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
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yuan Wang, Ruilan Dong, Xiao Li, Chao Cui, Guanghui Yu
Summary: This study investigated the conservation status, genetic diversity, family structure, and degree of inbreeding of the Licha black pig population on Jiaodong Peninsula, China. The results provide insights into the management and conservation of this local pig breed. The study suggests utilizing genomic data to improve mating schemes based on family information obtained, in order to maintain genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding.
Article
Ecology
Brendan P. Scherer, Austin Mast
Summary: This study found that the bacterial communities associated with red mangrove propagules are more likely influenced by local environmental acquisition rather than inheritance.
Article
Entomology
Emily Heffernan, Amanda Markee, Mary R. Truglio, Megan Barkdull, Sarah Steele Cabrera, Jaret Daniels
Summary: Biodiversity loss at both species and genetic scales has been exacerbated in recent decades due to habitat fragmentation and destruction. Butterflies, especially the Florida duskywing, can be used as indicators to evaluate the consequences of fragmentation on gene flow and as well as to assess genetic health and connectivity between populations. The genetic studies conducted on the Florida duskywing showed that despite declining population sizes, unique genetic diversity still exists. The results also revealed the presence of two population groups and a moderate gene flow between them, suggesting the potential for translocations to enhance gene flow and support small population sizes.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Marco Tolone, Maria Teresa Sardina, Andrea Criscione, Emiliano Lasagna, Gabriele Senczuk, Ilaria Rizzuto, Silvia Riggio, Angelo Moscarelli, Vito Macaluso, Rosalia Di Gerlando, Martino Cassandro, Baldassare Portolano, Salvatore Mastrangelo
Summary: Italy has a diverse range of local chicken populations, including Val Platani (VPL) and Cornuta (COS), which are important genetic resources. This study used genotype data to investigate the genetic diversity, runs of homozygosity (ROH), population structure, and relationship of these populations. The results showed moderate genetic diversity in both populations, with ROH hotspots associated with immune response and adaptation to local temperatures. The population structure analysis revealed clear clustering based on geographic origin, with COS forming a distinct genomic cluster and VPL showing intermediate relationships with other Italian local chickens.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Barbora Gajdarova, Elisa Belotti, Ludek Bufka, Josefa Volfova, Sybille Woelfl, Tereza Minarikova, Laura Hollerbach, Martin Dula, Oddmund Kleven, Miroslav Kutal, Carsten Nowak, Janis Ozolins, Branislav Tam, Josef Bryja, Petr Koubek, Jarmila Krojerova-Prokesova
Summary: Reintroduced wildlife populations are vulnerable due to limited founder size and isolation. This study analysed genotype data from a Eurasian lynx population over 35 years and found that the population initially lost a quarter of its genetic diversity compared to the source population but remained stable thereafter. Despite isolation and absence of gene flow, inbreeding was relatively low in recent decades due to enforcement and prevention of illegal killings. This study highlights the importance of genetic monitoring.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patricia Pecnerova, Edana Lord, Genis Garcia-Erill, Kristian Hanghoj, Malthe Sebro Rasmussen, Jonas Meisner, Xiaodong Liu, Tom van der Valk, Cindy G. Santander, Liam Quinn, Long Lin, Shanlin Liu, Christian Caroe, Fredrik Dalerum, Anders Gotherstrom, Johannes Masviken, Sergey Vartanyan, Katrine Raundrup, Amal Al-Chaer, Linett Rasmussen, Christina Hvilsom, Mads Peter Heide-Jorgensen, Mikkel-Holger S. Sinding, Peter Aastrup, Peter J. Van Coeverden de Groot, Niels Martin Schmidt, Anders Albrechtsen, Love Dalen, Rasmus Heller, Ida Moltke, Hans Redlef Siegismund
Summary: Genomic studies of species threatened by extinction provide crucial information about evolutionary mechanisms and genetic consequences of population declines and bottlenecks. Studying species that thrive despite past declines can offer insights into how species avoid extinction.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Bin Liu, Linyuan Shen, Zhixian Guo, Mailing Gan, Ying Chen, Runling Yang, Lili Niu, Dongmei Jiang, Zhijun Zhong, Xuewei Li, Shunhua Zhang, Li Zhu
Summary: The molecular study on the population genetic structure of Liangshan pig revealed a loss of genetic diversity during closed cross-generation reproduction, indicating the need to improve mating plans or introduce new external bloodlines for long-term preservation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bingjian Liu, Jiasheng Li, Kun Zhang, Ying Peng, Yifan Liu, Xun Jin, Sixu Zheng, Yunpeng Wang, Liqin Liu, Zhenming Lu, Shufei Zhang, Li Gong
Summary: Using microsatellite markers, this study evaluated the genetic diversity and population structure of Konosirus punctatus in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, revealing five genetically divergent clades and significant isolation by distance. The results suggest that historical climate shifts and environmental factors may contribute to the present-day genetic architecture of K. punctatus, providing new perspectives for effective management strategies.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hsiao-Mei Liang, Kuo-Tai Yang, Yu-Tzu Cheng, Shen-Chang Chang, Cheng-Yung Lin, Ming-Yang Tsai, Der-Yuh Lin, Kuo-Hsiang Hung
Summary: This study investigated the genetic diversity and structure of Formosan sambar deer in Taiwan using microsatellites. The results showed low genetic diversity in captive populations, likely due to inbreeding and bottleneck effects. Two distinct genetic groups were found within the captive populations, but no significant population genetic structure was observed among the captive populations in Taiwan. Introducing new genetic material from the wild can help mitigate the impact of inbreeding and enhance genetic diversity.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Peter Nabutanyi, Meike J. Wittmann
Summary: This article explores the influence of genetic problems on the estimation of minimum viable population size, and proposes corresponding methods and models. The study finds that the interaction of genetic problems significantly affects the size of minimum viable population, and the size changes rapidly with increasing mutation rates or number of loci. Further empirical studies are needed to reveal the interaction of different genetic processes in the genome.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wanda Olech, Marlena Wojciechowska, Marta Kloch, Magdalena Perlinska-Teresiak, Zuza Nowak-Zyczynska
Summary: The European bison is a species that was saved from extinction and reintroduced into nature after decades of captive breeding. Studies have shown that the genetic diversity of the species is very low based on pedigree or marker analysis. This paper presents a summary of long-term genetic monitoring conducted on the worldwide population of European bison. Analysis of genetic data from two genetic lines and different populations revealed low genetic polymorphism and observed heterozygosity.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
John H. Powell, Steven T. Kalinowski, Mark L. Taper, Jay J. Rotella, Corey S. Davis, Robert A. Garrott
Summary: This study used a two-step modeling procedure to estimate inbreeding depression in a population of Weddell seals. The method incorporated the uncertainty in estimating individual inbreeding coefficients and allowed for better evaluation of the biological importance of inbreeding depression. The results showed no evidence of inbreeding depression in reproductive success, survival, age at maturity, and reproductive interval of female seals in this population.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yellapu Srinivas, Bibek Yumnam, Sutirtha Dutta, Yadvendradev Jhala
Summary: The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard is facing imminent extinction due to hunting, habitat loss, and power-line collisions. Conservation agencies are implementing habitat protection and conservation breeding as measures to prevent extinction. Genetic diversity analysis suggests that the largest population in Rajasthan is ideal for sourcing breeders, but additional birds may be needed from other regions to fully capture the extant gene pool of the species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christina L. Richards, Kristen L. Langanke, Jeannie Mounger, Gordon A. Fox, David B. Lewis
Summary: Coastal foundation plant species exhibit phenotypic variation and plasticity in response to environmental conditions such as salinity and nitrogen levels. The response of propagules from different populations of Rhizophora mangle to salinity and nitrogen varied, with changes in succulence, root to shoot biomass allocation, and photosynthetic rate. This variation in phenotypes and plasticity may contribute to adaptation to diverse environmental conditions and climate change within and among populations.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
N. C. Duke
Article
Plant Sciences
Zheng-Zhen Wang, Zi-Xiao Guo, Cai-Rong Zhong, Hao-Min Lyu, Xin-Nian Li, Norman C. Duke, Su-Hua Shi
Summary: Through a study on the mangrove tree, Avicennia marina, we found comprehensive genetic divergence among subspecies, higher than among geographical populations within subspecies. The level of genetic diversity differs significantly among the three subspecies, hinting at a degree of separation among their gene pools.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicolas Younes, Tobin D. Northfield, Karen E. Joyce, Stefan W. Maier, Norman C. Duke, Leo Lymburner
Article
Environmental Sciences
Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, Gordon N. Ajonina, A. Aldrie Amir, Dominic A. Andradi-Brown, Irfan Aziz, Thorsten Balke, Edward B. Barbier, Stefano Cannicci, Simon M. Cragg, Marilia Cunha-Lignon, David J. Curnick, Carlos M. Duarte, Norman C. Duke, Charlie Endsor, Sara Fratini, Ilka C. Feller, Francois Fromard, Jean Hug, Mark Huxham, James G. Kairo, Tadashi Kajita, Kandasamy Kathiresan, Nico Koedam, Shing Yip Lee, Hsing-Juh Lin, Jock R. Mackenzie, Mwita M. Mangora, Cyril Marchand, Tarik Meziane, Todd E. Minchinton, Nathalie Pettorelli, Jaime Polania, Gianluca Polgar, Meenakshi Poti, Jurgenne Primavera, Alfredo Quarto, Stefanie M. Rog, Behara Satyanarayana, Yara Schaeffer-Novelli, Mark Spalding, Tom Van der Stocken, Dominic Wodehouse, Jean W. H. Yong, Martin Zimmer, Daniel A. Friess
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dana M. Bergstrom, Barbara C. Wienecke, John van den Hoff, Lesley Hughes, David B. Lindenmayer, Tracy D. Ainsworth, Christopher M. Baker, Lucie Bland, David M. J. S. Bowman, Shaun T. Brooks, Josep G. Canadell, Andrew J. Constable, Katherine A. Dafforn, Michael H. Depledge, Catherine R. Dickson, Norman C. Duke, Kate J. Helmstedt, Andres Holz, Craig R. Johnson, Melodie A. McGeoch, Jessica Melbourne-Thomas, Rachel Morgain, Emily Nicholson, Suzanne M. Prober, Ben Raymond, Euan G. Ritchie, Sharon A. Robinson, Katinka X. Ruthrof, Samantha A. Setterfield, Carla M. Sgro, Jonathan S. Stark, Toby Travers, Rowan Trebilco, Delphi F. L. Ward, Glenda M. Wardle, Kristen J. Williams, Phillip J. Zylstra, Justine D. Shaw
Summary: This study examines the current state and recent trajectories of ecosystem collapse globally, highlighting the pressures from global climate change and human impacts as key drivers. The manifestation of widespread ecosystem collapse serves as a stark warning of the necessity for action to alleviate further degradation. A three-step assessment and management framework is proposed to aid in strategic and effective mitigation to secure our future.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Britta Denise Hardesty, Lauren Roman, Norman C. Duke, Jock R. Mackenzie, Chris Wilcox
Summary: The remote Gulf of Carpentaria is a significant fishing area in Australia, but it is also a hotspot for abandoned fishing gear 'ghost nets'. Despite efforts to combat illegal fishing and clean up the region, the density of ghost nets is increasing. There is a need for improved monitoring and management strategies to address this issue.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rufan Zhang, Zixiao Guo, Lu Fang, Cairong Zhong, Norman C. Duke, Suhua Shi
Summary: The study found that the populations of Aegiceras corniculatum are shaped by historical climate changes and sea-level fluctuations, with two main groups identified: Indo-Malayan and Pan-Australasia. Genetic drift in a bottleneck event likely led to the genetic break between the southern and northern South China Sea subgroups of the coastal plant. This case highlights how bottleneck events can promote population subdivision and has implications for other taxa beyond coastal plants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Abhik, Pandora Hope, Harry H. Hendon, Lindsay B. Hutley, Stephanie Johnson, Wasyl Drosdowsky, Josephine R. Brown, Norman C. Duke
Summary: This study investigates the largest recorded mangrove dieback event along the Gulf of Carpentaria coast in northern Australia in late 2015, and found that the 2015-2016 El Nino event was the crucial factor leading to the dieback.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Biographical-Item
Marine & Freshwater Biology
B. Clough, A. A. Amir, V. C. Chong, N. C. Duke, C. D. Field, B. Kjerfve, S. Y. Lee, A. Sasekumar, S. C. Wong, J. W. H. Yong, W. K. Gong
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alice Gauthey, Diana Backes, Jeff Balland, Iftakharul Alam, Damien T. Maher, Lucas A. Cernusak, Norman C. Duke, Belinda E. Medlyn, David T. Tissue, Brendan Choat
Summary: Between late 2015 and early 2016, a large-scale die-off of mangrove forests occurred along the northern coastline of Australia, primarily due to the strong El Nino event during that period. The decreased precipitation, lower sea level, and higher temperatures resulted in hydraulic failure and mortality of the dominant species, Avicennia marina. The study found that areas with severe dieback had higher loss of stem hydraulic conductivity, indicating ongoing hydraulic recovery. The species exhibited high resistance to water-stress-induced embolism, suggesting that severe water stress would have been required to cause mortality.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ziwen He, Xiao Feng, Qipian Chen, Liangwei Li, Sen Li, Kai Han, Zixiao Guo, Jiayan Wang, Min Liu, Chengcheng Shi, Shaohua Xu, Shao Shao, Xin Liu, Xiaomeng Mao, Wei Xie, Xinfeng Wang, Rufan Zhang, Guohong Li, Weihong Wu, Zheng Zheng, Cairong Zhong, Norman C. Duke, David E. Boufford, Guangyi Fan, Chung- Wu, Robert E. Ricklefs, Suhua Shi
Summary: Genomic studies are now exploring whole communities of species. This study focuses on mangroves, a group of about 70 woody plant species that anchor coastal ecosystems. Researchers sequenced the whole genomes of 32 mangroves and combined them with sequences from 30 additional species, providing valuable community-wide genomic data for ecology, evolution, and biodiversity research. The data revealed 27 independent origins of mangroves but showed only slight increases in species number, suggesting common extinction. Factors contributing to extinction include sea-level rises and falls, population fragmentation, and the accumulation of deleterious mutations.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xinfeng Wang, Ziwen He, Zixiao Guo, Ming Yang, Shaohua Xu, Qipian Chen, Shao Shao, Sen Li, Cairong Zhong, Norman C. Duke, Suhua Shi
Summary: In the conventional view, species are separate gene pools delineated by reproductive isolation (RI). In an alternative view, species may also be delineated by a small set of 'speciation genes' without full RI, a view that has gained broad acceptance. A recent study on two closely related mangrove species (Rhizophora mucronata and R. stylosa) found that despite being sympatric, their genomes remained well delineated with only small introgression blocks. These findings suggest that true 'good species' may continue to exchange genes long after speciation, but detecting such exchanges is challenging.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christine T. Y. Chung, Pandora Hope, Lindsay B. Hutley, Josephine Brown, Norman C. Duke
Summary: The mangroves in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, face risks to their health due to projected changes in sea level variability and increasing maximum daily temperatures.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ziwen He, Xiao Feng, Qipian Chen, Liangwei Li, Sen Li, Kai Han, Zixiao Guo, Jiayan Wang, Min Liu, Chengcheng Shi, Shaohua Xu, Shao Shao, Xin Liu, Xiaomeng Mao, Wei Xie, Xinfeng Wang, Rufan Zhang, Guohong Li, Weihong Wu, Zheng Zheng, Cairong Zhong, Norman C. Duke, David E. Boufford, Guangyi Fan, Chung- Wu, Robert E. Ricklefs, Suhua Shi
Summary: This study sequenced the genomes of 32 mangroves and combined them with sequences of 30 additional species, revealing the origins of mangroves, changes in species number, and factors contributing to mangrove extinction. The findings have significant implications for ecology, evolution, and biodiversity research.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Martin Zimmer, Gordon N. Ajonina, A. Aldrie Amir, Simon M. Cragg, Stephen Crooks, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, Norman C. Duke, Sara Fratini, Daniel A. Friess, Veronique Helfer, Mark Huxham, Kandasamy Kathiresan, K. A. Sunanda Kodikara, Nico Koedam, Shing Yip Lee, Mwita M. Mangora, Jurgenne Primavera, Behara Satyanarayana, Jean Wan Hong Yong, Dominic Wodehouse
Summary: Protecting existing mangrove forests is crucial for global conservation, but there is a need for mangrove re-establishment due to historical loss rates. Successful re-establishment requires understanding of site conditions, ecological requirements, and previous barriers, as well as engagement with local communities and stakeholders.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2022)