scholarly journals Genetic signatures of evolutionary rescue by a selective sweep

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew M. Osmond ◽  
Graham Coop

AbstractOne of the most useful models in population genetics is that of a selective sweep and the consequent hitch-hiking of linked neutral alleles. While variations on this model typically assume constant population size, many instances of strong selection and rapid adaptation in nature may co-occur with complex demography. Here we extend the hitch-hiking model to evolutionary rescue, where adaptation and demography not only co-occur but are intimately entwined. Our results show how this feedback between demography and evolution determines – and restricts – the genetic signatures of evolutionary rescue, and how these differ from the signatures of sweeps in populations of constant size. In particular, we find rescue to harden sweeps from standing variance or new mutation (but not from migration), reduce genetic diversity both at the selected site and genome-wide, and increase the range of observed Tajima’s D values. For a given initial rate of population decline, the feedback between demography and evolution makes all of these differences more dramatic under weaker selection, where bottlenecks are prolonged. Nevertheless, it is likely difficult to infer the co-incident timing of the sweep and bottleneck from these simple signatures, never-mind a feedback between them. Temporal samples spanning contemporary rescue events may offer one way forward.

Genetics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 215 (3) ◽  
pp. 813-829
Author(s):  
Matthew M. Osmond ◽  
Graham Coop

One of the most useful models in population genetics is that of a selective sweep and the consequent hitch-hiking of linked neutral alleles. While variations on this model typically assume constant population size, many instances of strong selection and rapid adaptation in nature may co-occur with complex demography. Here, we extend the hitch-hiking model to evolutionary rescue, where adaptation and demography not only co-occur but are intimately entwined. Our results show how this feedback between demography and evolution determines—and restricts—the genetic signatures of evolutionary rescue, and how these differ from the signatures of sweeps in populations of constant size. In particular, we find rescue to harden sweeps from standing variance or new mutation (but not from migration), reduce genetic diversity both at the selected site and genome-wide, and increase the range of observed Tajima’s D values. For a given initial rate of population decline, the feedback between demography and evolution makes all of these differences more dramatic under weaker selection, where bottlenecks are prolonged. Nevertheless, it is likely difficult to infer the co-incident timing of the sweep and bottleneck from these simple signatures, never mind a feedback between them. Temporal samples spanning contemporary rescue events may offer one way forward.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aamir Saleem ◽  
Hilde Muylle ◽  
Jonas Aper ◽  
Tom Ruttink ◽  
Jiao Wang ◽  
...  

Targeted and untargeted selections including domestication and breeding efforts can reduce genetic diversity in breeding germplasm and create selective sweeps in crop genomes. The genomic regions at which selective sweeps are detected can reveal important information about signatures of selection. We have analyzed the genetic diversity within a soybean germplasm collection relevant for breeding in Europe (the EUCLEG collection), and have identified selective sweeps through a genome-wide scan comparing that collection to Chinese soybean collections. This work involved genotyping of 480 EUCLEG soybean accessions, including 210 improved varieties, 216 breeding lines and 54 landraces using the 355K SoySNP microarray. SNP calling of 477 EUCLEG accessions together with 328 Chinese soybean accessions identified 224,993 high-quality SNP markers. Population structure analysis revealed a clear differentiation between the EUCLEG collection and the Chinese materials. Further, the EUCLEG collection was sub-structured into five subgroups that were differentiated by geographical origin. No clear association between subgroups and maturity group was detected. The genetic diversity was lower in the EUCLEG collection compared to the Chinese collections. Selective sweep analysis revealed 23 selective sweep regions distributed over 12 chromosomes. Co-localization of these selective sweep regions with previously reported QTLs and genes revealed that various signatures of selection in the EUCLEG collection may be related to domestication and improvement traits including seed protein and oil content, phenology, nitrogen fixation, yield components, diseases resistance and quality. No signatures of selection related to stem determinacy were detected. In addition, absence of signatures of selection for a substantial number of QTLs related to yield, protein content, oil content and phenological traits suggests the presence of substantial genetic diversity in the EUCLEG collection. Taken together, the results obtained demonstrate that the available genetic diversity in the EUCLEG collection can be further exploited for research and breeding purposes. However, incorporation of exotic material can be considered to broaden its genetic base.


BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoshen Yin ◽  
Alexander S. Martinez ◽  
Maria S. Sepúlveda ◽  
Mark R. Christie

Abstract Background Uncovering the mechanisms underlying rapid genetic adaptation can provide insight into adaptive evolution and shed light on conservation, invasive species control, and natural resource management. However, it can be difficult to experimentally explore rapid adaptation due to the challenges associated with propagating and maintaining species in captive environments for long periods of time. By contrast, many introduced species have experienced strong selection when colonizing environments that differ substantially from their native range and thus provide a “natural experiment” for studying rapid genetic adaptation. One such example occurred when sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), native to the northern Atlantic, naturally migrated into Lake Champlain and expanded their range into the Great Lakes via man-made shipping canals. Results Utilizing 368,886 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we calculated genome-wide levels of genetic diversity (i.e., heterozygosity and π) for sea lamprey collected from native (Connecticut River), native but recently colonized (Lake Champlain), and invasive (Lake Michigan) populations, assessed genetic differentiation between all populations, and identified candidate genes that responded to selection imposed by the novel environments. We observed a 14 and 24% reduction in genetic diversity in Lake Michigan and Lake Champlain populations, respectively, compared to individuals from the Connecticut River, suggesting that sea lamprey populations underwent a genetic bottleneck during colonization. Additionally, we identified 121 and 43 outlier genes in comparisons between Lake Michigan and Connecticut River and between Lake Champlain and Connecticut River, respectively. Six outlier genes that contained synonymous SNPs in their coding regions and two genes that contained nonsynonymous SNPs may underlie the rapid evolution of growth (i.e., GHR), reproduction (i.e., PGR, TTC25, STARD10), and bioenergetics (i.e., OXCT1, PYGL, DIN4, SLC25A15). Conclusions By identifying the genomic basis of rapid adaptation to novel environments, we demonstrate that populations of invasive species can be a useful study system for understanding adaptive evolution. Furthermore, the reduction in genome-wide levels of genetic diversity associated with colonization coupled with the identification of outlier genes underlying key life history traits known to have changed in invasive sea lamprey populations (e.g., growth, reproduction) illustrate the utility in applying genomic approaches for the successful management of introduced species.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Selechnik ◽  
Mark F. Richardson ◽  
Richard Shine ◽  
Jayna DeVore ◽  
Simon Ducatez ◽  
...  

AbstractInvasive species often exhibit rapid evolution in their introduced ranges despite the genetic bottlenecks that are thought to accompany the translocation of small numbers of founders; however, some invasions may not fit this “genetic paradox.” The invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina) displays high phenotypic variation across its environmentally heterogeneous introduced Australian range. Here, we used three genome-wide datasets to characterize population structure and genetic diversity in invasive toads: RNA-Seq data generated from spleens sampled from the toads’ native range in French Guiana, the introduced population in Hawai’i that was the source of Australian founders, and Australia; RNA-Seq data generated from brains sampled more extensively in Hawai’i and Australia; and previously published RADSeq data from transects across Australia. We found that toads form three genetic clusters: (1) native range toads, (2) toads from the source population in Hawai’i and long-established areas near introduction sites in Australia, and (3) toads from more recently established northern Australian sites. In addition to strong divergence between native and invasive populations, we find evidence for a reduction in genetic diversity after introduction. However, we do not see this reduction in loci putatively under selection, suggesting that genetic diversity may have been maintained at ecologically relevant traits, or that mutation rates were high enough to maintain adaptive potential. Nonetheless, cane toads encounter novel environmental challenges in Australia and appear to respond to selection across environmental breaks; the transition between genetic clusters occurs at a point along the invasion transect where temperature rises and rainfall decreases. We identify loci known to be involved in resistance to heat and dehydration that show evidence of selection in Australian toads. Despite well-known predictions regarding genetic drift and spatial sorting during invasion, this study highlights that natural selection occurs rapidly and plays a vital role in shaping the structure of invasive populations.Author SummaryDespite longstanding evidence for the link between genetic diversity and population viability, the “genetic paradox” concept reflects the observation that invasive populations are successful in novel environments despite a putative reduction in genetic diversity. However, some recent studies have suggested that successful invasions may often occur due to an absence of obstacles such as genetic diversity loss or novel adaptive challenges. The recent emergence of genome-wide technologies provides us with the tools to study this question comprehensively by assessing both overall genetic diversity, and diversity of loci that underlie ecologically relevant traits. The invasive cane toad is a useful model because there is abundant phenotypic evidence of rapid adaptation during invasion. Our results suggest strong genetic divergence between native and invasive populations, and a reduction in overall genetic diversity; however, we do not see this reduction when solely assessing ecologically relevant loci. This could be for reasons that support or refute the genetic paradox. Further studies may provide perspectives from other systems, allowing us to explore how variables such as propagule size affect the fit of an invasion to the model of the paradox. Studying invasive species remains important due to their largely negative impacts on the environment and economy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyi Guo ◽  
Ying Xu ◽  
Tao Yan ◽  
Lixi Jiang ◽  
Jie Dong ◽  
...  

Abstract Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is an important oilseed crop, which is widely planted in the world. In a previous study, we collected 991 accessions of rapeseed from the worldwide germplasm and revealed genetic polymorphisms within these germplasm by whole-genome resequencing. However, management of such a large amount of accessions is time-consuming, laborious and costly. Therefore, we constructed a core collection of rapeseed consisting of 300 worldwide accessions based on their genetic diversity. Compared with 991 accessions, the worldwide core collection showed similar geographic distribution, the proportion of three ecotypes, nucleotide diversity and the associated SNPs of flowering time. Besides, we identified FT ortholog (BnaA02g12130D) and FLC ortholog (BnaA10g22080D) responsible for flowering time and ecotype differentiation through selective sweep analysis and genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) of flowering time using the rapeseed core collection. FT and FLC are two well-known genes regulating flowering time in Arabidopsis. These results indicate that the worldwide core collection can represent the genetic diversity of 991 worldwide accessions, which could be more efficiently used for phenotypic and genetic studies in rapeseed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Senczuk ◽  
Salvatore Mastrangelo ◽  
Paolo Ajmone-Marsan ◽  
Zsolt Becskei ◽  
Paolo Colangelo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background During the Neolithic expansion, cattle accompanied humans and spread from their domestication centres to colonize the ancient world. In addition, European cattle occasionally intermingled with both indicine cattle and local aurochs resulting in an exclusive pattern of genetic diversity. Among the most ancient European cattle are breeds that belong to the so-called Podolian trunk, the history of which is still not well established. Here, we used genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data on 806 individuals belonging to 36 breeds to reconstruct the origin and diversification of Podolian cattle and to provide a reliable scenario of the European colonization, through an approximate Bayesian computation random forest (ABC-RF) approach. Results Our results indicate that European Podolian cattle display higher values of genetic diversity indices than both African taurine and Asian indicine breeds. Clustering analyses show that Podolian breeds share close genomic relationships, which suggests a likely common genetic ancestry. Among the simulated and tested scenarios of the colonization of Europe from taurine cattle, the greatest support was obtained for the model assuming at least two waves of diffusion. Time estimates are in line with an early migration from the domestication centre of non-Podolian taurine breeds followed by a secondary migration of Podolian breeds. The best fitting model also suggests that the Italian Podolian breeds are the result of admixture between different genomic pools. Conclusions This comprehensive dataset that includes most of the autochthonous cattle breeds belonging to the so-called Podolian trunk allowed us not only to shed light onto the origin and diversification of this group of cattle, but also to gain new insights into the diffusion of European cattle. The most well-supported scenario of colonization points to two main waves of migrations: with one that occurred alongside with the Neolithic human expansion and gave rise to the non-Podolian taurine breeds, and a more recent one that favoured the diffusion of European Podolian. In this process, we highlight the importance of both the Mediterranean and Danube routes in promoting European cattle colonization. Moreover, we identified admixture as a driver of diversification in Italy, which could represent a melting pot for Podolian cattle.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Surya Prasad Sharma ◽  
Mirza Ghazanfarullah Ghazi ◽  
Suyash Katdare ◽  
Niladri Dasgupta ◽  
Samrat Mondol ◽  
...  

AbstractThe gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a critically endangered crocodylian, endemic to the Indian subcontinent. The species has experienced severe population decline during the twentieth century owing to habitat loss, poaching, and mortalities in passive fishing. Its extant populations have largely recovered through translocation programmes initiated in 1975. Understanding the genetic status of these populations is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of the ongoing conservation efforts. This study assessed the genetic diversity, population structure, and evidence of genetic bottlenecks of the two managed populations inhabiting the Chambal and Girwa Rivers, which hold nearly 80% of the global gharial populations. We used seven polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci and a 520 bp partial fragment of the mitochondrial control region (CR). The overall mean allelic richness (Ar) was 2.80 ± 0.40, and the observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosities were 0.40 ± 0.05 and 0.39 ± 0.05, respectively. We observed low levels of genetic differentiation between populations (FST = 0.039, P < 0.05; G’ST = 0.058, P < 0.05 Jost’s D = 0.016, P < 0.05). The bottleneck analysis using the M ratio (Chambal = 0.31 ± 0.06; Girwa = 0.41 ± 0.12) suggested the presence of a genetic bottleneck in both populations. The mitochondrial CR also showed a low level of variation, with two haplotypes observed in the Girwa population. This study highlights the low level of genetic diversity in the two largest managed gharial populations in the wild. Hence, it is recommended to assess the genetic status of extant wild and captive gharial populations for planning future translocation programmes to ensure long-term survival in the wild.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (49) ◽  
pp. 14079-14084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haipeng Li ◽  
Jinggong Xiang-Yu ◽  
Guangyi Dai ◽  
Zhili Gu ◽  
Chen Ming ◽  
...  

Accelerated losses of biodiversity are a hallmark of the current era. Large declines of population size have been widely observed and currently 22,176 species are threatened by extinction. The time at which a threatened species began rapid population decline (RPD) and the rate of RPD provide important clues about the driving forces of population decline and anticipated extinction time. However, these parameters remain unknown for the vast majority of threatened species. Here we analyzed the genetic diversity data of nuclear and mitochondrial loci of 2,764 vertebrate species and found that the mean genetic diversity is lower in threatened species than in related nonthreatened species. Our coalescence-based modeling suggests that in many threatened species the RPD began ∼123 y ago (a 95% confidence interval of 20–260 y). This estimated date coincides with widespread industrialization and a profound change in global living ecosystems over the past two centuries. On average the population size declined by ∼25% every 10 y in a threatened species, and the population size was reduced to ∼5% of its ancestral size. Moreover, the ancestral size of threatened species was, on average, ∼22% smaller than that of nonthreatened species. Because the time period of RPD is short, the cumulative effect of RPD on genetic diversity is still not strong, so that the smaller ancestral size of threatened species may be the major cause of their reduced genetic diversity; RPD explains 24.1–37.5% of the difference in genetic diversity between threatened and nonthreatened species.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e54997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Petersen ◽  
James R. Mickelson ◽  
E. Gus Cothran ◽  
Lisa S. Andersson ◽  
Jeanette Axelsson ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document