scholarly journals Evolutionary history of two cryptic species of Northern African jerboas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Filipa Moutinho ◽  
Nina Serén ◽  
Joana Paupério ◽  
Teresa Luísa Silva ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Freiría ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Habitat Specialization ◽  
Geographic Scale ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Ecological Divergence ◽  
Geographic Population

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that complex paleoclimatic and geological events help shape species distributions, thus affecting their evolutionary history. In Sahara-Sahel, climatic oscillations shifted the desert extent during the Pliocene-Pleistocene interval, triggering the diversification of several species. Here, we investigated how these biogeographical and ecological events have shaped patterns of genetic diversity and divergence in African Jerboas, desert specialist species. We focused on two sister and cryptic species, Jaculus jaculus and J. hirtipes , where we (1) evaluated their genetic differentiation, (2) reconstructed their evolutionary and demographic history; (3) tested the level of gene flow between them, and (4) assessed their ecological niche divergence. Results The analyses based on 231 individuals sampled throughout North Africa, 8 sequence fragments (one mitochondrial and seven single copy nuclear DNA, including two candidate genes for fur coloration: MC1R and Agouti ), 6 microsatellite markers and ecological modelling revealed: (1) two distinct genetic lineages with overlapping distributions, in agreement with their classification as different taxa, J. jaculus and J. hirtipes , with (2) low levels of gene flow and strong species delimitation, (3) high genetic diversity but no apparent geographic population structure within species, suggesting long-distance migration between remote locations, and (4) low level of large-scale ecological divergence between the two taxa, suggesting species micro-habitat specialization. Conclusions Overall, our results suggest a speciation event that occurred during the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition. The contemporary distribution of genetic variation suggests ongoing population expansions, demonstrating the ability of these species for fast and long-range dispersal. Despite the largely overlapping distributions at a macrogeographic scale, our genetic results suggest that the two species remain reproductively isolated, as only negligible levels of gene flow were observed. The overlapping ecological preferences at a macro-geographic scale and the ecological divergence at the micro-habitat scale suggest that local adaptation may have played a crucial role in the speciation process of these species.

scholarly journals Evolutionary history of two cryptic species of Northern African jerboas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Filipa Moutinho ◽  
Nina Serén ◽  
Joana Paupério ◽  
Teresa Luísa Silva ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Freiría ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Habitat Specialization ◽  
Ecological Modelling ◽  
Geographic Scale ◽  
Ecological Divergence ◽  
Geographic Population

Abstract Background Complex paleo-climatic and geological events shape species distributions, thus affecting their evolutionary history. In Sahara-Sahel, climatic oscillations shifted the desert extent during the Pliocene-Pleistocene interval, triggering the diversification of several species. Here, we investigated how these biogeographical and ecological events have shaped patterns of genetic diversity and divergence in African Jerboas, desert specialist’s species. We focused on two closely-related and cryptic species, Jaculus jaculus and J. hirtipes, where we (1) evaluated their genetic differentiation, (2) reconstructed their evolutionary and demographic history; (3) tested the level of gene flow between them and (4) assessed their ecological niche divergence. Results The analyses based on 321 individuals sampled throughout North Africa, 8 sequence fragments (including one mitochondrial and seven single copy nuclear DNA), 6 microsatellite markers and ecological modelling revealed: (1) a deep genetic divergence between J. jaculus and J. hirtipes, despite their overlapping distribution, (2) low levels of gene flow and strong species delimitation, in agreement with their classification as different taxa, (3) high genetic diversity but no apparent geographic population structure within species, suggesting large-distance migration between remote locations, concordant with putative demographic expansions, and (4) low level of large-scale ecological divergence between the two taxa, suggesting species micro-habitat specialization. Conclusions Overall, our results suggest a speciation event during the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition followed by the colonization of most of the Northern Africa by both evolutionary units. The contemporary distribution of genetic variation might reflect an ongoing expansion, demonstrating the ability of these species for fast and long-range colonization. Despite the largely overlapping distribution at a macrogeographic scale, our genetic results suggest that the two species remain reproductively isolated with only negligible levels gene flow being observed. The overlapping ecological preferences at a macro-geographic scale and the ecological divergence at a micro-habitat scale suggest that local adaptation might have played a crucial role in the speciation process of these species.

scholarly journals Evolutionary history of two cryptic species of Northern African jerboas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Filipa Moutinho ◽  
Nina Serén ◽  
Joana Paupério ◽  
Teresa Luísa Silva ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Freiría ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Habitat Specialization ◽  
Ecological Modelling ◽  
Geographic Scale ◽  
Ecological Divergence ◽  
Haplotypic Diversity

Abstract Background: Climatic variation and geologic change both play significant roles in shaping species distributions, thus affecting their evolutionary history. In Sahara-Sahel, climatic oscillations shifted the desert extent during the Pliocene-Pleistocene interval, triggering the diversification of several species. Here, we investigated how these biogeographical and ecological events have shaped patterns of genetic diversity and divergence in African Jerboas, desert specialist rodents. We focused on two sister and cryptic species, Jaculus jaculus and J. hirtipes, where we (1) evaluated their genetic differentiation, (2) reconstructed their evolutionary and demographic history; (3) tested the level of gene flow between them, and (4) assessed their ecological niche divergence.Results: The analyses based on 231 individuals sampled throughout North Africa, 8 sequence fragments (one mitochondrial and seven single copy nuclear DNA, including two candidate genes for fur coloration: MC1R and Agouti), 6 microsatellite markers and ecological modelling revealed: (1) two distinct genetic lineages with overlapping distributions, in agreement with their classification as different species, J. jaculus and J. hirtipes, with (2) low levels of gene flow and strong species divergence, (3) high haplotypic diversity without evident geographic structure within species, and (4) a low level of large-scale ecological divergence between the two taxa, suggesting species micro-habitat specialization. Conclusions: Overall, our results suggest a speciation event that occurred during the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition. The contemporary distribution of genetic variation suggests ongoing population expansions. Despite the largely overlapping distributions at a macrogeographic scale, our genetic results suggest that the two species remain reproductively isolated, as only negligible levels of gene flow were observed. The overlapping ecological preferences at a macro-geographic scale and the ecological divergence at the micro-habitat scale suggest that local adaptation may have played a crucial role in the speciation process of these species.

scholarly journals Evolutionary history of two cryptic species of Northern African jerboas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Filipa Moutinho ◽  
Nina Serén ◽  
Joana Paupério ◽  
Teresa Luísa Silva ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Freiría ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Habitat Specialization ◽  
Ecological Modelling ◽  
Geographic Scale ◽  
Ecological Divergence ◽  
Haplotypic Diversity

Abstract Background Climatic variation and geologic change both play significant roles in shaping species distributions, thus affecting their evolutionary history. In Sahara-Sahel, climatic oscillations shifted the desert extent during the Pliocene-Pleistocene interval, triggering the diversification of several species. Here, we investigated how these biogeographical and ecological events have shaped patterns of genetic diversity and divergence in African Jerboas, desert specialist rodents. We focused on two sister and cryptic species, Jaculus jaculus and J. hirtipes , where we (1) evaluated their genetic differentiation, (2) reconstructed their evolutionary and demographic history; (3) tested the level of gene flow between them, and (4) assessed their ecological niche divergence. Results The analyses based on 231 individuals sampled throughout North Africa, 8 sequence fragments (one mitochondrial and seven single copy nuclear DNA, including two candidate genes for fur coloration: MC1R and Agouti ), 6 microsatellite markers and ecological modelling revealed: (1) two distinct genetic lineages with overlapping distributions, in agreement with their classification as different species, J. jaculus and J. hirtipes , with (2) low levels of gene flow and strong species divergence, (3) high haplotypic diversity without evident geographic structure within species, and (4) a low level of large-scale ecological divergence between the two taxa, suggesting species micro-habitat specialization. Conclusions Overall, our results suggest a speciation event that occurred during the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition. The contemporary distribution of genetic variation suggests ongoing population expansions. Despite the largely overlapping distributions at a macrogeographic scale, our genetic results suggest that the two species remain reproductively isolated, as only negligible levels of gene flow were observed. The overlapping ecological preferences at a macro-geographic scale and the ecological divergence at the micro-habitat scale suggest that local adaptation may have played a crucial role in the speciation process of these species.

scholarly journals Evolutionary history and genetic connectivity across highly fragmented populations of an endangered daisy

Heredity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yael S. Rodger ◽  
Alexandra Pavlova ◽  
Steve Sinclair ◽  
Melinda Pickup ◽  
Paul Sunnucks
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Evolutionary Divergence ◽  
Common Component ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Eastern Australia

AbstractConservation management can be aided by knowledge of genetic diversity and evolutionary history, so that ecological and evolutionary processes can be preserved. The Button Wrinklewort daisy (Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides) was a common component of grassy ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. It is now endangered due to extensive habitat loss and the impacts of livestock grazing, and is currently restricted to a few small populations in two regions >500 km apart, one in Victoria, the other in the Australian Capital Territory and nearby New South Wales (ACT/NSW). Using a genome-wide SNP dataset, we assessed patterns of genetic structure and genetic differentiation of 12 natural diploid populations. We estimated intrapopulation genetic diversity to scope sources for genetic management. Bayesian clustering and principal coordinate analyses showed strong population genetic differentiation between the two regions, and substantial substructure within ACT/NSW. A coalescent tree-building approach implemented in SNAPP indicated evolutionary divergence between the two distant regions. Among the populations screened, the last two known remaining Victorian populations had the highest genetic diversity, despite having among the lowest recent census sizes. A maximum likelihood population tree method implemented in TreeMix suggested little or no recent gene flow except potentially between very close neighbours. Populations that were more genetically distinctive had lower genetic diversity, suggesting that drift in isolation is likely driving population differentiation though loss of diversity, hence re-establishing gene flow among them is desirable. These results provide background knowledge for evidence-based conservation and support genetic rescue within and between regions to elevate genetic diversity and alleviate inbreeding.

scholarly journals Population structure and demographic history of the chukar partridge Alectoris chukar in China

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sen Song ◽  
Shijie Bao ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Xinkang Bao ◽  
Bei An ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
North America ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Population History ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chukar Partridge

Abstract Pleistocene climate fluctuations have shaped the patterns of genetic diversity observed in extant species. Although the effects of recent glacial cycles on genetic diversity have been well studied on species in Europe and North America, genetic legacy of species in the Pleistocene in north and northwest of China where glaciations was not synchronous with the ice sheet development in the Northern Hemisphere or or had little or no ice cover during the glaciations’ period, remains poorly understood. Here we used phylogeographic methods to investigate the genetic structure and population history of the chukar partridge Alec-toris chukar in north and northwest China. A 1,152 – 1,154 bp portion of the mtDNA CR were sequenced for all 279 specimens and a total number of 91 haplotypes were defined by 113 variable sites. High levels of gene flow were found and gene flow estimates were greater than 1 for most population pairs in our study. The AMOVA analysis showed that 81% and 16% of the total genetic variability was found within populations and among populations within groups, respectively. The demographic history of chukar was examined using neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analyses and results indicated Late Pleistocene population expansion. Results revealed that most populations of chukar experienced population expansion during 0.027 ? 0.06 Ma. These results are at odds with the results found in Europe and North America, where population expansions occurred after Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 0.023 to 0.018 Ma). Our results are not consistent with the results from avian species of Tibetan Plateau, either, where species experienced population expansion following the retreat of the extensive glaciation period (0.5 to 0.175 Ma).

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Phyllosticta citriasiana in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yibing Zeng ◽  
Tao Xiong ◽  
Bei Liu ◽  
Elma Carstens ◽  
Xiangling Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Mating Type ◽  
Tan Spot ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
Geographic Population ◽  
Sexual And Asexual Reproduction ◽  
Geographic Populations ◽  
Genetic Clusters

Phyllosticta citriasiana is the causal agent of citrus tan spot, an important pomelo disease in Asia. At present, there is little or no information on the epidemiology or population structure of P. citriasiana. Using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, 94 isolates obtained from three pomelo production regions in southern/southeastern China were analyzed. The analyses showed high genetic diversity in each of the three geographic populations. A STRUCTURE analysis revealed two genetic clusters among the 94 isolates, one geographic population was dominated by genotypes in one cluster while the other two geographic populations were dominated by genotypes of the second cluster. P. citriasiana has a heterothallic mating system with two idiomorphs, MAT1-1 and MAT1-2. Analyses using mating type-specific primers revealed that both mating types were present in all three geographic populations, and in all three populations the mating type ratios were in equilibrium. Although the sexual stage of the fungus has not been discovered yet, analyses of allelic associations indicated evidence for sexual and asexual reproduction within and among populations. Despite the observed genetic differentiation among the three geographic populations, evidence for long-distance gene flow was found.

scholarly journals Pollen-mediated gene flow ensures connectivity among spatially discrete sub-populations of Phalaenopsis pulcherrima, a tropical food-deceptive orchid

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhe Zhang ◽  
Stephan W. Gale ◽  
Ji-Hong Li ◽  
Gunter A. Fischer ◽  
Ming-Xun Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Genetic Erosion ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Hainan Island ◽  
Paternity Analysis ◽  
Genetic Structuring ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
High Genetic Diversity

Abstract Background Gene flow in plants via pollen and seeds is asymmetrical at different geographic scales. Orchid seeds are adapted to long-distance wind dispersal but pollinium transfer is often influenced by pollinator behavior. We combined field studies with an analysis of genetic diversity among 155 physically mapped adults and 1105 F1 seedlings to evaluate the relative contribution of pollen and seed dispersal to overall gene flow among three sub-populations of the food-deceptive orchid Phalaenopsis pulcherrima on Hainan Island, China. Results Phalaenopsis pulcherrima is self-sterile and predominantly outcrossing, resulting in high population-level genetic diversity, but plants are clumped and exhibit fine-scale genetic structuring. Even so, we detected low differentiation among sub-populations, with polynomial regression analysis suggesting gene flow via seed to be more restricted than that via pollen. Paternity analysis confirmed capsules of P. pulcherrima to each be sired by a single pollen donor, probably in part facilitated by post-pollination stigma obfuscation, with a mean pollen flow distance of 272.7 m. Despite limited sampling, we detected no loss of genetic diversity from one generation to the next. Conclusions Outcrossing mediated by deceptive pollination and self-sterility promote high genetic diversity in P. pulcherrima. Long-range pollinia transfer ensures connectivity among sub-populations, offsetting the risk of genetic erosion at local scales.

scholarly journals Genetic variation in the emblematic Puya raimondii (Bromeliaceae) from Huascarán National Park, Peru

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Teresa Hornung-Leoni ◽  
Victoria Sosa ◽  
June Simpson ◽  
Katia Gil
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
National Park ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Long Distance Dispersal ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Mountain Systems

Puya raimondii, the giant Peruvian and Bolivian terrestrial bromeliad, is an emblematic endemic Andean species well represented in Huascarán National Park in Peru. This park is the largest reserve of puna (high altitude plateau) vegetation. The objective of this study is to report on genetic variation in populations of P. raimondii from Huascarán and neighboring areas. AFLP profiles with four selective primer combinations were retrieved for 60 individuals from different zones. Genetic variability was estimated and a total of 172 bands were detected, of which 79.1% were polymorphic loci. The results showed genetic differentiation among populations, and gene flow. A cluster analysis showed that individuals of P. raimondii populations located in different mountain systems could be grouped together, suggesting long distance dispersal. Thus, conservation strategies for P. raimondii have to take into account exchange between populations located far apart in distance in order to preserve the genetic diversity of this showy species.

scholarly journals Range-Wide and Regional Patterns of Population Structure and Genetic Diversity in the Gopher Tortoise

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 497-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Gaillard ◽  
J.R. Ennen ◽  
B.R. Kreiser ◽  
C.P. Qualls ◽  
S.C. Sweat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Genetic Admixture ◽  
Gopher Tortoise ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Genetic Groups

Abstract The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) has experienced dramatic population declines throughout its distribution in the southeastern United States and is federally listed as threatened in the area west of the Tombigbee and Mobile rivers. While there is molecular support for recognizing the listed portion of the range as genetically distinct, other research has suggested that additional population structure exists at both range-wide and regional scales. In this study, we sought to comprehensively define genetic population structure at both spatial scales by doubling the data available in terms of the number of sampling sites, individuals, and microsatellite loci compared to previously published work. We also compared patterns of genetic diversity, gene flow, and demographic history across the range. We collected 933 individuals from 47 sampling sites across the range and genotyped them for 20 microsatellite loci. Our range-wide analyses supported the recognition of five genetic groups (or regions) delineated by the Tombigbee and Mobile rivers, Apalachicola and Chattahoochee rivers, and the transitional areas between several physiographic province sections of the Coastal Plains (i.e., Eastern Gulf, Sea Island, and Floridian). We found genetic admixture at sampling sites along the boundaries of these genetically defined groups. We detected some degree of additional genetic structure within each of the five regions. Notably, within the range listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, we found some support for two additional genetic groups loosely delineated by the Pascagoula and Chickasawhay rivers, and we detected four more genetic groups within the Florida region that seemed to reflect the influence of the local physiography. Additionally, our range-wide analysis found the periphery of the range had lower levels of genetic diversity relative to the core. We suggest that the five main genetic groups delineated in our study warrant recognition as management units in terms of conservation planning. Intraregional population structure also points to the potential importance of other barriers to gene flow at finer spatial scales, although additional work is needed to better delineate these genetic groups.

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