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
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
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
Paula Wiebke Michels, Ottmar Distl
Summary: The Deutsch Drahthaar (DD), a popular hunting dog breed in Germany, has considerable genetic diversity but faces risks of loss of genetic diversity and increased inbreeding rates due to increasing ancestral inbreeding.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cathrin Justinski, Jens Wilkens, Ottmar Distl
Summary: Sheep breeding is a long-standing tradition in Germany, resulting in a diversity of unique breeds. A study conducted using the national database of herdbook breeders revealed a loss of genetic diversity in all breeds due to genetic drift. The results emphasize the importance of genetic diversity management for the conservation of endangered breeds. Rating: 8/10.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Javier Perez-Gonzalez, Juan Carranza, Gabriel Anaya, Camilla Broggini, Giovanni Vedel, Eva de la Pena, Alberto Membrillo
Summary: The analysis of population genetic structure and individual multilocus heterozygosity is crucial for wildlife management and conservation. SNPs have shown to provide better insights and higher precision than microsatellites in inferring genetic status and population processes.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lin Tao, Xiaoyun He, Xiangyu Wang, Ran Di, Mingxing Chu
Summary: Unique ROH patterns were observed among six sheep populations, with inbreeding depression on LS only found in Hu sheep. Nine significantly homozygous regions associated with LS were identified in Hu sheep, potentially regulating oocyte development, fertilization, embryo implantation, development, and reproductive health.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea K. Townsend, Melissa L. Jones, Nancy Chen, Caroline Chivily, Casey McAndrews, Anne B. Clark, Kevin J. McGowan, John Eimes
Summary: Infectious diseases can cause population declines in wildlife, leading to changes in genetic diversity. A study on American crows found increased genetic diversity after the emergence of West Nile virus, potentially due to increased immigration. However, inbreeding also appeared to increase in the post-WNV population, which may impact their response to future pathogen risks.
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
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
Forestry
Isabel Marques, David Draper, Lorena Riofrio, Carlos Naranjo
Summary: The diversity of genetic resources is crucial for coping with environmental changes. This study used nuclear microsatellites to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of the Ecuadorian tree O. rotundata, which is highly affected by habitat changes. The results showed high levels of genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation between populations, with a high degree of genetic admixture. These findings provide important baseline information for future restoration programs to mitigate the impacts of changes in O. rotundata populations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Massaine Bandeira e Sousa, Luciano Rogerio Braatz de Andrade, Everton Hilo de Souza, Alfredo Augusto Cunha Alves, Eder Jorge de Oliveira
Summary: The study on cassava breeding analyzed various factors affecting flower abortion and proposed strategies to overcome them, providing new insights and methods for efficient breeding. Through experiments and analysis, reproductive barriers and pollen-pistil interactions were studied, leading to the identification of population structure of elite parental clones. Significant parental effects were identified, indicating the existence of reproductive barriers among certain cassava clones, and non-additive genetic effects played a role in trait inheritance. Pollen viability and pollen-stigma interactions were found to be significant for successful fertilization, with variations in pollen viability and stigma receptivity depending on clone and flowering stage.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guillermo Blanco, Francisco Morinha
Summary: The study found that despite a decline in the population size of Egyptian vultures in central Spain, their genetic diversity remained relatively stable over a twelve-year period. Additionally, a high level of relatedness was observed among nestlings from different territories. The impact of recent demographic bottlenecks and the occurrence of inbred mating resulting in lethal malformations in offspring were also documented.
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
Fisheries
Monal M. Lal, Salote S. Waqairatu, Kyall R. Zenger, Maria G. Nayfa, Timothy D. Pickering, Avinash Singh, Paul C. Southgate
Summary: Genetic analysis of the GIFT strain of Nile tilapia in Fiji revealed mild declines in genetic diversity, with some ponds showing signs of reduced effective population size and allelic diversity. Management practices and potential wild interbreeding were identified as factors influencing genetic structure and relatedness within the broodstock nucleus. Regular genetic monitoring and evaluation of performance are recommended to preserve valuable genetic diversity in the long term.
Article
Ecology
Joshua M. Miller, Dany Garant, Charles Perrier, Tristan Juette, Joel W. Jameson, Eric Normandeau, Louis Bernatchez, Denis Reale
Summary: The island syndrome hypothesis predicts that island populations should differ from mainland populations, with individuals on islands being larger, less aggressive, more sociable, and investing more in their offspring. Using genome-wide SNP markers, this study found clear genomic differentiation between island and mainland populations, with moderate to high marker-based heritability estimates for traits thought to underlie the ISH. Further analysis identified 12 loci associated with differentiation between mainland and island populations, suggesting independent evolutionary trajectories and a genetic basis for the traits considered.
Article
Ecology
Laura Gervais, Nicolas Morellet, Ingrid David, Mark Hewison, Denis Reale, Michel Goulard, Yannick Chaval, Bruno Lourtet, Bruno Cargnelutti, Joel Merlet, Erwan Quemere, Benoit Pujol
Summary: Accurate heritability estimates for fitness-related traits are crucial for predicting the ability of organisms to respond to global change. The potential issue of inflated heritability estimates due to environmental similarity among relatives has been pointed out but not examined empirically. This study investigates the link between genetic variation for habitat selection and environmental similarity, and how it affects heritability estimates for fitness-related traits. The results show that accounting for similarity in habitat composition between relatives decreases heritability estimates, suggesting that similar genotypes occupy similar environments and heritable variation may be incorrectly attributed to environmental effects.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feng-Hua Lv, Yin-Hong Cao, Guang-Jian Liu, Ling-Yun Luo, Ran Lu, Ming-Jun Liu, Wen-Rong Li, Ping Zhou, Xin-Hua Wang, Min Shen, Lei Gao, Jing-Quan Yang, Hua Yang, Yong-Lin Yang, Chang-Bin Liu, Peng-Cheng Wan, Yun-Sheng Zhang, Wen-Hui Pi, Yan-Ling Ren, Zhi-Qiang Shen, Feng Wang, Yu-Tao Wang, Jin-Quan Li, Hosein Salehian-Dehkordi, Eer Hehua, Yong-Gang Liu, Jian-Fei Chen, Jian-Kui Wang, Xue-Mei Deng, Ali Esmailizadeh, Mostafa Dehghani-Qanatqestani, Hadi Charati, Maryam Nosrati, Ondrej Stepanek, Hossam E. Rushdi, Ingrid Olsaker, Ino Curik, Neena A. Gorkhali, Samuel R. Paiva, Alexandre R. Caetano, Elena Ciani, Marcel Amills, Christina Weimann, Georg Erhardt, Agraw Amane, Joram M. Mwacharo, Jian-Lin Han, Olivier Hanotte, Kathiravan Periasamy, Anna M. Johansson, Jon H. Hallsson, Juha Kantanen, David W. Coltman, Michael W. Bruford, Johannes A. Lenstra, Meng-Hua Li
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive genome resource for domestic sheep, wild ovine species, and local breeds, discovering numerous novel genetic variants and investigating their frequency differences between wild and domestic populations. The study also identifies selection targets related to morphological and agronomic traits and uncovers a potential causal variant for fleece fiber diameter. Additionally, the study reconstructs prehistoric migrations from the Near East to South and Southeast Asia.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Hassen Allegue, Christophe Guinet, Samantha C. Patrick, Mark A. Hindell, Clive R. McMahon, Denis Reale
Summary: This study investigates the individual differences in seasonal foraging habitat selection of southern elephant seals based on sex, body size, and boldness. The study found that males and females exhibit different habitat preferences, with males selecting more productive habitats and females selecting less productive ones. The results also show a seasonal shift in habitat selection, with seals moving from Antarctic habitats in the summer to subantarctic and subtropical habitats in the winter.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Samuel Deakin, Marco Festa-Bianchet, Joshua M. Miller, Fanie Pelletier, David W. Coltman
Summary: In polygynous species, secondary sexual traits evolve through intrasexual competition for mates. This study challenges the assumption that underdeveloped sexual traits in one sex are a result of strong selection on the other sex. Female bighorn sheep with longer horns at 2 years of age have higher reproductive success and lifespan. There is a potential conservation issue as trophy hunting of males may decrease female reproductive performance and population growth.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timothee Bonnet, Michael B. Morrissey, Pierre de Villemereuil, Susan C. Alberts, Peter Arcese, Liam D. Bailey, Stan Boutin, Patricia Brekke, Lauren J. N. Brent, Glauco Camenisch, Anne Charmantier, Tim H. Clutton-Brock, Andrew Cockburn, David W. Coltman, Alexandre Courtiol, Eve Davidian, Simon R. Evans, John G. Ewen, Marco Festa-Bianchet, Christophe de Franceschi, Lars Gustafsson, Oliver P. Honer, Thomas M. Houslay, Lukas F. Keller, Marta Manser, Andrew G. McAdam, Emily McLean, Pirmin Nietlisbach, Helen L. Osmond, Josephine M. Pemberton, Erik Postma, Jane M. Reid, Alexis Rutschmann, Anna W. Santure, Ben C. Sheldon, Jon Slate, Celine Teplitsky, Marcel E. Visser, Bettina Wachter, Loeske E. B. Kruuk
Summary: This study analyzed long-term data from 19 wild bird and mammal populations and found that additive genetic variance in relative fitness is often substantial and, on average, twice that of previous estimates. These rates of contemporary adaptive evolution can affect population dynamics and suggest that natural selection has the potential to partly mitigate effects of current environmental change.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Vincent A. Viblanc, Claire Saraux, Anouch Tamian, Francois Criscuolo, David W. Coltman, Shirley Raveh, Jan O. Murie, F. Stephen Dobson
Summary: This study examines how our inferences about natural selection acting on organismal traits vary depending on our choice of fitness metrics. Focusing on the timing of emergence from hibernation in Columbian ground squirrels, the study shows that directional selection for earlier emergence dates occurs, but the strength of selection depends on whether fitness is evaluated from offspring counted at birth, at weaning, or later in life.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Sophie-Marie Aicher, Felix Streicher, Maxime Chazal, Delphine Planas, Dongsheng Luo, Julian Buchrieser, Monika Nemcova, Veronika Seidlova, Jan Zukal, Jordi Serra-Cobo, Dominique Pontier, Olivier Schwartz, Jiri Pikula, Laurent Dacheux, Nolwenn Jouvenet, Bertrand Pain, Gert Zimmer, Philippe Roingeard
Summary: Bats are natural reservoirs of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, but little is known about the interaction between coronaviruses and bat cells. This study investigated the ability of bat cells from different species to support SARS-CoV-2 replication. It was found that none of the tested bat cells were permissive to infection, even those expressing ACE2, the viral receptor. However, when human ACE2 was expressed in bat cells, viral replication was observed. The study also identified specific bat cell lines that efficiently controlled viral replication through interferon response. These findings highlight the species-specific and cell-specific barriers to viral replication in bat cells.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jessica A. Haines, David M. Delaney, Andrea E. Wishart, Andrew G. McAdam, David W. Coltman, Jeffrey E. Lane, Ben Dantzer, Stan Boutin
Summary: Reproduction is energetically expensive for both sexes, and if males and females have different timing of reproduction, there is an opportunity for sex-specific selection to act on energetic resource acquisition. In North American red squirrels, males have larger caches than females, and this is likely driven by a stronger positive connection between cache size and fitness components for males. Males with larger caches have greater siring success, while females with larger caches only experience a positive effect on the number of recruits produced if they breed early. Additionally, males and females with larger caches sire pups and give birth earlier. These findings demonstrate that sexual selection extends beyond mating behavior traits and can act on traits related to acquiring resources needed for reproduction.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Rhiannon M. Peery, Catherine Cullingham, David W. Coltman, Janice E. K. Cooke
Summary: This article reports a case study in which genomic tools were used to determine if lodgepole pine seedlings were sown from a contaminated seed source. With genotyping data, the researchers were able to determine the probable seed source of the suspect seedlings and make data-guided recommendations on their deployment. This case study demonstrates the importance of molecular markers in ensuring traceability in reforestation.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Caroline Gombault, Guillaume Grenet, Laure Segurel, Laurent Duret, Francois Gueyffier, Pascal Cathebras, Dominique Pontier, Sabine Mainbourg, Alicia Sanchez-Mazas, Jean-Christophe Lega
Summary: Population differences in biomedical research lack rigor and consistency in labeling. The use of broad and heterogeneous groups such as Black or Asian is imprecise, while concepts like Caucasian are outdated. Furthermore, using race/ethnicity as the sole cause of human heterogeneity may hinder investigations into other factors related to medical conditions. Collaboration among geneticists, sociologists, anthropologists, and ethicists is needed to develop policies and practices in the biomedical field.
Article
Biology
Sam F. Walmsley, Stan Boutin, Ben Dantzer, Jeffrey E. Lane, David W. Coltman, Andrew G. McAdam
Summary: The study on North American red squirrels revealed that kinship has an influence on their survival and reproductive success. Female red squirrels have higher annual survival when they live closer to their daughters, while males have higher annual reproductive success when they live closer to their fathers.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Hassen Allegue, Denis Reale, Baptiste Picard, Christophe Guinet
Summary: This study tests the predictive capacity of simple continuous movement metrics for feeding intensity in southern elephant seals and investigates potential factors influencing the accuracy of these metrics. The study finds that simple movement metrics do not accurately predict feeding activity in free-ranging marine predators.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
David Lopez-Idiaquez, Celine Teplitsky, Amelie Fargevieille, Maria Del Rey-Granado, Raphaelle Mercier Gauthier, Christophe de Franceschi, Anne Charmantier, Claire Doutrelant, Denis Reale
Summary: This study analyzed the associations between behavior, ornamentation, morphology, and life history in blue tits, and explored the differences in these associations between males and females. The results showed weak associations between ornamentation and behavior, and these associations differed between the sexes.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jimmy Allain, Mathilde Tissier, Patrick Bergeron, Dany Garant, Denis Reale
Summary: This study investigates the relationships between age at first reproduction, reproductive senescence, and longevity in an eastern chipmunk population. It found sex-specific relationships between age at first reproduction and senescence, with females reproducing at a later age showing reproductive senescence. Additionally, it highlights the importance of studying life-history strategies in both males and females when studying senescence in the wild.
