Multiscale analysis reveals restricted gene flow and a linear gradient in heterozygosity for an island population of feral horses

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 310-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. L. Lucas ◽  
P. D. McLoughlin ◽  
D. W. Coltman ◽  
C. Barber
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Restricted Gene Flow ◽  
Island Population ◽  
Feral Horses ◽  
Linear Gradient ◽  
Linear Habitats ◽  
Feral Horse ◽  
Feral Population ◽  
Sand Bar

We studied the genetic (microsatellite) diversity of a feral population of horses ( Equus caballus L., 1758) on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada (1983–2003), at two spatial scales: (1) for the island as a whole and (2) at the level of four equally sized subdivisions along the length of Sable Island, which is a long (42 km) and narrow (1.5 km) vegetated sand bar. At the island scale (n = 264 horses), observed heterozygosity over 10 loci was 0.647 ± 0.035 (mean ± 1 SE), while expected heterozygosity was 0.696 ± 0.029; we observed significant heterozygote deficiency with all loci considered (P < 0.0001). At the subdivision scale, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.589 to 0.694 in a gradient from west to east. We observed a corresponding gradient in effective number of alleles and allelic richness. Pairwise values of FST were significant for most subdivision pairs, ranging as high as 0.067 from west to east. Western areas showed highest levels of inbreeding (FIS = 0.113) with outbreeding indicated in the east (FIS = –0.008). Our results suggest that for a large mammal that lives in polygynous social groups, like the feral horse, gene flow along linear habitats (corridors) may be restricted (relative to the dispersal capabilities of the species), even over short distances.

Bank voles in linear habitats show restricted gene flow as revealed by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

1998 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 1383-1389 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. AARS ◽  
R. A. IMS ◽  
H.‐P. LIU ◽  
M. MULVEY ◽  
M. H. SMITH
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Restricted Gene Flow ◽  
Linear Habitats ◽  
Bank Voles

scholarly journals Plant speciation in continental island floras as exemplified by Nigella in the Aegean Archipelago

2008 ◽  
Vol 363 (1506) ◽  
pp. 3083-3096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Peter Comes ◽  
Andreas Tribsch ◽  
Christiane Bittkau
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Genetic Drift ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Restricted Gene Flow ◽  
Sea Levels ◽  
Rising Sea Levels ◽  
A Minor

Continental shelf island systems, created by rising sea levels, provide a premier setting for studying the effects of geographical isolation on non-adaptive radiation and allopatric speciation brought about by genetic drift. The Aegean Archipelago forms a highly fragmented complex of mostly continental shelf islands that have become disconnected from each other and the mainland in relatively recent geological times ( ca <5.2 Ma). These ecologically fairly homogenous islands thus provide a suitable biogeographic context for assessing the relative influences of past range fragmentation, colonization, gene flow and drift on taxon diversification. Indeed, recent molecular biogeographic studies on the Aegean Nigella arvensis complex, combining phylogenetic, phylogeographic and population level approaches, exemplify the importance of allopatry and genetic drift coupled with restricted gene flow in driving plant speciation in this continental archipelago at different temporal and spatial scales. While the recent (Late Pleistocene) radiation of Aegean Nigella , as well as possible instances of incipient speciation (in the Cyclades), is shown to be strongly conditioned by (palaeo)geographic factors (including changes in sea level), shifts in breeding system (selfing) and associated isolating mechanisms have also contributed to this radiation. By contrast, founder event speciation has probably played only a minor role, perhaps reflecting a migratory situation typical for continental archipelagos characterized by niche pre-emption because of a long established resident flora. Overall, surveys of neutral molecular markers in Aegean Nigella have so far revealed population genetic processes that conform remarkably well to predictions raised by genetic drift theory. The challenge is now to gain more direct insights into the relative importance of the role of genetic drift, as opposed to natural selection, in the phenotypic and reproductive divergence among these Aegean plant species.

scholarly journals Highly restricted dispersal in habitat-forming seaweed may impede natural recovery of disturbed populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florentine Riquet ◽  
Christiane-Arnilda De Kuyper ◽  
Cécile Fauvelot ◽  
Laura Airoldi ◽  
Serge Planes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Mediterranean Ecosystems ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Restricted Gene Flow ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Natural Recovery ◽  
Limited Dispersal ◽  
Ecological Importance

AbstractCystoseira sensu lato (Class Phaeophyceae, Order Fucales, Family Sargassaceae) forests play a central role in marine Mediterranean ecosystems. Over the last decades, Cystoseira s.l. suffered from a severe loss as a result of multiple anthropogenic stressors. In particular, Gongolaria barbata has faced multiple human-induced threats, and, despite its ecological importance in structuring rocky communities and hosting a large number of species, the natural recovery of G. barbata depleted populations is uncertain. Here, we used nine microsatellite loci specifically developed for G. barbata to assess the genetic diversity of this species and its genetic connectivity among fifteen sites located in the Ionian, the Adriatic and the Black Seas. In line with strong and significant heterozygosity deficiencies across loci, likely explained by Wahlund effect, high genetic structure was observed among the three seas (ENA corrected FST = 0.355, IC = [0.283, 0.440]), with an estimated dispersal distance per generation smaller than 600 m, both in the Adriatic and Black Sea. This strong genetic structure likely results from restricted gene flow driven by geographic distances and limited dispersal abilities, along with genetic drift within isolated populations. The presence of genetically disconnected populations at small spatial scales (< 10 km) has important implications for the identification of relevant conservation and management measures for G. barbata: each population should be considered as separated evolutionary units with dedicated conservation efforts.

scholarly journals Adaptive Divergence under Gene Flow along an Environmental Gradient in Two Coexisting Stickleback Species

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Thijs M. P. Bal ◽  
Alejandro Llanos-Garrido ◽  
Anurag Chaturvedi ◽  
Io Verdonck ◽  
Bart Hellemans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Brackish Water ◽  
Environmental Gradient ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Morphological Differentiation ◽  
Genotyping By Sequencing ◽  
Adaptive Divergence ◽  
Linkage Groups ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Genomic Patterns

There is a general and solid theoretical framework to explain how the interplay between natural selection and gene flow affects local adaptation. Yet, to what extent coexisting closely related species evolve collectively or show distinctive evolutionary responses remains a fundamental question. To address this, we studied the population genetic structure and morphological differentiation of sympatric three-spined and nine-spined stickleback. We conducted genotyping-by-sequencing and morphological trait characterisation using 24 individuals of each species from four lowland brackish water (LBW), four lowland freshwater (LFW) and three upland freshwater (UFW) sites in Belgium and the Netherlands. This combination of sites allowed us to contrast populations from isolated but environmentally similar locations (LFW vs. UFW), isolated but environmentally heterogeneous locations (LBW vs. UFW), and well-connected but environmentally heterogenous locations (LBW vs. LFW). Overall, both species showed comparable levels of genetic diversity and neutral genetic differentiation. However, for all three spatial scales, signatures of morphological and genomic adaptive divergence were substantially stronger among populations of the three-spined stickleback than among populations of the nine-spined stickleback. Furthermore, most outlier SNPs in the two species were associated with local freshwater sites. The few outlier SNPs that were associated with the split between brackish water and freshwater populations were located on one linkage group in three-spined stickleback and two linkage groups in nine-spined stickleback. We conclude that while both species show congruent evolutionary and genomic patterns of divergent selection, both species differ in the magnitude of their response to selection regardless of the geographical and environmental context.

Restricted gene flow in fragmented populations of a wind-pollinated tree

2007 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1521-1532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Provan ◽  
Gemma E. Beatty ◽  
Andrea M. Hunter ◽  
Robbie A. McDonald ◽  
Emma McLaughlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Restricted Gene Flow ◽  
Fragmented Populations

Instability of Harems of Feral Horses in Relation To Season and Presence of Subordinate Stallions

Behaviour ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 112 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 149-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Franke Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Lifetime Reproductive Success ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Island Population ◽  
Single Male ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Feral Horses ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

AbstractMale horses (Equus caballus) defend harems of females (bands) year-round and throughout their lifetimes. A male's lifetime reproductive success depends upon the number of females in his harem. Although harems have previously been reported as remaining stable over many years, during the two years of this study 30 % of the adult females in an island population of feral horses changed harems during late winter. The seasonal differences in harem stability resulted from seasonal differences in the abundance and distribution of food. The spacing between band members was greater and the frequency of social interactions between them was lower in winter than in summer. In addition, the amount of time devoted to grazing increased in winter. These differences are attributed to the lower availability of suitable vegetation duirng winter. Harem stability did not depend on the age of females, the size of the harem, nor the age of the harem stallion, but did depend on the presence of subordinate stallions attached to the band. All of the females that changed bands left single-male bands; multi-male bands were stable throughout the study.

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