scholarly journals Integrating population genetics to define conservation units from the core to the edge of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum western range

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orianne Tournayre ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Pons ◽  
Maxime Leuchtmann ◽  
Raphael Leblois ◽  
Sylvain Piry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Conservation Units ◽  
Management Units ◽  
Rhinolophus Ferrumequinum ◽  
Northern France ◽  
History Of

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.

scholarly journals Population structure and demographic history of the chukar partridge Alectoris chukar in China

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sen Song ◽  
Shijie Bao ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Xinkang Bao ◽  
Bei An ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
North America ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Population History ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chukar Partridge

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).

scholarly journals Genetic diversity, demographic history and neo-sex chromosomes in the Critically Endangered Raso lark

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1922) ◽  
pp. 20192613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa G. Dierickx ◽  
Simon Yung Wa Sin ◽  
H. Pieter J. van Veelen ◽  
M. de L. Brooke ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Sex Chromosomes ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Island Species ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Approaches To Study ◽  
Genetic Signatures

Small effective population sizes could expose island species to inbreeding and loss of genetic variation. Here, we investigate factors shaping genetic diversity in the Raso lark, which has been restricted to a single islet for approximately 500 years, with a population size of a few hundred. We assembled a reference genome for the related Eurasian skylark and then assessed diversity and demographic history using RAD-seq data (75 samples from Raso larks and two related mainland species). We first identify broad tracts of suppressed recombination in females, indicating enlarged neo-sex chromosomes. We then show that genetic diversity across autosomes in the Raso lark is lower than in its mainland relatives, but inconsistent with long-term persistence at its current population size. Finally, we find that genetic signatures of the recent population contraction are overshadowed by an ancient expansion and persistence of a very large population until the human settlement of Cape Verde. Our findings show how genome-wide approaches to study endangered species can help avoid confounding effects of genome architecture on diversity estimates, and how present-day diversity can be shaped by ancient demographic events.

scholarly journals Genetic Diversity and Population Divergence of a Rare, Endemic Grass (Elymus breviaristatus) in the Southeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingqing Yu ◽  
Qian Liu ◽  
Yi Xiong ◽  
Yanli Xiong ◽  
Zhixiao Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Population Divergence ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
Widespread Species

Elymus breviaristatus is a grass species only distributed in the southeast of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), which has suffered from serious habitat fragmentation. Therefore, understanding patterns of genetic diversity within and among natural E. breviaristatus populations could provide insight for future conservation strategies. In this study, sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers were employed to investigate the genetic diversity and hierarchical structure of seven E. breviaristatus populations from QTP, China. Multiple measures of genetic diversity indicated that there is low to moderate genetic variation within E. breviaristatus populations, consistent with its presumed mating system. In spite of its rarity, E. breviaristatus presented high genetic diversity that was equivalent to or even higher than that of widespread species. Bayesian clustering approaches, along with clustering analysis and principal coordinate analysis partitioned the studied populations of E. breviaristatus into five genetic clusters. Differentiation coefficients (Fst, GST, etc.) and AMOVA analysis revealed considerable genetic divergence among different populations. BARRIER analyses indicated that there were two potential barriers to gene flow among the E. breviaristatus populations. Despite these patterns of differentiation, genetic distances between populations were independent of geographic distances (r = 0.2197, p = 0.2534), indicating little isolation by distance. Moreover, despite detecting a common outlier by two methods, bioclimatic factors (altitude, annual mean temperature, and annual mean precipitation) were not related to diversity parameters, indicating little evidence for isolation caused by the environment. These patterns of diversity within and between populations are used to propose a conservation strategy for E. breviaristatus.

scholarly journals High genetic diversity and demographic history of captive Siamese and Saltwater crocodiles suggest the first step toward the establishment of a breeding and reintroduction program in Thailand

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. e0184526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorravis Lapbenjakul ◽  
Watcharaporn Thapana ◽  
Panupon Twilprawat ◽  
Narongrit Muangmai ◽  
Thiti Kanchanaketu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
History Of

scholarly journals Population Genetic Structure and Genetic Diversity in Twisted-Jaw Fish, Belodontichthys truncatus Kottelat & Ng, 1999 (Siluriformes: Siluridae), from Mekong Basin

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surapon Yodsiri ◽  
Komgrit Wongpakam ◽  
Adisak Ardharn ◽  
Chadaporn Senakun ◽  
Sutthira Khumkratok
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Mekong River ◽  
Demographic Expansion ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
History Analysis ◽  
History Of ◽  
Important Food Source

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.

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