Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rocio Gomez, Rocio M. Neri-Bazan, Araceli Posadas-Mondragon, Pablo A. Vizcaino-Dorado, Jonathan J. Magana, Jose Leopoldo Aguilar-Faisal
Summary: In this study, 15 hypervariable molecular markers were selected and analyzed in 210 captive dolphins to evaluate their usefulness. The proposed set of markers can help maintain genetic diversity and can be applied to other endangered species in conservation programs.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yuliang Jiang, Tsam Ju, Linda E. Neaves, Jialiang Li, Weining Tan, Yusong Huang, Yan Liu, Kangshan Mao
Summary: The population genetic assessment of the endangered Xanthocyparis vietnamensis reveals low genetic diversity, a genetic bottleneck, significant genetic differentiation between northern and southern population groups, as well as differentiation in ploidy level. This suggests that heterogeneous geomorphology and historical events have contributed to population fragmentation and small population size in X. vietnamensis. It is proposed that two different management units should be considered for conservation measures.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Nina Vasiljevic, Nadja V. Morf, Josef Senn, Silvia Perez-Espona, Federica Mattucci, Nadia Mucci, Gaia Moore-Jones, Simone Roberto Rolando Pisano, Adelgunde Kratzer, Rob Ogden
Summary: This study investigates the recolonization of roe deer in Switzerland in the early 1800s and finds evidence of natural immigration from neighboring countries. The study also reveals weak genetic differentiation among different topographic regions in Switzerland. The genetic data support the recognition of a single roe deer management unit in Switzerland and the potential for geographic origin assignment using nuclear markers for law enforcement purposes.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shawna J. Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Mevin B. Hooten, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Summary: Habitat fragmentation and degradation have a significant impact on an organism's gene flow and extinction risk. Understanding the effects of landscape composition and scale on gene flow is crucial for conservation decision-making. Using a landscape genetics approach, we identified sagebrush habitat as the primary driver of connectivity for Gunnison sage-grouse.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jorge Hernandez-Garcia, Carlos Pedraza-Lara, Judith A. Rangel Mendoza, Claudia Elena Zenteno-Ruiz
Summary: The study found that the T. venusta species in the Usumacinta river basin has high genetic diversity, high gene flow, and no genetic structure, forming a single panmictic population. Despite high connectivity among most populations, evidence of a genetic bottleneck was observed in some wild populations and the captive population, possibly influenced by poaching or habitat fragmentation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ningxin Gu, Guoling Chen, Jia Yang, Chenqing Zheng, Xiaohui Gao, Leyang Yuan, Siyu Wang, Zhongyong Fan, Yiwei Lu, Gang Song, Shuihua Chen, Yang Liu
Summary: The Chinese Crested Tern is one of the most endangered seabird species in the world, with lower genetic diversity and signals of post-bottleneck population expansion observed. The study also found introgression between Chinese Crested Tern and Great Crested Tern.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lisa Dickel, Peter Arcese, Pirmin Nietlisbach, Lukas F. Keller, Henrik Jensen, Jane M. Reid
Summary: Immigration into small recipient populations is expected to alleviate inbreeding and increase genetic variation, with immigrants typically being outbred and unrelated to existing natives and each other. This can facilitate population persistence through genetic and/or evolutionary rescue.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Declan R. Morris, Todd J. McWhorter, Wayne S. J. Boardman, Greg Simpson, Jeanette Wentzel, Jannie Coetzee, Ferreira Du Plessis, Yoshan Moodley
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the population structure and genetic diversity of leopard populations in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. The results showed genetic structuring and gene flow among the populations. The findings highlight the importance of conserving all leopard populations in South Africa for maintaining genetic diversity and protecting the species.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Delphine B. H. Chabanne, Simon J. Allen, William Bruce Sherwin, Hugh Finn, Michael Krutzen
Summary: The study conducted on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Perth found four behavioral communities with similar genetic structures but small differentiation due to related individuals within communities. The high levels of contemporary migration and related individuals among communities suggest a panmictic genetic population with continuous gene flow. Despite genetic similarity, each social community should be considered a distinct ecological unit for conservation due to exposure to different threats and occurrence in different habitats.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Sarah Maria Vargas, Ana Carolina Barcelos, Rita Gomes Rocha, Paula Guimaraes, Lais Amorim, Arturo Martinelli, Fabricio Rodrigues Santos, Jose Erickson, Ana Claudia Jorge Marcondes, Sandra Ludwig
Summary: This study conducted genetic assessment of the South West Atlantic subpopulation of leatherback turtles and found genetic differences and two different genetic clusters. The low number of reproductive females in the subpopulation may be due to breeding occurrence in other nesting areas, as well as mating behaviors and inbreeding avoidance. The low remigration rates estimated for the subpopulation may be related to high mortality rates at sea.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Nia E. Thomas, Frank Hailer, Michael W. Bruford, Elizabeth A. Chadwick
Summary: The population growth and recolonization of the Eurasian otter have been observed after environmental and legal protection, but genetic recovery lags behind spatial and demographic recovery, and there is still strong genetic structure among the main subpopulations.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Jake M. Mulvaney, Conrad A. Matthee, Michael Cherry
Summary: Species dependent on fragmented habitats in South Africa are facing declines in population size and disruption of gene flow due to landscape transformation. The study found that landscape features play a crucial role in maintaining gene flow for forest-dependent birds, with some species more impacted than others by anthropogenic landscape changes.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
A. C. Jackson
Summary: The study fills the gaps in marine biodiversity information with records collected by volunteers, using the Sparta model to show the population crash of P. elephas in the 1970s and its apparent re-establishment in southwest England.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jorge Gutierrez-Rodriguez, Joao Goncalves, Emilio Civantos, Bruno Maia-Carvalho, Carlos Caballero-Diaz, Helena Goncalves, Inigo Martinez-Solano
Summary: This study investigated the factors affecting functional connectivity patterns in two amphibian species in central Spain. The availability of water resources strongly influenced population connectivity, and the two species responded differently to landscape features. The study highlights the importance of considering species-habitat relationships when developing conservation strategies for fragmented amphibian populations in the Mediterranean region.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kayla M. Fast, Brook L. Fluker, Bernard R. Kuhajda, Patrick E. O'Neil, Stuart W. McGregor, Matthew S. Piteo, Michael W. Sandel
Summary: The southeastern United States is a hotspot of biodiversity, but small-stream-inhabiting fish such as the Trispot Darter (Etheostoma trisella) face population declines and genetic isolation due to destruction and fragmentation of their habitats. This study used genetic markers to evaluate the population structure and diversity of E. trisella. The results showed evidence of historical connectivity between populations, but recent isolation. Three distinct genetic groups were identified, corresponding to different geographic localities. The study also highlighted the importance of riverine isolation in structuring populations. Understanding the distribution and habitat occupancy of E. trisella populations is crucial for future conservation efforts.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Giulio Formenti, Kathrin Theissinger, Carlos Fernandes, Iliana Bista, Aureliano Bombarely, Christoph Bleidorn, Claudio Ciofi, Angelica Crottini, Jose A. Godoy, Jacob Hoglund, Joanna Malukiewicz, Alice Mouton, Rebekah A. Oomen, Sadye Paez, Per J. Palsboll, Christophe Pampoulie, Maria J. Ruiz-Lopez, Hannes Svardal, Constantina Theofanopoulou, Jan de Vries, Ann-Marie Waldvogel, Guojie Zhang, Camila J. Mazzoni, Erich D. Jarvis, Miklos Balint
Summary: Progress in genome sequencing has enabled the generation of large-scale reference genomes, representing global biodiversity. These genomes provide unique insights into genomic diversity and architecture, allowing comprehensive analyses in population and functional genomics, and are expected to revolutionize conservation genomics.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Barbanti, Janice M. Blumenthal, Annette C. Broderick, Brendan J. Godley, Alejandro Prat-Varela, Maria Turmo, Marta Pascual, Carlos Carreras
Summary: This study examines the rise of two wild populations of green turtles in the Cayman Islands as a result of a reintroduction program, showing that reintroduction can establish new populations and that philopatry may contribute to their success.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jose E. Garcia-Raso, Enrique Gonzalez-Ortegon, Ferran Palero, Jose A. Cuesta
Summary: Integrative taxonomy studies have clarified taxonomic problems in cryptic species within the genus Inachus. A new species has been described and distribution data provided. Specimens of a related species with unique sternal morphology were collected and examined. The re-examination of certain specimens also sheds light on previous reports. These results contribute to the understanding of species within this group.
JOURNAL OF CRUSTACEAN BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sukonthip Savatenalinton, Ferran Palero, Francesc Mesquita-Joanes
Summary: Pseudocypretta maculata, a species from Thailand, is redescribed with its diagnostic features such as marginal septa, Wouters organ, and serrated claw G2. Molecular and morphological evidence support its placement within the tribe Cyprettadopsini.
JOURNAL OF CRUSTACEAN BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Margarita C. G. Correa, Ferran Palero, Vitor C. Pacheco da Silva, M. Bora Kaydan, Jean-Francois Germain, Shaaban Abd-Rabou, Kent M. Daane, Arturo Cocco, Elie Poulin, Thibaut Malausa
Summary: This study used molecular tools and morphological analysis to investigate the mealybug Planococcus ficus in the Eastern Mediterranean region, and found two distinct species: P. ficus and P. vitis. These results have direct implications for pest management and may explain the previous failures of biological control programs against this pest in several vineyard regions.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Alberto Sendra, Ferran Palero, Alba Sanchez-Garcia, Jesus Selfa, Sadreddin Tusun, Ali Satar
Summary: A new genus of cave-dwelling dipluran, Anatoliacampa diclensis, is described from southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. This new taxon belongs to the well-established subfamily Plusiocampinae and has unique morphological characteristics, including a distinctive pretarsus and abundant urosternal macrosetae. The discovery of this new genus provides new evidence for the colonization of Euro-Mediterranean lands by cave-adapted Plusiocampinae and their soil-dwelling relatives, highlighting the importance of Anatolia as a land bridge.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hector Torrado, Cinta Pegueroles, Nuria Raventos, Carlos Carreras, Enrique Macpherson, Marta Pascual
Summary: This study investigated selective mortality between settlers and six-month survivors of the sharpsnout seabream using genomic data and information on different life stages. The researchers found common signals across localities for potential selection, such as lower survival rates for individuals hatching earlier and experiencing higher temperatures during their planktonic phase. They identified several loci with significant association to phenotypic and environmental variables, including a gene involved in immune response that showed parallel frequency changes in non-synonymous mutations.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marta Gellert, Ferran Palero, Magdalena Blazewicz
Summary: Typhlotanaidae is one of the most diverse Tanaidacea families in deep-sea waters, but its diversity is underestimated and the evolutionary relationships within the family are mostly unknown. An integrative taxonomy approach combining morphology and genetic data was used to study deep-sea typhlotanaids from the NW Pacific, revealing new taxa and supporting the monophyly of known groups.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Gellert, Ferran Palero, Magdalena Blazewicz
Summary: Re-examination of historical collections helped to resolve the taxonomic status of Typhlotanais sandersi. The original holotype was considered lost, but a second specimen was used to redescribe the species and place it in the newly established genus Typhlamia. However, further analysis revealed that the redescribed specimen was mislabeled and actually represented a new species of Typhlamia. Based on morphological and genetic evidence, a new genus was established to accommodate Ty. sandersi, Ty. angusticheles, and a third species from the North Atlantic. The study also provides a summary of knowledge on 'long-bodied' typhlotanaids with rounded pereonites and a taxonomical key for their identification.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yiguan Wang, Paul McNeil, Rashidatu Abdulazeez, Marta Pascual, Susan E. Johnston, Peter D. Keightley, Darren J. Obbard
Summary: Mutation, recombination, and transposition rates are important parameters in models of evolution, but little is known about their variation between individuals, sexes, or populations. This study provides direct estimates of these rates in different populations of Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans. The results show variation in mutation, recombination, and transposition rates among populations and sexes, with paternal-derived mutations being more frequent. These findings will benefit future studies in population and evolutionary genetics.
Article
Ornithology
Ivan Alambiaga, Roberto Gonzalez, Pablo Vera, Juan S. Monros, Ferran Palero
Summary: This study reports the first complete mitogenome of the eastern Iberian reed bunting (E. s. witherbyi) and compares it with an unpublished mitogenome from northeast Asia (most likely E. s. pyrrhulina). Genetic distance analyses reveal two distinct lineages of E. schoeniclus. A fossil-calibrated phylogeny suggests that open forest buntings have undergone two rapid speciation events correlating with climatic changes and habitat shifts. The adaptation to wetlands may have facilitated the expansion of reed bunting across the Palearctic, resulting in high intraspecific variation and the establishment of resident populations within small areas.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ainhoa Lopez, Carlos Carreras, Marta Pascual, Cinta Pegueroles
Summary: Conservation genomic studies rely on reduced representation sequencing techniques based on restriction enzymes. This study evaluated the distribution and functional composition of loci obtained using Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) in different species. The selection of restriction enzymes was found to affect the enrichment of loci in specific regions and emphasized the importance of high-quality annotated genomes.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Kathrin Theissinger, Carlos Fernandes, Giulio Formenti, Iliana Bista, Paul R. Berg, Christoph Bleidorn, Aureliano Bombarely, Angelica Crottini, Guido R. Gallo, Jose A. Godoy, Sissel Jentoft, Joanna Malukiewicz, Alice Mouton, Rebekah A. Oomen, Sadye Paez, Per J. Palsboll, Christophe Pampoulie, Maria J. Ruiz-Lopez, Simona Secomandi, Hannes Svardal, Constantina Theofanopoulou, Jan de Vries, Ann-Marie Waldvogel, Guojie Zhang, Erich D. Jarvis, Miklos Balint, Claudio Ciofi, Robert M. Waterhouse, Camila J. Mazzoni, Jacob Hoglund
Summary: The availability of public genomic resources can greatly assist biodiversity assessment, conservation, and restoration efforts. Reference genomes play a key role in facilitating biodiversity research and conservation. Integrating the use of reference genomes as a best practice in conservation genomics is essential.
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ferdinand Marletaz, Arnaud Couloux, Julie Poulain, Karine Labadie, Corinne Da Silva, Sophie Mangenot, Benjamin Noel, Albert J. Poustka, Philippe Dru, Cinta Pegueroles, Marco Borra, Elijah K. Lowe, Guy Lhomond, Lydia Besnardeau, Stephanie Le Gras, Tao Ye, Daria Gavriouchkina, Roberta Russo, Caterina Costa, Francesca Zito, Letizia Anello, Aldo Nicosia, Maria Antonietta Ragusa, Marta Pascual, M. Dolores Molina, Aline Chessel, Marta Di Carlo, Xavier Turon, Richard R. Copley, Jean-Yves Exposito, Pedro Martinez, Vincenzo Cavalieri, Smadar Ben Tabou de Leon, Jenifer Croce, Paola Oliveri, Valeria Matranga, Maria Di Bernardo, Julia Morales, Patrick Cormier, Anne-Marie Genevieve, Jean Marc Aury, Valerie Barbe, Patrick Wincker, Maria Ina Arnone, Christian Gache, Thierry Lepage
Summary: Through the analysis of genome assembly and gene expression in sea urchins, we have identified unique characteristics in their chromosomal structure and gene duplication. Additionally, we have discovered conserved gene-regulatory modules between sea urchins and chordates. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms behind development.
Review
Ecology
Emma L. Berdan, Nicholas H. Barton, Roger Butlin, Brian Charlesworth, Rui Faria, Ines Fragata, Kimberly J. Gilbert, Paul Jay, Martin Kapun, Katie E. Lotterhos, Claire Merot, Esra Durmaz Mitchell, Marta Pascual, Catherine L. Peichel, Marina Rafajlovic, Anja M. Westram, Stephen W. Schaeffer, Kerstin Johannesson, Thomas Flatt
Summary: Inversions are structural mutations that have a significant impact on adaptation and speciation. However, their study has been challenging due to reduced recombination and the effects of drift and hitchhiking. This review examines the different mechanisms of selection that affect the evolution of inversions, emphasizing the complexity of analyzing the causes underlying their evolution.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
