymorphism of the given locus and is favorable for the possibility of conducting a search for links between individual genotypes and indicators of productivity. To establish the association g.307 G > A SNP FUT1 gene with indicators of animal productivity, a one-way analysis of variance of the experimental data was used. Based on the results of a one-way analysis of variance, a significant effect of the genotypes of the FUT1gene (g.1849 G > C) on the indicator of the average daily weight gain (р ≤ 0,001), the thickness of the bacon at the level of the VI-VII vertebrae (p ≤ 0.01), reaching live weight of 100 kg (р ≤ 0,001) and breeding index of fattening qualities (р ≤ 0,01) was found. The parameter of the influence of the genetic factor on the test feature was 28,54%, 10,4%, 33,4% and 8,8% respectively. According to the investigated indicators of productivity, animals with genotype AA, which determines resistance to colibacteriosis, dominated the animals with genotypes GG and AG. Based on the results of our research and pre-published data, the multiple effect of the g.307 G > A SNP FUT1 gene is observed, which is associated with the indicators of productivity, which again confirms the polygenicity of the quantitative trait loci of farm animals. Taking into account a high level of polymorphism of the investigated gene and reliable associations of genotypes with indicators of productivity found, it can be recommended to carry out breeding of pigs using genetic information of the g.307 G > A SNP gene FUT1.


2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 2362-2368
Author(s):  
Yan Liu ◽  
Lei Chen ◽  
Xing-Zhi Duan ◽  
Dian-Shu Zhao ◽  
Jing-Tao Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Deciphering genetic structure and inferring migration routes of insects with high migratory ability have been challenging, due to weak genetic differentiation and limited resolution offered by traditional genotyping methods. Here, we tested the ability of double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq)-based single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in revealing the population structure relative to 13 microsatellite markers by using four small brown planthopper populations as subjects. Using ddRADseq, we identified 230,000 RAD loci and 5,535 SNP sites, which were present in at least 80% of individuals across the four populations with a minimum sequencing depth of 10. Our results show that this large SNP panel is more powerful than traditional microsatellite markers in revealing fine-scale population structure among the small brown planthopper populations. In contrast to the mixed population structure suggested by microsatellites, discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) of the SNP dataset clearly separated the individuals into four geographic populations. Our results also suggest the DAPC analysis is more powerful than the principal component analysis (PCA) in resolving population genetic structure of high migratory taxa, probably due to the advantages of DAPC in using more genetic variation and the discriminant analysis function. Together, these results point to ddRADseq being a promising approach for population genetic and migration studies of small brown planthopper.


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