scholarly journals Climate change and conservation in a warm North American desert: effect in shrubby plants

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Sosa ◽  
Israel Loera ◽  
Diego F. Angulo ◽  
Marilyn Vásquez-Cruz ◽  
Etelvina Gándara
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
North American ◽  
Chihuahuan Desert ◽  
Haplotype Diversity ◽  
Sierra Madre Oriental ◽  
Ecological Resistance ◽  
Sierra Madre ◽  
Shrubby Species

Background Deserts are biologically rich habitats with a vast array of animals and plants adapted to xeric conditions, and most deserts are among the planet’s last remaining areas of total wilderness. Among North American deserts, the Chihuahuan Desert has the highest levels of diversity and endemism. To understand the effect of future climate change on plants distributed in this arid land and propose effective conservation planning, we focused on five endemic shrubby species that characterize the Chihuahuan Desert and used an integrative approach. Methods Ecological niche-based modeling, spatial genetics and ecological resistance analyses were carried out to identify the effect of global warming on the studied five shrubby species. Key areas that need to be preserved were identified taking into account the existing protected areas within the Chihuahuan Desert. Results The extent of future distribution will vary among these species, and on average expansion will occur in the western part of the Chihuahuan Desert. For most species low environmental resistance to gene flow was predicted, while higher future resistance was predicted for one species that would lead to increased population isolation. The highest haplotype diversity was identified in three hotspots. Based on future suitability of habitat and in the haplotype diversity we suggest preserving two hotspots of genetic diversity in the Sierra Madre Oriental, located in areas without protection. The third hotspot was detected in the well preserved Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Man and Biosphere Reserve. Conclusion Global climate change will have an effect in arid adapted plants, favoring expansion in the western of the Chihuahuan Desert however negatively affecting others with high ecological resistance disrupting gene flow. Two hotspots of genetic diversity in the Sierra Madre Oriental should be protected.

The genetic crisis of the Mexican Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus: Testudinidae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinthya Alejandra Ureña-Aranda ◽  
Alejandro Espinosa de los Monteros
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Chihuahuan Desert ◽  
Haplotype Diversity ◽  
Genetic Homogeneity ◽  
Significant Percentage ◽  
Tectonic Processes ◽  
D Loop ◽  
Demographic Growth

Gopherus flavomarginatus (Testudinidae) is endemic to a series of discontinuous, isolated basins collectively known as the Bolson de Mapimí in the Chihuahuan Desert. Its numbers declined after catastrophic levels of exploitation during the mid-20th century. However currently, the Bolson Tortoise appears to be on a path to recovery owing to intensive, sustained conservation efforts. We sequenced an 842-bp-long fragment of the D-loop from 76 individuals distributed throughout the species’ range. The results revealed only two haplotypes. An AMOVA showed that 95% of the variance occurred among populations, whereas the remaining 5% was explained by genetic differences within populations. Tectonic processes together with ecological transformation during the Pleistocene and Holocene may be responsible for the reduction in this species’ genetic variation. A bottleneck during which a significant percentage of the haplotype diversity was lost would result in genetic homogeneity. Although there is demographic growth, the lack of genetic diversity is indicative of the potential crisis that the Bolson Tortoise is facing, and awareness must be brought to this situation.

scholarly journals Post-Disturbance Genetic Changes: The Impact of the 2010 Mega-Earthquake and Tsunami on Chilean Sandy Beach Fauna

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Brante ◽  
Garen Guzmán-Rendón ◽  
Erwin M. Barría ◽  
Marie-Laure Guillemin ◽  
Iván Vera-Escalona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Haplotype Diversity ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Species Response ◽  
Emerita Analoga ◽  
Mtdna Sequence ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Earthquake/tsunamis can have profound impacts on species and their genetic patterns. It is expected that the magnitude of this impact might depend on the species and the time since the disturbance occurs, nevertheless these assumptions remain mostly unexplored. Here we studied the genetic responses of the crustacean species Emerita analoga, Excirolana hirsuticauda, and Orchestoidea tuberculata to the 27F mega-earthquake/tsunami that occurred in Chile in February 2010. mtDNA sequence analyses revealed a lower haplotype diversity for E. analoga and E. hirsuticauda in impacted areas one month after the 27F, and the opposite for O. tuberculata. Three years after the 27F we observed a recovery in the genetic diversity of E. analoga and E. hirsuticauda and decrease in the genetic diversity in O. tuberculata in 2/3 of sampled areas. Emerita analoga displayed decrease of genetic differentiation and increase in gene flow explained by long-range population expansion. The other two species revealed slight increase in the number of genetic groups, little change in gene flow and no signal of population expansion associated to adult survival, rapid colonization, and capacity to burrow in the sand. Our results reveal that species response to a same disturbance event could be extremely diverse and depending on life-history traits and the magnitude of the effect.

Assessing prehistoric genetic structure and diversity of North American elk (Cervus elaphus) populations in Alberta, Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.F. Speller ◽  
B. Kooyman ◽  
A.T. Rodrigues ◽  
E.G. Langemann ◽  
R.M. Jobin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
North American ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
North American Elk ◽  
Common Era

North American elk (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) are an important component of Canada’s natural ecosystems. Overhunting and habitat decline in the 19th century led to the near eradication of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni Bailey, 1935) and Manitoban elk (Cervus elaphus manitobensis Millais, 1915) within Alberta. Though elk populations have been restored within provincial and national parks, it is unknown to what degree historic population declines affected overall genetic diversity and population structuring of the two subspecies. This study targeted 551 bp of mitochondrial D-loop DNA from 50 elk remains recovered from 16 archaeological sites (2260 BCE (before common era) to 1920 CE (common era)) to examine the former genetic diversity and population structure of Alberta’s historic elk populations. Comparisons of ancient and modern haplotype and nucleotide diversity suggest that historic population declines reduced the mitochondrial diversity of Manitoban elk, while translocation of animals from Yellowstone National Park in the early 20th century served to maintain the diversity of Rocky Mountain populations. Gene flow between the two subspecies was significantly higher in the past than today, suggesting that the two subspecies previously formed a continuous population. These data on precontact genetic diversity and gene flow in Alberta elk provide essential baseline data integral for elk management and conservation in the province.

scholarly journals The Endangered Species Dioon edule in the Sierra Madre Oriental in San Luis Potosí: Demography and Genetic Diversity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Rubio-Méndez ◽  
Alberto Prado ◽  
Jacqueline C. Bede ◽  
José Arturo De-Nova ◽  
Joel Flores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Endangered Species ◽  
Sierra Madre Oriental ◽  
Adaptation Capacity ◽  
San Luis ◽  
Sierra Madre ◽  
San Luis Potosi ◽  
Dioon Edule ◽  
San Luis Potosí

The distribution of the endangered species Dioon edule is in populations scattered throughout the Sierra Madre Oriental in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Its habitat is tropical dry forests at lower elevations and oak forests at higher elevations, mainly disturbed by anthropic activities. We determined and analyzed nine populations’ demographic structure and explored the genetic diversity of five using SSR markers. The population density averaged 2050 individuals ha-1 and have an aggregated distribution pattern. Differences in the plants’ size among localities are due to site quality, based on their adaptation capacity and response to climate and soil traits. Most populations have the highest mortality in the early stages of life, with a low mortality rate for those who survive this bottleneck. Two populations have a relatively constant mortality rate, attributed to disturbance of the habitat. The populations show low genetic diversity and an excess of homozygotes. Their similarity is probably related to the formation of natural corridors favoring connectivity between populations. The deterioration and fragmentation of the habitat have severe effects on the populations’ viability, like reducing gene flow, which has led to inbreeding and genetic drift.

scholarly journals Assisted gene flow using cryopreserved sperm in critically endangered coral

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (38) ◽  
pp. e2110559118
Author(s):  
Mary Hagedorn ◽  
Christopher A. Page ◽  
Keri L. O’Neil ◽  
Daisy M. Flores ◽  
Lucas Tichy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Western Caribbean ◽  
At Risk Populations ◽  
Cryopreserved Sperm

Assisted gene flow (AGF) is a conservation intervention to accelerate species adaptation to climate change by importing genetic diversity into at-risk populations. Corals exemplify both the need for AGF and its technical challenges; corals have declined in abundance, suffered pervasive reproductive failures, and struggled to adapt to climate change, yet mature corals cannot be easily moved for breeding, and coral gametes lose viability within hours. Here, we report the successful demonstration of AGF in corals using cryopreserved sperm that was frozen for 2 to 10 y. We fertilized Acropora palmata eggs from the western Caribbean (Curaçao) with cryopreserved sperm from genetically distinct populations in the eastern and central Caribbean (Florida and Puerto Rico, respectively). We then confirmed interpopulation parentage in the Curaçao–Florida offspring using 19,696 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers. Thus, we provide evidence of reproductive compatibility of a Caribbean coral across a recognized barrier to gene flow. The 6-mo survival of AGF offspring was 42%, the highest ever achieved in this species, yielding the largest wildlife population ever raised from cryopreserved material. By breeding a critically endangered coral across its range without moving adults, we show that AGF using cryopreservation is a viable conservation tool to increase genetic diversity in threatened marine populations.

scholarly journals Fine-scale Population Structure of North American Arabidopsis thaliana Reveals Multiple Sources of Introduction from Across Eurasia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gautam Shirsekar ◽  
Jane Devos ◽  
Sergio M. Latorre ◽  
Andreas Blaha ◽  
Maique Queiroz Dias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
North American ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Haplotype Diversity ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Haplotypic Diversity ◽  
Introduced Range

AbstractLarge-scale movement of organisms across their habitable range, or migration, is an important evolutionary process that can contribute to observed patterns of genetic diversity and our understanding of the adaptive spread of alleles. While human migrations have been studied in great detail with modern and ancient genomes, recent anthropogenic influence on reducing the biogeographical constraints on the migration of non-native species has presented opportunities in several study systems to ask the questions about how repeated introductions shape genetic diversity in the introduced range. We present here the most comprehensive view of population structure of North American Arabidopsis thaliana by studying a set of 500 (whole-genome sequenced) and over 2800 (RAD-seq genotyped) individuals in the context of global diversity represented by Afro-Eurasian genomes. We use haplotype-sharing, phylogenetic modeling and rare-allele sharing based methods to identify putative sources of introductions of extant N. American A. thaliana from the native range of Afro-Eurasia. We find evidence of admixture among the introduced lineages that has resulted in the increased haplotype diversity and reduced mutational load. Further, we also present signals of selection in the immune-system related genes that impart qualitative disease resistance to pathogens of bacterial and oomycete origins. Thus, multiple introductions to a non-native range can quickly increase adaptive potential of a colonizing species by increasing haplotypic diversity through admixture. The results presented here lay the foundation for further investigations into the functional significance of admixture.

Introduction

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Richard Frankham ◽  
Jonathan D. Ballou ◽  
Katherine Ralls ◽  
Mark D. B. Eldridge ◽  
Michele R. Dudash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Genetic Erosion ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Genetic Management ◽  
Loss Of Genetic Diversity

Genetic management of fragmented populations is one of the major, largely unaddressed issues in biodiversity conservation. Many species across the planet have fragmented distributions with small isolated populations that are potentially suffering from inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity (genetic erosion), leading to elevated extinction risk. Fortunately, genetic deterioration can usually be remedied by gene flow from another population (crossing between populations within species), yet this is rarely done, in part because of fears that crossing may be harmful (but we can predict when this will occur). We address management of gene flow between previously isolated populations and genetic management under global climate change.

scholarly journals Multiple Sources of Introduction of North American Arabidopsis thaliana from across Eurasia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gautam Shirsekar ◽  
Jane Devos ◽  
Sergio M Latorre ◽  
Andreas Blaha ◽  
Maique Queiroz Dias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
North American ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Haplotype Diversity ◽  
Evolutionary Process ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Multiple Introductions ◽  
Haplotypic Diversity ◽  
Introduced Range

Abstract Large-scale movement of organisms across their habitable range, or migration, is an important evolutionary process that can shape genetic diversity and influence the adaptive spread of alleles. Although human migrations have been studied in great detail with modern and ancient genomes, recent anthropogenic influence on reducing the biogeographical constraints on the migration of nonnative species has presented opportunities in several study systems to ask the questions about how repeated introductions shape genetic diversity in the introduced range. We present an extensive overview of population structure of North American Arabidopsis thaliana by studying a set of 500 whole-genome sequenced and over 2,800 RAD-seq genotyped individuals in the context of global diversity represented by Afro-Eurasian genomes. We use methods based on haplotype and rare-allele sharing as well as phylogenetic modeling to identify likely sources of introductions of extant N. American A. thaliana from the native range in Africa and Eurasia. We find evidence of admixture among the introduced lineages having increased haplotype diversity and reduced mutational load. We also detect signals of selection in immune-system-related genes that may impart qualitative disease resistance to pathogens of bacterial and oomycete origin. We conclude that multiple introductions to a nonnative range can rapidly enhance the adaptive potential of a colonizing species by increasing haplotypic diversity through admixture. Our results lay the foundation for further investigations into the functional significance of admixture.

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