Review
Forestry
Alejandra Lorena Goncalves, Maria Victoria Garcia, Maria Eugenia Barrandeguy, Santiago Cesar Gonzalez-Martinez, Myriam Heuertz
Summary: Gene dispersal processes play a significant role in shaping the demographic and microevolutionary dynamics of tree species. This review examines the drivers of gene dispersal, including the mating system, population density, propagule dispersal, and successional stage, and their consequences for gene dispersal in tree species from seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF). Understanding these determinants can inform management actions for the conservation and restoration of SDTF.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Maya C. Mould, Michele Huet, Lou Senegas, Borja Mila, Christophe Thebaud, Yann Bourgeois, Alexis S. Chaine
Summary: Categorizing individuals into discrete forms in colour polymorphic species can overlook more subtle patterns in coloration that can be of functional significance. To understand the evolution of colour polymorphisms, it is critical to quantify inter-individual variation in these species at both within- and between-morph levels. For the Reunion grey white-eye, our analysis revealed that the grey-brown coloration was largely influenced by genetic factors, while variation in smaller light patches was primarily related to age and sex. These findings emphasize the importance of characterizing subtle plumage variation beyond observable morph categories.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Rainbow DeSilva, Richard S. Dodd
Summary: Patterns of dispersal play a crucial role in shaping genetic diversity within and among populations, especially in the face of environmental changes. Research on giant sequoia populations revealed predominantly outcrossing with moderate levels of inbreeding, low diversity in the pollen pool, and significant genetic structure at fine spatial scales. The findings suggest a potential for restoration planting to mitigate diversity loss in giant sequoia populations.
Article
Ecology
Martina Pavlek, Jeremy Gauthier, Vanina Tonzo, Julia Bilat, Miquel A. Arnedo, Nadir Alvarez
Summary: The subterranean ecosystem imposes strong selection pressures on organisms, leading to the development of adaptations known as troglomorphism in cave-dwelling species. Traditional sampling difficulties in cave ecosystems have hindered research progress. In this study, a museomics approach was used to compare the genetic population structures of five cave spider species in the northern Dinarides. The results revealed deeper population structuring and more pronounced patterns of isolation in highly troglomorphic ground dwellers, while web-building species showed less structured populations and higher dispersal ability. The spatial distribution of genetic groups suggested the importance of environmental features in driving dispersal potential and shaping underground diversity.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Carolyn A. Wessinger
Summary: Pollinators influence patterns of plant speciation by affecting pollen dispersal rates, which in turn impact population structure and rates of species formation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Naoko Emura, Tomoaki Muranaka, Takaya Iwasaki, Mie N. Honjo, Atsushi J. Nagano, Yuji Isagi, Hiroshi Kudoh
Summary: The study on S. taccada plant reveals that fruit morphology can strongly influence genetic structure. Beach populations bridge the heterogeneous landscapes by producing two different fruit types, while elevated sites rely on bird dispersal of the pulp morph to achieve genetic dispersal. The differences in fruit morphology lead to contrasting patterns of gene flow.
Article
Ecology
Janette A. Norman, Les Christidis
Summary: Wildlife translocations are recognized as a valuable conservation tool in Australia, especially in the context of the recent bushfire crisis affecting koala habitat. The lack of a spatial framework for translocation policies could lead to unexpected outcomes, and the proposal of a spatial genetic framework based on population genetic structure and dispersal patterns aims to address these concerns and improve conservation outcomes. Integration of this framework into decision-making processes is expected to benefit the management and conservation of koalas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Takata, Fumihito Iwase, Akira Iguchi, Hideaki Yuasa, Hiroki Taninaka, Nozomu Iwasaki, Kouji Uda, Tomohiko Suzuki, Masanori Nonaka, Taisei Kikuchi, Nina Yasuda
Summary: Estimating the spatial extent of gamete and larval dispersal of deep-sea coral species is challenging but crucial for their conservation. The study examined the spatial genetic structure of Corallium japonicum off the coast of Kochi, finding that over 700 neutral SNPs were needed to detect significant spatial genetic structure and suggesting the local extinction of the species within an approximately 11 km diameter should be avoided through over-harvesting prevention measures.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Sarah Petermann, Sabine Otto, Gerrit Eichner, Marc F. Schetelig
Summary: The study found that the SWD populations in Germany are highly homogeneous, without differences between populations or years, indicating good adaptation and minimal external invasions. However, the high genetic variability and migration between populations could lead to a rapid establishment of the pest species.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Victor Boussange, Loic Pellissier
Summary: This study investigates the impact of habitat connectivity and heterogeneity on phenotypic differentiation using a stochastic eco-evolutionary model. The research reveals that both low connectivity and heterogeneity promote neutral differentiation, while habitat assortativity drives differentiation under habitat-dependent selection. The study establishes fundamental links between landscape features and phenotypic differentiation, providing insights into how habitat connectivity and heterogeneity affect differentiation.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Annika Herrero, Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Katja Holmala, Simo N. Maduna, Alexander Kopatz, Hans Geir Eiken, Snorre B. Hagen
Summary: This study analyzed the dispersal patterns of Eurasian lynx in southern Finland, showing a male-biased dispersal and female philopatry. Female genetic structuring increased from west to east within the study area. Detection of male-biased dispersal was influenced by analytical methods, genetic structuring consideration, and population delineation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Talitha Mayumi Francisco, Dayvid Rodrigues Couto, Mario Luis Garbin, Flora Misaki, Carlos Ramon Ruiz-Miranda
Summary: Our study found that the environment created by phorophytes is more important in structuring epiphyte communities, with phorophyte size playing a major role within the environmental component. Neutral and niche-based processes act on vascular epiphyte species, but differently in inselberg and cloud forest ecosystems. Larger phorophytes promote epiphyte abundance, richness, and diversity by increasing area, colonization time, or microhabitat heterogeneity.
PERSPECTIVES IN PLANT ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Miranda A. Sinnott-Armstrong, Michael J. Donoghue, Walter J. Jetz
Summary: The study found that fruit colours are influenced by both dispersers and environmental factors, and there is interaction between the two. In warm areas, bird-associated fruit colours become more distinct with higher prevalence of bird frugivores, whereas in cold places these colours dominate regardless of the prevalence of mammalian dispersers.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew M. Kling, David D. Ackerly
Summary: Wind plays a crucial role in shaping large-scale landscape genetic patterns for wind-pollinated or wind-dispersed plants, affecting genetic similarity, gene flow ratios, and genetic diversity among populations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Fisheries
Nicole M. Phillips, Floriaan Devloo-Delva, Carly McCall, Toby S. Daly-Engel
Summary: Current studies indicate the presence of some degree of male-biased dispersal in elasmobranchs, but factors such as the pooling of different life stages during data analysis and the inherent characteristics of different marker types may lead to an overemphasis on male dispersal, potentially obscuring genetic signals of female and male reproductive philopatry.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Peter Anton Hagl, Roberta Gargiulo, Michael F. Fay, Cedrique Solofondranohatra, Jordi Salmona, Uxue Suescun, Nantenaina Rakotomalala, Caroline E. R. Lehmann, Guillaume Besnard, Alexander S. T. Papadopulos, Maria S. Vorontsova
Summary: Research on Loudetia simplex reveals that it is native to both Madagascar and South Africa, likely colonized Madagascar from Africa in a single event, followed by diversification within Madagascar. Different genetic clusters are associated with distinct precipitation and temperature patterns.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberta Gargiulo, Tiiu Kull, Michael F. Fay
Summary: The study aims to bridge the gap between the applicability of RAD sequencing in nonmodel plants with large genomes and the use of loci for population genetic inference. It provides a complete workflow from library preparation to genetic diversity and differentiation inference, emphasizing the importance of quality checks and filtering strategies. The study highlights the necessity of exploring and adapting filtering strategies to dismiss potentially misleading data and not neglecting the occurrence of organellar sequences in libraries for reliable results.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sylvain Schmitt, Niklas Tysklind, Myriam Heuertz, Bruno Herault
Summary: Research shows that tree species in tropical forests have genetically determined growth strategies in response to treefall gaps and adapt to different light and competition environments. Fast-growing genotypes are more common in light-enriched environments, while slow-growing genotypes are more common in shaded environments.
Article
Plant Sciences
S. Schmitt, S. Trueba, S. Coste, E. Ducouret, N. Tysklind, M. Heuertz, D. Bonal, B. Burban, B. Herault, G. Derroire
Summary: The dry and wet seasons in the Neotropics have significant effects on leaf traits, such as thickness and water mass per area, in tropical rainforest trees. Reduced soil water availability during the dry season leads to increased leaf thickness and water mass per area, possibly due to stomatal closure.
Review
Ecology
Evelyn L. Jensen, David Diez-del-Molino, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, Laura D. Bertola, Filipa Borges, Vlatka Cubric-Curik, Miguel de Navascues, Peter Frandsen, Myriam Heuertz, Christina Hvilsom, Belen Jimenez-Mena, Antti Miettinen, Markus Moest, Patricia Pecnerova, Ian Barnes, Cristiano Vernesi
Summary: Genetic diversity, including ancient and historical DNA, plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation. However, it has not been adequately incorporated into conservation policies and regulations. Utilizing genetic information from ancient and historical specimens can help resolve key conservation issues and assist countries in meeting their obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Andre Carneiro Muniz, Ricardo Jose Gonzaga Pimenta, Mariana Vargas Cruz, Jacqueline Gomes Rodrigues, Renata Santiago de Oliveira Buzatti, Myriam Heuertz, Jose P. Lemos-Filho, Maria Bernadete Lovato
Summary: The ecotonal areas between the Cerrado and the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are important hybrid zones that contribute to the evolutionary divergence of the widely distributed tree Plathymenia reticulata. The genetic structure analysis reveals that the forest ecotype is threatened by habitat loss and should be managed separately from the savanna ecotype.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Clarisse Palma-Silva, Andreia Carina Turchetto-Zolet, Michael F. Fay, Thais Vasconcelos
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Forestry
Alejandra Lorena Goncalves, Maria Victoria Garcia, Maria Eugenia Barrandeguy, Santiago Cesar Gonzalez-Martinez, Myriam Heuertz
Summary: Gene dispersal processes play a significant role in shaping the demographic and microevolutionary dynamics of tree species. This review examines the drivers of gene dispersal, including the mating system, population density, propagule dispersal, and successional stage, and their consequences for gene dispersal in tree species from seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF). Understanding these determinants can inform management actions for the conservation and restoration of SDTF.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sean Hoban, Michael W. Bruford, Jessica M. da Silva, W. Chris Funk, Richard Frankham, Michael J. Gill, Catherine E. Grueber, Myriam Heuertz, Margaret E. Hunter, Francine Kershaw, Robert C. Lacy, Caroline Lees, Margarida Lopes-Fernandes, Anna J. MacDonald, Alicia Mastretta-Yanes, Philip J. K. McGowan, Mariah H. Meek, Joachim Mergeay, Katie L. Millette, Cinnamon S. Mittan-Moreau, Laetitia M. Navarro, David O'Brien, Rob Ogden, Gernot Segelbacher, Ivan Paz-Vinas, Cristiano Vernesi, Linda Laikre
Summary: The goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) have evolved to include maintaining genetic diversity, restoring genetic connectivity, developing national conservation strategies, and reporting on these using feasible indicators.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Michael F. Fay
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Roberta Gargiulo, Robin S. Waples, Adri K. Grow, Richard P. Shefferson, Juan Viruel, Michael F. Fay, Tiiu Kull
Summary: Estimating effective population size (N-e) is important, but it remains challenging for organisms with complex life-history traits. In this study, we examined how clonal versus sexual reproduction affected N-e in two populations of the orchid Cypripedium calceolus. The results showed that N-e in partially clonal plants cannot be predicted solely based on the number of genets generated by sexual reproduction.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huiying Shang, David L. Field, Ovidiu Paun, Martha Rendon-Anaya, Jaqueline Hess, Claus Vogl, Jianquan Liu, Par K. Ingvarsson, Christian Lexer, Thibault Leroy
Summary: Genomic landscapes of nucleotide diversity and differentiation are investigated to understand speciation processes. Resequencing 201 whole genomes from 8 closely related Populus species reveals extensive introgression between some species pairs. Conserved patterns of genomic divergence across species pairs are observed, with signatures of linked selection, gene flow, and standing genetic variation identified.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sean Hoban, Jessica M. da Silva, Alicia Mastretta-Yanes, Catherine E. Grueber, Myriam Heuertz, Margaret E. Hunter, Joachim Mergeay, Ivan Paz-Vinas, Keiichi Fukaya, Fumiko Ishihama, Rebecca Jordan, Viktoria Koppa, Maria Camilla Latorre-Cardenas, Anna J. MacDonald, Victor Rincon-Parra, Per Sjogren-Gulve, Naoki Tani, Henrik Thurfjell, Linda Laikre
Summary: Recent scientific evidence emphasizes the importance of maintaining and monitoring genetic diversity for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Three genetic diversity indicators, including non-DNA based assessments, have been proposed for reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity and other conservation initiatives. These indicators allow for an approximation of genetic diversity using existing demographic and geographic information, informing policy decisions. Ongoing efforts in calculating and applying these indicators, as well as addressing implementation challenges, are described, highlighting the potential of using existing biodiversity observation data to report on genetic diversity.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jacopo Calevo, Maarten J. M. Christenhusz, Michael F. Fay
Summary: Orchis patens was previously believed to have three disjunct populations in northern Italy, Algeria/Tunisia, and the Canary Islands. While the population in the Canary Islands is commonly referred to as O. canariensis, there has been doubt about the name for the Italian taxon because the type specimen of O. patens is from the Algerian populations. In this study, we reviewed the taxonomic literature and provided a key based on recently published molecular data for these three taxa in the Orchis section Robustocalcare. We concluded that Orchis patens subsp. brevicornis is the correct name for the Italian taxon.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carly Cowell, Alan Paton, James S. Borrell, China Williams, Paul Wilkin, Alexandre Antonelli, William J. Baker, Richard Buggs, Michael F. Fay, Roberta Gargiulo, Olwen M. Grace, Benedikt G. Kuhnhauser, Yannick Woudstra, Paul J. Kersey
Summary: Digitized molecular data, referred to as Digital Sequence Information (DSI), are crucial for scientific research and genetic resource utilization, but access and benefit-sharing concerns remain unresolved due to lack of clear definitions and governance.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2022)