Article
Biology
Raphael T. F. Coimbra, Sven Winter, Arthur Muneza, Stephanie Fennessy, Moses Otiende, Domnic Mijele, Symon Masiaine, Jenna Stacy-Dawes, Julian Fennessy, Axel Janke
Summary: Through analyzing the genomes of wild giraffes, the study found evidence of historical gene flow between Nubian and reticulated giraffes. However, contemporary gene flow between these two lineages is minimal. The study also observed a decline in effective population sizes of Nubian and reticulated giraffes. Overall, the findings suggest that these three giraffe lineages have maintained their reproductive isolation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alfredo O. Barrera-Guzman, Alexandre Aleixo, Maya Faccio, Sidnei de Melo Dantas, Jason T. Weir
Summary: This study uses genome-wide data and detailed phylogeographical sampling to uncover the unique lineages and levels of reproductive isolation of three parapatric manakin species. The results show that gene flow and genomic homogenization decrease with increasing evolutionary age, with the oldest lineages exhibiting narrow hybrid zones. The study suggests that Pipra manakins took one million years or more to become reproductively isolated and proposes reclassifying the six lineages as two or three reproductively isolated species.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ricardo J. Pereira, Sonal Singhal
Summary: The study explores how lineages are products of evolutionary processes like genetic drift and selection. It shows that lineages are often ephemeral and do not always progress into fully reproductively isolated taxa, providing insights into the process of species formation.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Thomas H. Q. Powell, Glen Ray Hood, Meredith M. Doellman, Pheobe M. Deneen, James J. Smith, Stewart H. Berlocher, Jeffrey L. Feder
Summary: This study investigates the genetic variation and divergence in the Rhagoletis pomonella species group (RPSG) and finds that different taxa within the group are currently diverging under gene flow. The derived species are nested within the genetic variation of hawthorn-infesting populations of R. pomonella and show marked differences in genotype clustering and differentiation among sympatric populations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Genis Garcia-Erill, Michael Munkholm Kjaer, Anders Albrechtsen, Hans Redlef Siegismund, Rasmus Heller
Summary: Grant's gazelles have been proposed to form a species complex with three divergent mtDNA lineages. Genomic data from 106 individuals revealed population subdivision, hybridization events, and signs of gene flow among the lineages. The species divergence was dated to 134,000 years ago, with evidence of selection shaping the outcomes of hybridization in certain populations.
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei-Ping Zhang, Lei Cao, Xin-Rui Lin, Ya-Mei Ding, Yu Liang, Da-Yong Zhang, Er-Li Pang, Susanne S. Renner, Wei-Ning Bai
Summary: The Chinese walnut, Juglans hopeiensis, is a first-generation hybrid resulting from the hybridization between Persian walnut and Asian butternuts. Despite the presence of strong postzygotic barriers preventing sexual reproduction in hybrids and unique traits, Juglans hopeiensis does not appear to be on the path to speciation.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Carlos G. Boluda, Camille Christe, Aina Randriarisoa, Laurent Gautier, Yamama Naciri
Summary: The study focused on the taxonomy and conservation of two species complexes within Capurodendron, with the Western Complex containing three well-delimited species and the Arid Complex containing three morphologically well-defined but genetically intermixed species. Hybridization patterns were observed between some species, providing insight into the complex evolutionary history of these plant species in Madagascar.
Article
Forestry
Bartosz Labiszak, Witold Wachowiak
Summary: This study investigates the role of hybridization and introgression in the evolutionary history of closely related pine taxa. The results indicate the significant impact of interspecific gene flow in the divergence of species and reveal asymmetrical migration patterns between different pine species. The study provides insights into the role of reticulation evolution in maintaining species integrity in forest trees.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Kate L. Ostevik, Joanna L. Rifkin, Hanhan Xia, Mark D. Rausher
Summary: Hybridization between two different morning glory species can affect the strength of reproductive barriers, with asymmetric effects on barrier strength and potential changes to within-species compatibility. The study found that changes in compatibility between sympatric populations of the morning glory species may be due to introgression of alleles from one species into the other. This suggests that hybridization can influence not only isolation between species, but also contribute to isolation within a species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
L. M. Bernstein-Kurtycz, N. T. Dunham, J. Evenhuis, M. B. Brown, A. B. Muneza, J. Fennessy, P. M. Dennis, K. E. Lukas
Summary: Giraffe skin disease (GSD) poses a potential threat to giraffe conservation due to the difficulties in movement it causes. While GSD lesions do not significantly affect limb kinematics, snare wounds result in noticeable adjustments to locomotor patterns. Further studies are needed to better understand the impact of GSD on giraffe locomotion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyle A. O'Connell, Ivan Prates, Lauren A. Scheinberg, Kevin P. Mulder, Rayna C. Bell
Summary: A period of isolation in allopatry typically precedes local adaptation and subsequent divergence among lineages. Alternatively, locally adapted phenotypes may arise and persist in the face of gene flow, resulting in strong correlations between ecologically-relevant phenotypic variation and corresponding environmental gradients. Quantifying genetic, ecological, and phenotypic divergence in such lineages can provide insights into the abiotic and biotic mechanisms that structure populations and drive the accumulation of phenotypic and taxonomic diversity.
Article
Ecology
Marilia Manuppella Tavares, Milene Ferro, Barbara Simoes Santos Leal, Clarisse Palma-Silva
Summary: This study investigated the genomic differentiation between hybridizing Neotropical species Pitcairnia staminea and P. albiflos, identifying candidate genomic regions for positive selection related to reproductive isolation. Through simulations, it was found that there was a gradual reduction in gene flow between the two species over time.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sonal Singhal, Guarino R. Colli, Maggie R. Grundler, Gabriel C. Costa, Ivan Prates, Daniel L. Rabosky
Summary: The rates of species formation vary across different taxa and are affected by both microevolutionary processes and macroevolutionary patterns. This study demonstrates that population isolation has little influence on speciation rates in lizards and snakes, suggesting that other stages of speciation may play larger roles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hong Wu, Zefu Wang, Yuxing Zhang, Laurent Frantz, Christian Roos, David M. Irwin, Chenglin Zhang, Xuefeng Liu, Dongdong Wu, Song Huang, Tongtong Gu, Jianquan Liu, Li Yu
Summary: It is discovered that historical hybridization occurred among a group of snub-nosed monkeys, leading to the origin of a hybrid species. The gray snub-nosed monkey has a stable mixed genomic ancestry derived from the golden snub-nosed monkey, the ancestor of black-white and black snub-nosed monkeys. Genes derived from the parental lineages have been identified, potentially contributing to the mosaic coat coloration of the hybrid and promoting reproductive isolation. This study highlights the underappreciated role of hybridization in generating species and phenotypic diversity in mammals.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kenji Suetsugu, Shun K. Hirota, Takuto Shitara, Kenya Ishida, Narumi Nakato, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Yoshihisa Suyama
Summary: Oceanic islands provide valuable opportunities for studying evolution. The absence of bumblebee species on the Izu Islands has had an impact on the evolution of Goodyera henryi and Goodyera similis, leading to the proliferation of hybrids on Kozu Island.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sven Winter, Raphael T. F. Coimbra, Anna Bronec, Craig Hay, Amanda L. Salb, Julian Fennessy, Axel Janke
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2019)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Stefan Prost, Malte Petersen, Martin Grethlein, Sarah Joy Hahn, Nina Kuschik-Maczollek, Martyna Ewa Olesiuk, Jan-Olaf Reschke, Tamara Elke Schmey, Caroline Zimmer, Deepak K. Gupta, Tilman Schell, Raphael Coimbra, Jordi De Raad, Fritjof Lammers, Sven Winter, Axel Janke
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2020)
Editorial Material
Biology
Stefan Prost, Sven Winter, Jordi De Raad, Raphael T. F. Coimbra, Magnus Wolf, Maria A. Nilsson, Malte Petersen, Deepak K. Gupta, Tilman Schell, Fritjof Lammers, Axel Janke
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raphael T. F. Coimbra, Sven Winter, Vikas Kumar, Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Rebecca M. Gooley, Pavel Dobrynin, Julian Fennessy, Axel Janke
Summary: The taxonomy of giraffes has been disputed, with early classifications recognizing only one species with nine subspecies, but recent genomic studies suggesting at least four species. Population structure and phylogenomic analyses revealed four independently evolving giraffe lineages, supporting the recognition of four species and seven subspecies, emphasizing the importance of achieving consensus for assessing threat levels and improving conservation efforts.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Malte Petersen, Sven Winter, Raphael Coimbra, Menno J. de Jong, Vladimir V. Kapitonov, Maria A. Nilsson
Summary: The giraffe genome shows high recent LINE1 and RTE insertions, with significantly reduced RTE activity and ongoing LINE1 propagation. RTE-dependent SINEs in giraffes have been immobile for the past 2 million years. Heterozygosity rates of TE insertions vary among different giraffe (sub)-species, likely due to divergent population histories.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Raphael T. F. Coimbra, Sven Winter, Barbara Mitchell, Julian Fennessy, Axel Janke
Summary: Three out of four species of giraffe are facing threats, especially the northern giraffe, which has the smallest known wild population. The West African giraffe and Kordofan giraffe have experienced declines in their population sizes, but some recovery efforts have been successful. However, habitat loss, climate change, and illegal hunting still pose threats. Genetic monitoring and conservation actions are crucial for their protection.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Aaron Pomerantz, Kristoffer Sahlin, Nina Vasiljevic, Adeline Seah, Marisa Lim, Emily Humble, Susan Kennedy, Henrik Krehenwinkel, Sven Winter, Rob Ogden, Stefan Prost
Summary: This protocol outlines steps for DNA amplicon sequencing using miniaturized laboratory equipment, allowing for rapid identification of biological specimens. Utilizing sequence-based applications such as DNA barcoding technique for classification can support conservation and biosurveillance efforts.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Sven Winter, Raphael T. F. Coimbra, Philippe Helsen, Axel Janke
Summary: The okapi is a large vertebrate species surrounded by mystery and facing constant anthropogenic pressure, leading to its endangered status. Researchers have completed the genome assembly of this species, providing a valuable resource for future conservation efforts and comparative genomic studies.
JOURNAL OF HEREDITY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rene Meissner, Sven Winter, Uta Westerhus, Alexander Sliwa, Carola Greve, Lena Godsall Bottriell, Paul Bottriell, Carlos Rodriguez Fernandes, Paul Vercammen, Luke T. B. Hunter, Alexei Abramov, Leili Khalatbari, Petr Horin, Pamela A. Burger, Stefan Prost
Summary: There are only about 7,100 adolescent and adult cheetahs remaining in the wild, and their numbers are rapidly declining. Genetic data, particularly mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), is important for informing conservation strategies and refining subspecies distributions. However, the phylogeography of cheetahs is complicated by factors such as incomplete lineage sorting and mitochondrial capture, highlighting the need for additional markers such as nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to accurately identify and monitor subspecies.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Sven Winter, Jordi de Raad, Magnus Wolf, Raphael T. F. Coimbra, Menno J. de Jong, Yannis Schoeneberg, Maria Christoph, Hagen von Klopotek, Katharina Bach, Behgol Pashm Foroush, Wiebke Hanack, Aaron Hagen Kauffeldt, Tim Milz, Emmanuel Kipruto Ngetich, Christian Wenz, Moritz Sonnewald, Maria Anna Nilsson, Axel Janke
Summary: Despite sequencing efforts, the lack of reference genomes for many fish families has complicated genetic research. The sand lances, a globally distributed family of over 30 fish species, have been understudied due to their burrowing behavior. In this study, the first annotated chromosome-level genome assembly of the great sand eel was presented. The assembly, generated using long and short sequencing reads, provides a valuable resource for future studies of sand lances and bony fish taxonomy.
JOURNAL OF HEREDITY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sven Winter, Julian Fennessy, Axel Janke, Maria A. A. Nilsson
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Bruno Lopes da Silva Ferrette, Raphael T. F. Coimbra, Sven Winter, Menno J. De Jong, Samuel Mackey Williams, Rui Coelho, Daniela Rosa, Matheus Marcos Rotundo, Freddy Arocha, Bruno Leite Mourato, Fernando Fernandes Mendonca, Axel Janke
Summary: The marine environment plays a crucial role in promoting population and species divergence, but our understanding of the underlying mechanisms is limited. In this study, we analyze the genome and marine environmental data of sailfish to identify factors influencing population differentiation and the impact of overfishing on species diversity.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Sven Winter, Rene Meissner, Carola Greve, Alexander Ben Hamadou, Petr Horin, Stefan Prost, Pamela A. Burger
Summary: This study presents a new genome assembly of the cheetah using PacBio long reads and Hi-C proximity ligation data. The assembly is of high quality and will greatly benefit conservation and evolutionary genomic analyses. It also provides a valuable resource for gaining a detailed understanding of immune response gene function and diversity in felids.
JOURNAL OF HEREDITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yannis Schoneberg, Sven Winter, Oscar Arribas, Matteo Riccardo Di Nicola, Maya Master, John Benjamin Owens, Michail Rovatsos, Wolfgang Wuester, Axel Janke, Uwe Fritz
Summary: Understanding speciation is important in biological diversity research. The snake genus Natrix, in particular, provides a diverse group for studying speciation, with different stages of speciation and evidence of genetic exchange between sympatric and allopatric species pairs. Through sequencing and analyzing genomes, a complex history of interspecific gene flow was discovered, indicating that speciation and species distinctness can occur despite genetic exchange. These findings highlight the importance of studying speciation in maintaining biological diversity.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)