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Although allele frequency data for most HLA loci provide strong evidence for balancing selection at the allele level, the DPB1 locus is a notable exception, with allele frequencies compatible with neutral evolution (genetic drift) or directional selection in most populations. This discrepancy is especially interesting as evidence for balancing selection has been seen at the nucleotide and amino acid (AA) sequence levels for DPB1. We describe methods used to examine the global distribution of DPB1 alleles and their constituent AA sequences. These methods allow investigation of the influence of natural selection in shaping DPβ diversity in a hierarchical fashion for DPB1 alleles, all polymorphic DPB1 exon 2-encoded AA positions, as well as all pairs and trios of these AA positions. In addition, we describe how asymmetric linkage disequilibrium for all DPB1 exon 2-encoded AA pairs can be used to complement other methods. Application of these methods provides strong evidence for the operation of balancing selection on AA positions 56, 85-87, 36, 55 and 84 (listed in decreasing order of the strength of selection), but no evidence for balancing selection on DPB1 alleles.

Whole genome sequences (WGS) of 185 North American Thoroughbred horses were compared to quantify the number and frequency of variants, diversity of mitotypes, and autosomal runs of homozygosity (ROH). Of the samples, 82 horses were born between 1965 and 1986 (Group 1); the remaining 103, selected to maximize pedigree diversity, were born between 2000 and 2020 (Group 2). Over 14.3 million autosomal variants were identified with 4.5-5.0 million found per horse. Mitochondrial sequences associated the North American Thoroughbreds with 9 of 17 clades previously identified among diverse breeds. Individual coefficients of inbreeding, estimated from ROH, averaged 0.266 (Group 1) and 0.283 (Group 2). When SNP arrays were simulated using subsets of WGS markers, the arrays over-estimated lengths of ROH. WGS-based estimates of inbreeding were highly correlated (r > 0.98) with SNP array-based estimates, but only moderately correlated (r = 0.40) with inbreeding based on 5-generation pedigrees. On average, Group 1 horses had more heterozygous variants (P

The under-representation of non-European cohorts in neurodegenerative disease genome-wide association studies (GWAS) hampers precision medicine efforts. Despite the inherent genetic and phenotypic diversity in these diseases, GWAS research consistently exhibits a disproportionate emphasis on participants of European ancestry. This study reviews GWAS up to 2022, focusing on non-European or multi-ancestry neurodegeneration studies. We conducted a systematic review of GWAS results and publications up to 2022, focusing on non-European or multi-ancestry neurodegeneration studies. Rigorous article inclusion and quality assessment methods were employed. Of 123 neurodegenerative disease (NDD) GWAS reviewed, 82% predominantly featured European ancestry participants. A single European study identified over 90 risk loci, compared to a total of 50 novel loci in identified in all non-European or multi-ancestry studies. Notably, only six of the loci have been replicated. The significant under-representation of non-European ancestries in NDD GWAS hinders comprehensive genetic understanding. Prioritizing genomic diversity in future research is crucial for advancing NDD therapies and understanding. HIGHLIGHTS: Eighty-two percent of neurodegenerative genome-wide association studies (GWAS) focus on Europeans. Only 6 of 50 novel neurodegenerative disease (NDD) genetic loci have been replicated. Lack of diversity significantly hampers understanding of NDDs. Increasing diversity in NDD genetic research is urgently required. New initiatives are aiming to enhance diversity in NDD research.

Genetic diversity is a fundamental component of biodiversity. Examination of global patterns of genetic diversity can help highlight mechanisms underlying species diversity, though a recurring challenge has been that patterns may vary by molecular marker. Here, we compiled 6862 observations of genetic diversity from 492 species of marine fish and tested among hypotheses for diversity gradients: the founder effect hypothesis, the kinetic energy hypothesis, and the productivity-diversity hypothesis. We fit generalized linear mixed effect models (GLMMs) and explored the extent to which various macroecological drivers (latitude, longitude, temperature (SST), and chlorophyll-a concentration) explained variation in genetic diversity. We found that mitochondrial genetic diversity followed geographic gradients similar to those of species diversity, being highest near the Equator, particularly in the Coral Triangle, while nuclear genetic diversity did not follow clear geographic patterns. Despite these differences, all genetic diversity metrics were correlated with chlorophyll-a concentration, while mitochondrial diversity was also positively associated with SST. Our results provide support for the kinetic energy hypothesis, which predicts that elevated mutation rates at higher temperatures increase mitochondrial but not necessarily nuclear diversity, and the productivity-diversity hypothesis, which posits that resource-rich regions support larger populations with greater genetic diversity. Overall, these findings reveal how environmental variables can influence mutation rates and genetic drift in the ocean, caution against using mitochondrial macrogenetic patterns as proxies for whole-genome diversity, and aid in defining global gradients of genetic diversity.

Fungi use the accessory gene content of their pangenomes to adapt to their environments. While gene presence-absence variation contributes to shaping accessory gene reservoirs, the genomic contexts that shape these events remain unclear. Since pangenome studies are typically species-wide and do not analyze different populations separately, it is yet to be uncovered whether presence-absence variation patterns and mechanisms are consistent across populations. Fungal plant pathogens are useful models for studying presence-absence variation because they rely on it to adapt to their hosts, and members of a species often infect distinct hosts. We analyzed gene presence-absence variation in the blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae (syn. Pyricularia oryzae), and found that presence-absence variation genes involved in host-pathogen and microbe-microbe interactions may drive the adaptation of the fungus to its environment. We then analyzed genomic and epigenomic features of presence-absence variation and observed that proximity to transposable elements, gene GC content, gene length, expression level in the host, and histone H3K27me3 marks were different between presence-absence variation genes and conserved genes. We used these features to construct a model that was able to predict whether a gene is likely to experience presence-absence variation with high precision (86.06%) and recall (92.88%) in M. oryzae. Finally, we found that presence-absence variation genes in the rice and wheat pathotypes of M. oryzae differed in their number and their genomic context. Our results suggest that genomic and epigenomic features of gene presence-absence variation can be used to better understand and predict fungal pangenome evolution. We also show that substantial intra-species variation can exist in these features.

Invasive commensal rodents are the source of significant harms across diverse ecosystems globally, including biodi­versity loss on islands, economic damage in agricultural settings, and disease spread in urban areas. Genetic tools can provide unique insights and solutions for rodent management or eradication, adding to the toolbox of integrated pest management opera­tions. In real world conditions, the utility of genetic tools for rodent management is constrained by ecological factors such as mating and dispersal behavior, landscape variation, and ongoing management strategies. Here we describe two distinct uses of genetic tools for rodent management and their ecological considerations. First, we describe how patterns of genetic connectivity can inform the establishment of functional management units, discern among scenarios leading to island eradication failure, and provide insights into rodent management outcomes. Second, we discuss the utility and risks of using gene drive systems to eradicate invasive house mice from island environments. We describe aspects of risk assessment and mitigation as well as the utility of computational models for improving gene drive preparedness. Together, we outline the importance of ecologically-informed implementation strategies when using genetic tools, both currently available and in development, for the management of commensal rodents.

Advancements in genome assembly and sequencing technology have made whole genome sequence (WGS) data and reference genomes accessible to study polyploid species. Compared to popular reduced-representation sequencing approaches, the genome-wide coverage and greater marker density provided by WGS data can greatly improve our understanding of polyploid species and polyploid biology. However, biological features that make polyploid species interesting also pose challenges in read mapping, variant identification, and genotype estimation. Accounting for characteristics in variant calling like allelic dosage uncertainty, homology between subgenomes, and variance in chromosome inheritance mode can reduce errors. Here, I discuss the challenges of variant calling in polyploid WGS data and discuss where potential solutions can be integrated into a standard variant calling pipeline.

Background This study sought to investigate associations between virulence factors and phylogeny in all neonatal Escherichia coli bloodstream infections from patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Uppsala University Hospital between 2005 and 2020. Methods A total of 37 E. coli isolates from 32 neonates were whole-genome sequenced and analyzed for virulence factors related to extraintestinal E. coli ; patient-related data were collected retrospectively from the medical records. Results E. coli isolates that belong to phylogroup B2 were associated with mortality (odds ratio [OR], 26; P <.001), extreme prematurity with delivery before gestational week 28 (OR, 9; P <.05), and shock (OR, 9; P <.05) compared with isolates of non-B2 group. Female neonates were more often infected with isolates of phylogroup B2 E. coli compared with male neonates (OR, 7; P =.05). The identification of the genotoxin determinant clb coding for colibactin exhibited strong associations with mortality (OR, 67; P <.005), gestational age (OR, 18; P <.005), and shock (OR, 26; P <.005). Discussion The study highlighted the correlation between neonatal E. coli bacteremia caused by phylogroup B2 and the role of colibactin. Results emphasize difference between male and female neonates in E. coli populations in bloodstream infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex structural variations (cxSVs) are often overlooked in genome analyses due to detection challenges. We developed ARC-SV, a probabilistic and machine-learning-based method that enables accurate detection and reconstruction of cxSVs from standard datasets. By applying ARC-SV across 4,262 genomes representing all continental populations, we identified cxSVs as a significant source of natural human genetic variation. Rare cxSVs have a propensity to occur in neural genes and loci that underwent rapid human-specific evolution, including those regulating corticogenesis. By performing single-nucleus multiomics in postmortem brains, we discovered cxSVs associated with differential gene expression and chromatin accessibility across various brain regions and cell types. Additionally, cxSVs detected in brains of psychiatric cases are enriched for linkage with psychiatric GWAS risk alleles detected in the same brains. Furthermore, our analysis revealed significantly decreased brain-region- and cell-type-specific expression of cxSV genes, specifically for psychiatric cases, implicating cxSVs in the molecular etiology of major neuropsychiatric disorders. [Display omitted] • ARC-SV uses machine learning on pangenomes to detect cxSVs with high accuracy • Rare cxSVs in the human population are enriched in neural genes • Rare cxSVs are enriched in loci that underwent rapid human-specific evolution • cxSVs contribute to the genetic architecture of major psychiatric disorders ARC-SV enables highly accurate detection and characterization of localized complex rearrangements of multiple DNA segments. Applying ARC-SV across human populations and brain cohorts uncovers connections between complex structural variantion and human-specific evolution, neural genes, and major psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impalas are unusual among bovids because they have remained morphologically similar over millions of years—a phenomenon referred to as evolutionary stasis. Here, we sequenced 119 whole genomes from the two extant subspecies of impala, the common (Aepyceros melampus melampus) and black‐faced (A. m. petersi) impala. We investigated the evolutionary forces working within the species to explore how they might be associated with its evolutionary stasis as a taxon. Despite being one of the most abundant bovid species, we found low genetic diversity overall, and a phylogeographic signal of spatial expansion from southern to eastern Africa. Contrary to expectations under a scenario of evolutionary stasis, we found pronounced genetic structure between and within the two subspecies with indications of ancient, but not recent, gene flow. Black‐faced impala and eastern African common impala populations had more runs of homozygosity than common impala in southern Africa, and, using a proxy for genetic load, we found that natural selection is working less efficiently in these populations compared to the southern African populations. Together with the fossil record, our results are consistent with a fixed‐optimum model of evolutionary stasis, in which impalas in the southern African core of the range are able to stay near their evolutionary fitness optimum as a generalist ecotone species, whereas eastern African impalas may struggle to do so due to the effects of genetic drift and reduced adaptation to the local habitat, leading to recurrent local extinction in eastern Africa and re‐colonisation from the South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the challenges posed by rainfall variability, leading to water deficits during critical stages of crop growth, resulting in a drastic reduction of cotton yield. In a comprehensive evaluation, thirty cotton genotypes, including five Gossypium arboreum (wild) and twenty-five Gossypium hirsutum (cultivated), were grown under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Drought tolerance indices (DTI) were evaluated, categorizing genotypes based on their resilience. Further, in-vitro screening at the seedling stage (20 days) under PEG-induced drought identified tolerant genotypes exhibiting elevated levels of free proline (19.07±5.31 mg.g−100fr.wt.), amino acids (34.59±6.51 mg.g−100fr.wt.), soluble proteins (13.73±2.65 mg.g−1fr.wt.), and glycine betaine (10.95±3.62 mg.g−100fr.wt.), in their leaves, positively correlating (p<0.001) with relative water content (87.70±3.45 %). Molecular analysis using drought-specific simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers revealed significant genetic variability in a cotton genotypes, with lower observed and higher expected heterozygosity. F statistics exposed a higher level of gene flow corresponding to low differentiation among populations. Among the genotypes group, wild GAM-67 and cultivated Deviraj emerged as the most potent, exhibiting the higher DTI and diverse gene pools. Study exhibited higher total gene diversity in drought-tolerant wild GAM-67 (0.8501) and greater expected heterozygosity (0.626) and gene flow (0.6731) in cultivated Deviraj, underlining their robust genetic adaptability to drought conditions. The integrated approach of field evaluations, in-vitro screening, and molecular analyses explained substantial genetic diversity, with the identification of promising genotypes displaying higher drought tolerance indices, elevated levels of stress-related biochemical osmolytes, and pronounced genetic adaptability, thereby contributing to the advancement of breeding initiatives for enhanced drought resilience in cotton. [Display omitted] • Thirty cotton genotypes were categorized according to their drought tolerance indices (DTI). • GAM-67 (wild) and Deviraj (cultivated) exhibited higher biochemical osmolytes, DTI and productivity, considering promising genotypes. • SSR markers unveiled significant genetic variability, high gene flow, and diverse gene pools in promising genotypes. • These genotypes performed better for the coefficient of gene differentiation and expected heterozygosity. • Molecular analysis reveals substantial genetic diversity, aiding breeding efforts for enhanced drought resilience in cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strict biennials are among the least known lifecycles in plant ecology due to their rarity in nature, and their population genetics still remain unknown. The present study addressed the strict biennial lifecycle and associated population genetics of Pedicularis hallaisanensis , an endangered endemic plant in Korea. All P. hallaisanensis individuals were counted in August from 2021 to 2023 in the wild population of Gayasan National Park, and lifecycle and morphological changes were monitored monthly. A de novo draft genome and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis were used to study the population's genetic structure. P. hallaisanensis strictly requires a 2-year lifecycle per generation, including 8 and 10 months of growing periods as a first-year seedling and second-year adult, respectively. Facultative annual and perennial lifecycles were undetected, resulting in odd-year and even-year flowering cohorts. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance on the detected 3,716 SNPs demonstrated that the flowering group (p < 0.005), microhabitat (p < 0.001), and their interaction (p < 0.01) had a significant effect on genetic structure, which was differentiated between odd-year and even-year flowering cohorts. Other cluster analyses also showed that a microhabitat under historical anthropogenic interventions contained lowered genetic diversity due to a decreased genetic distance between odd-year and even-year flowering cohorts (p < 0.05). Overall, the findings suggest that excessive anthropogenic interventions should be avoided to preserve genetic diversity in the wild P. hallaisanensis population. Moreover, conservation programs for similar biennial plants should collect wild breeds from both odd-year and even-year flowering cohorts to improve the genetic diversity of artificially propagated individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chestnut tree exhibits self-incompatibility, where the selection of the male parent (pollen xenia) significantly affects seed starch metabolism, as well as fruit yield and quality. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying pollen xenia remains largely unknown. In this study, we utilized the 'Lan You' variety of C. mollissima to construct a high-quality reference genome. As a result, a first Telomere-to-telomere (T2T) gap-free genome for this species was successfully assembled. A total of 560 transcription factors and 22 structural genes were identified as consistent across the TO-GCNs, indicating a consistent regulation pattern in the co-expression of genes involved in starch accumulation. These networks were further divided into three sub-networks: T1, T2, and T3. Among these, the T1 and T2 sub-networks exhibited a higher number of structural genes with consistent regulation patterns and were closely associated with sugar biosynthesis. The gene SBE (Camol08G0254600) was identified as the hub gene with the highest degree of connectivity, encoding a key rate-limiting enzyme in the amylopectin biosynthesis pathway. This study provides a foundation for further research on C. mollissima population genetics, genetic improvement, and strategies aimed at enhancing yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of standing variation present within populations is a fundamental quantity of interest in population genetics, commonly represented by calculating the average number of differences between pairs of nucleotide sequences (nucleotide diversity, π). It is well understood that both background and positive selection can cause reductions in nucleotide diversity, but less clear how local adaptation affects it. Depending on the assumptions and parameters, some theoretical studies have emphasized how local adaptation can reduce nucleotide diversity, while others have shown that it can increase it. Here, we explore how local adaptation shapes genome-wide patterns in within-population nucleotide diversity, extending previous work to study the effects of polygenic adaptation, genotypic redundancy, and population structure. We show that local adaptation produces two very different patterns depending on the relative strengths of migration and selection, either markedly decreasing or increasing within-population diversity at linked sites at equilibrium. At low migration, regions of depleted diversity can extend large distances from the causal locus, with substantially more diversity eroded than expected with background selection. With higher migration, peaks occur over much smaller genomic distances but with much larger magnitude changes in diversity. Across spatially extended environmental gradients, both patterns can be found within a single species, with increases in diversity at the center of the range and decreases towards the periphery. Our results demonstrate that there is no universal diagnostic signature of local adaptation based on within-population nucleotide diversity, so it will not be broadly useful for explaining increased FST. However, given that neither background nor positive selection inflate diversity, when peaks are found they suggest local adaptation may be acting on a causal allele in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neotropical forest ecosystems harbour significant biodiversity. To develop effective insect conservation practices, it is important to understand the factors that influence the diversity and population structure of the species.Dispersal, a key determinant of population structure, is well studied in termites nesting in wood, for which it can be influenced by wood transport, or in termites living in urban environments. However, understanding the dispersal of termites whose mobility remains unaffected by wood transport remains understudied.We investigated the dispersal of Embiratermes neotenicus, a soil‐feeding species with short dispersal distance, in the Neotropical region, where both intact and degraded forests exist. Using mitochondrial and nuclear data, we analysed genetic diversity, structure and factors contributing to population differentiation in Suriname and French Guiana at multiple scales for 70 colonies.The population in French Guiana is the ancestral population in the region that subsequently expanded.Significant genetic differentiation between populations was observed, with distinct patterns identified in Suriname and French Guiana. The Suriname population showed higher genetic diversity and no subpopulation differentiation, whereas the French Guiana population showed substructure into distinct genetic clusters.Analyses at the scale of all colonies suggest the influence of landscape features, such as the Maroni River, on genetic differentiation. At the local scale, genetic differentiation between colonies increases with forest alteration, even when this does not include major changes in forest cover.Our results highlight the sensitivity of soil‐feeding termite populations to habitat change. We argue that multi‐scale studies are needed for a comprehensive understanding of genetic patterns, especially for species with short dispersal distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two invasive Reynoutria species, Reynoutria japonica var. japonica and Reynoutria sachalinensis, and their hybrid Reynoutria x bohemica are often misidentified by managers and nonspecialists. The taxonomic confusions are all the more exacerbated by the infraspecific variability of introduced populations in terms of morphology, genetic diversity, and ploidy level. We resolved the identity of North‐Eastern French invasive populations using 4582 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a RADseq analysis, DNA contents estimated by flow cytometry, and 12 vegetative morphometric variables. The SNPs supported only one single genotype for R. japonica over 11 localities, while the nine localities of Reynoutria x bohemica were represented by one genotype each. Estimation of genome size using DAPI staining and flow cytometry revealed only octoploid cytotypes for R. japonica and hexaploid cytotypes for R. x bohemica, whereas R. sachalinensis was represented by tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes. Among morphometric variables, no single one allows for a clear differentiation of the three taxa. We propose a combination of characters to easily and quickly identify these three invasive taxa based on six vegetative criteria including leaf and apex length, as well as leaf shape, leaf base, and apex shape, and the extrafloral nectaries on the node. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), renowned for its nutritional value and health benefits, is believed to have originated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River in China, where it underwent domestication from wild jujube. Nonetheless, the evolutionary trajectory and species differentiation between wild jujube and cultivated jujube still require further elucidation. The chloroplast genome (plastome), characterized by its relatively lower mutation rate compared to the nuclear genome, serves as an excellent model for evolutionary and comparative genomic research. In this study, we analyzed 326 nonredundant plastomes, encompassing 133 jujube cultivars and 193 wild jujube genotypes distributed throughout China. Noteworthy variations in the large single copy region primarily account for the size differences among these plastomes, impacting the evolution from wild jujube to cultivated varieties. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) unveiled a unique chloroplast‐to‐nucleus transfer event, with transferred fragments predominantly influencing the evolution of the nuclear genome while leaving the plastome relatively unaffected. Population genetics analysis revealed two distinct evolutionary pathways from wild jujube to cultivated jujube: one driven by natural selection with minimal human interference, and the other resulting from human domestication and cultivation. Molecular dating, based on phylogenetic analysis, supported the likelihood that wild jujube and cultivated jujube fall within the same taxonomic category, Z. jujuba. In summary, our study comprehensively examined jujube plastome structures and HGT events, simultaneously contributing novel insights into the intricate processes that govern the evolution and domestication of jujube species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The first chromosome-contiguous genome for an Australian strain of Haemonchus contortus (Haecon-5) was identified. • This genome and associated transcriptomic and proteomic resources underpin future fundamental and applied investigations. • There was marked genetic variation within H. contortus , both within and between strains. • A subset of conserved, essential genes were identified as potential intervention targets. Millions of livestock animals worldwide are infected with the haematophagous barber's pole worm, Haemonchus contortus , the aetiological agent of haemonchosis. Despite the major significance of this parasite worldwide and its widespread resistance to current treatments, the lack of a high-quality genome for the well-defined strain of this parasite from Australia, called Haecon-5, has constrained research in a number of areas including host-parasite interactions, drug discovery and population genetics. To enable research in these areas, we report here a chromosome-contiguous genome (∼280 Mb) for Haecon-5 with high-quality models for 19,234 protein-coding genes. Comparative genomic analyses show significant genomic similarity (synteny) with a UK strain of H. contortus , called MHco3(ISE).N1 (abbreviated as "ISE"), but we also discover marked differences in genomic structure/gene arrangements, distribution of nucleotide variability (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels) and orthology between Haecon-5 and ISE. We used the genome and extensive transcriptomic resources for Haecon-5 to predict a subset of essential single-copy genes employing a "cross-species" machine learning (ML) approach using a range of features from nucleotide/protein sequences, protein orthology, subcellular localisation, single-cell RNA-seq and/or histone methylation data available for the model organisms Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. From a set of 1,464 conserved single copy genes, transcribed in key life-cycle stages of H. contortus , we identified 232 genes whose homologs have critical functions in C. elegans and/or D. melanogaster , and prioritised 10 of them for further characterisation; nine of the 10 genes likely play roles in neurophysiological processes, germline, hypodermis and/or respiration, and one is an unknown (orphan) gene for which no detailed functional information exists. Future studies of these genes/gene products are warranted to elucidate their roles in parasite biology, host-parasite interplay and/or disease. Clearly, the present Haecon-5 reference genome and associated resources now underpin a broad range of fundamental investigations of H. contortus and could assist in accelerating the discovery of novel intervention targets and drug candidates to combat haemonchosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We reconstructed the genetic patterns and identified the main genetic breaks of several taxa across California and Baja California coast. Additionally, we evaluated the contribution of different variables to the level of structure. Location: California and Baja California coast. Taxon: Fish, invertebrates, algae, seagrass and mammals. Methods: We generated a map to reconstruct the genetic patterns using genetic information (Fst index and phylogenetic clades distribution) from a literature review of population genetics publications from 2000 to 2023. For the analysis of genetic connectivity drivers, we explored the effect of different variables representing life history traits, reproductive strategies and biogeographic variables and generated five working hypotheses which were evaluated with generalized linear models (GLMs). Results: We identified 42 genetic breaks from 63 species across our study area. The largest number of breaks occurs from 27° N to 29° N and from 31° N to 35° N. This range includes transition zones between ecoregions such as Punta Eugenia, Baja California, Mexico and Point Conception, California, USA. We also identified Ensenada, Baja California region as a barrier to gene flow. From a transboundary perspective, we found 40 species with connectivity between California and Baja California, including 14 commercial and or recreational species. We found none of the variables explored had a clear effect on the level of genetic differentiation of the species assessed in the region. Main Conclusion: Genetic breaks among different taxa do not distribute randomly across the latitudinal range from California and Baja California coastal area, rather they are mainly located in transition zones between marine ecoregions. The challenge to identify specific variables that explain general genetic patterns highlights the complexity that drives population connectivity processes in marine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Population genetics theory predicts a relationship between fitness, genetic diversity (H0) and effective population size (Ne), which is often tested through heterozygosity‐fitness correlations (HFCs).We tested whether population and individual fertility and heterozygosity are correlated in two endangered Mexican spruces (Picea martinezii and Picea mexicana) by combining genomic, demographic and reproductive data (seed development and germination traits).For both species, there was a positive correlation between population size and seed development traits, but not germination rate. Individual genome‐wide heterozygosity and seed traits were only correlated in P. martinezii (general‐effects HFC), and none of the candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with individual fertility showed heterozygote advantage in any species (no local‐effects HFC). We observed a single and recent (c. 30 thousand years ago (ka)) population decline for P. martinezii; the collapse of P. mexicana occurred in two phases separated by a long period of stability (c. 800 ka). Recruitment always contributed more to total population census than adult trees in P. mexicana, while this was only the case in the largest populations of P. martinezii.Equating fitness to either H0 or Ne, as traditionally proposed in conservation biology, might not always be adequate, as species‐specific evolutionary factors can decouple the expected correlation between these parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana) is a keystone species in the Southern Ocean ecosystem, with ecological and commercial significance. However, its vulnerability to climate change requires an urgent investigation of its adaptive potential to future environmental conditions. Historical museum collections of krill from the early 20th century represent an ideal opportunity to investigate how krill have changed over time due to predation, fishing and climate change. However, there is currently no cost‐effective method for implementing population scale collection genomics for krill given its genome size (48 Gbp). Here, we assessed the utility of two inexpensive methods for population genetics using historical krill samples, specifically low‐coverage shotgun sequencing (i.e. 'genome‐skimming') and exome capture. Two full‐length transcriptomes were generated and used to identify 166 putative gene targets for exome capture bait design. A total of 20 historical krill samples were sequenced using shotgun and exome capture. Mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal sequences were assembled from both low‐coverage shotgun and off‐target of exome capture data demonstrating that endogenous DNA sequences could be assembled from historical collections. Although, mitochondrial and ribosomal sequences are variable across individuals from different populations, phylogenetic analysis does not identify any population structure. We find exome capture provides approximately 4500‐fold enrichment of sequencing targeted genes, suggesting this approach can generate the sequencing depth required to call identify a significant number of variants. Unlocking historical collections for genomic analyses using exome capture, will provide valuable insights into past and present biodiversity, resilience and adaptability of krill populations to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasping the genetic structure ofmarine fish populations is vital for comprehending species connectivity patterns and determining the appropriate spatiotemporal scales for conservation management strategies. Here, we analyzed the population genetics of the Orangefin Ponyfish (Photopectoralis bindus Valenciennes, 1835) by examining a portion of the gene coding for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. The aim was to evaluate the haplotype pattern, genetic structure, demographic history, as well as the influence of ecological connectivity through the Qiongzhou Strait on the distribution patterns of this species in the northern South China Sea and the Beibu Gulf. In total, 257 specimens yielded only 13 haplotypes, with the predominant haplotype present at all sampling locations. The analysis revealed a "star-like" haplotype pattern, indicating low levels of both haplotype and nucleotide diversity. Additionally, a small but significant genetic structure was observed between the coastal regions flanking the Leizhou Peninsula. These patterns in the haplotype network and genetic structure may be significantly influenced by contemporary currents, particularly through the connectivity of the Qiongzhou Strait. Tajima's D and Fu's Fs demonstrated pronouncedly negative values, along with a unimodal mismatch distribution, suggested a recent demographic expansion of Photopectoralis bindus during the late Pleistocene, likely influenced by fluctuations in sea levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metafounders are a useful concept to characterize relationships within and across populations, and to help genetic evaluations because they help modelling the means and variances of unknown base population animals. Current definitions of metafounder relationships are sensitive to the choice of reference alleles and have not been compared to their counterparts in population genetics—namely, heterozygosities, FST coefficients, and genetic distances. We redefine the relationships across populations with an arbitrary base of a maximum heterozygosity population in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Then, the relationship between or within populations is a cross-product of the form Γ b , b ′ = 2 n 2 p b - 1 2 p b ′ - 1 ′ with p being vectors of allele frequencies at n markers in populations b and b ′ . This is simply the genomic relationship of two pseudo-individuals whose genotypes are equal to twice the allele frequencies. We also show that this coding is invariant to the choice of reference alleles. In addition, standard population genetics metrics (inbreeding coefficients of various forms; FST differentiation coefficients; segregation variance; and Nei's genetic distance) can be obtained from elements of matrix Γ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Since its introduction about a decade ago, target enrichment sequencing of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) has proven to be an invaluable tool for studies across evolutionary scales, and thus employed from population genetics, to historical biogeography as well as deep-time phylogenetics. Here, we present the first probe set targeting UCEs in crustaceans, specifically designed for decapods and tested beyond decapods in other malacostracan lineages. Methods: Probes were designed using published genomes of nine decapod and one peracarid species, as well as raw Nanopore long reads of one additional brachyuran species. The final probe set consists of about 20,000 probes, targeting 1,384 unique UCE loci. We compiled a dataset across Malacostraca,as well as datasets of a deep-sea squat lobster genus, and an intertidal mangrove crab species, to test the probe set at different phylogenetic levels (i.e., class, order, genus, within species). Results: Final mean UCE recovery from fresh samples across Malacostraca was 568 loci,with up to 847 and 658 loci recovered from decapod and non-decapod species, respectively. Final mean recovery from fresh samples in the genus- and within species-level datasets was 849 and 787 loci, respectively. Up to several hundreds of UCEs were recovered from historicalmuseum specimens (10 to > 150 years old), that were included in all datasets. UCE-based phylogenies largely reflected the known relationships of the included taxa, and we were able to infer population differentiation based on >600 SNPs extracted from the species-level dataset. Discussion: Our results showcase the versatility of this UCE probe set, yielding informative data from phylogenetic as well as population-genetic datasets. They demonstrate once more that UCEs are a promising technique for leveraging museum specimens for genomic studies, and overall highlight the probe set's potential for crustacean evolutionary studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The recently extirpated Zanzibar leopard was the only known African leopard (Panthera pardus spp.) population restricted exclusively to a major island habitat. Although its demise was driven through habitat change and conflict with humans, given its role as a keystone species for the Zanzibar Archipelago, its successful potential reintroduction might offer a means for helping preserve the natural biodiversity of its former habitat. Whether this is feasible, however, would be contingent on both whether closely related source populations can be identified on mainland Africa, and whether the Zanzibar form exhibited any special adaptations that might need to be considered when choosing such a source. In light of these questions, we genomically profiled two of the six known historic specimens, to explore whether they represent a realistic candidate for de‐extirpation through reintroduction. Our analyses indicate that despite its geographical separation, the Zanzibar leopard shared a close genetic relationship with mainland East African individuals. Furthermore, although its uniqueness as an island population was emphasised by genomic signatures of high inbreeding and increased mutation load, the latter similar to the level of the critically endangered Amur leopard (P. p. orientalis), we find no evidence of functionally significant genetic diversity unique to Zanzibar. We therefore conclude that should attempts to restore leopards to Zanzibar be considered, then mainland East African leopards would provide a suitable gene pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Species conservation and management benefit from precise understanding of natural patterns of dispersal and genetic variation. Using recent advances in indirect genetic methods applied to both adult plants and dispersed seeds, we find that the mean seed dispersal in a threatened marine foundation plant (the eelgrass Zostera marina) is approximately 100–200 m. This distance is surprisingly more similar to that of wind‐dispersed terrestrial seeds (~10s to 100s of meters) than the passive dispersal of marine propagules via currents (~10s to 100s of kilometres). Because nearshore marine plants like Zostera are commonly distributed across strong selective gradients driven by bathymetry (depth) even within these restricted spatial scales, seeds are capable of dispersing to novel water depths and experiencing profound shifts in light availability, temperature and wave exposure. We documented strong phenotypic variation and genome‐wide differentiation among plants separated by approximately the spatial scale of mean realised dispersal. This result suggests genetic isolation by environment in response to depth‐related environmental gradients as one plausible explanation for this pattern. The ratio of effective to census size (or Ne/Nc) approximated 0.1%, indicating that a fraction of existing plants provides the genetic variation to allow adaptation to environmental change. Our results suggest that successful conservation of seagrass meadows that can adapt to microspatial and temporal variation in environmental conditions will be low without direct and persistent intervention using large numbers of individuals or a targeted selection of genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life cycles with a prolonged haploid phase are thought to be correlated with greater rates of selfing and asexual reproduction. In red algae, recent population genetic studies have aimed to test this prediction but have mostly focused on marine species with separate sexes. We characterized the reproductive system of the obligately monoicous (i.e., hermaphroditic) freshwater red alga Batrachospermum gelatinosum and predicted that we would find genetic signatures of uniparental reproduction because of its haploid‐diploid life cycle. We sampled 18 sites and genotyped 311 gametophytes with 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci to describe the reproductive system. Genotypic richness was low (<0.5) and pareto β values (describing clonal membership) were <0.7 for most sites. In taxa with separate sexes, these patterns are typically indicative of asexual reproduction. However, the genetic consequences of selfing in monoicous gametophytes are indistinguishable from those caused by asexual processes. Since we sampled gametophytes and have not yet genotyped the chantransia (i.e., the diploid phase), we interpreted low diversity as a signature of intragametophytic selfing. Additionally, to understand the factors that drive selfing, we tested latitude and several other environmental variables, but none was significantly correlated with the genetic variation we observed. Nevertheless, future studies should genotype the chantransia to measure observed heterozygosity among other summary statistics to disentangle the effects of selfing versus asexual reproduction. Together, these data, coupled with further characterization of abiotic factors that influence population genetic patterns, will allow us to test potential drivers of reproductive system evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Describing naturally occurring genetic variation is a fundamental goal of molecular phylogeography and population genetics. Popular methods for this task include STRUCTURE, a model‐based algorithm that assigns individuals to genetic clusters, and principal component analysis (PCA), a parameter‐free method. The ability of STRUCTURE to infer mixed ancestry makes it popular for documenting natural hybridisation, which is of considerable interest to evolutionary biologists, given that such systems provide a window into the speciation process. Yet, STRUCTURE can produce misleading results when its underlying assumptions are violated, like when genetic variation is distributed continuously across geographic space. To test the ability of STRUCTURE and PCA to accurately distinguish admixture from continuous variation, we use forward‐time simulations to generate population genetic data under three demographic scenarios: two involving admixture and one with isolation by distance (IBD). STRUCTURE and PCA alone cannot distinguish admixture from IBD, but complementing these analyses with triangle plots, which visualise hybrid index against interclass heterozygosity, provides more accurate inference of demographic history, especially in cases of recent admixture. We demonstrate that triangle plots are robust to missing data, while STRUCTURE and PCA are not, and show that setting a low allele frequency difference threshold for ancestry‐informative marker (AIM) identification can accurately characterise the relationship between hybrid index and interclass heterozygosity across demographic histories of admixture and range expansion. While STRUCTURE and PCA provide useful summaries of genetic variation, results should be paired with triangle plots before admixture is inferred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula huber‐morathii is an endemic and medicinally important plant. This species is distributed in eight Turkish localities, including three newly identified ones. Its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy is determined to be 3963 km2 and 32 km2 respectively. All localities are characterized by East Mediterranean and sub‐Mediterranean precipitation regimes; however, temperatures increase excessively and precipitation decreases during the flowering period of the species. The population sizes are quite small, and the number of reproducing individuals in some populations is below ten. Analyses of ISSR markers showed the percentage of polymorphic loci to be 94% at the species level and 56% at the population level. The level of genetic differentiation (measured by GST) was 0.37 and the estimated level of gene flow among populations (NM) was 0.84. The percentage of variance occurring within and among populations, determined by AMOVA, was 75% and 25%, respectively. STRUCTURE analysis revealed two genetic clusters of individuals with a geographic structure, similar to that found in UPGMA and an ordination analysis. Some populations turned out to have both low numbers of individuals and low genetic diversity. Since many of the populations are subject to anthropogenic disturbance, the species should remain in the EN category. At the same time, it is suggested that a new in‐situ conservation area should be created around nearby dams, situated in the same climate area as the currently known populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical approaches have become a standard in many scientific disciplines, including population genetics. By analysing properly selected datasets, students can calculate parameters and draw conclusions about genetic diversity, differentiation and evolution of populations with higher efficiency than if based exclusively on theoretical lessons. However, preparing the appropriate datasets is a hard task and a wrong selection can spoil a well-intended activity. Here we present SimHyb 2, a software tool specifically intended to support a full understanding of evolutionary forces by students and to help the teacher to prepare adequate datasets and examples for practice. It simulates the course of a mixed population under user-defined reproductive and evolutionary conditions, providing fully traceable pedigrees of individuals. SimHyb2 is specifically intended for the analysis of long-term hybridisation and introgression, covering a gap in the software available to date. Outputs can be easily adapted for downstream analysis with other popular tools as GenAlEx or Structure. Thus, SimHyb 2 is very suitable for project-based-learning approaches: students can produce their own datasets in different scenarios of genetic drift, migration, selective advantage, and reproductive success. Satisfactory results from its ongoing utilisation in higher education and research are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding population genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of marine fish species can provide theoretical bases for fishery management and germplasm conservation, especially facing a changing environment. The rockfish species in genus Sebastiscus are economically important species for farming and sport fisheries in China, Japan and Korea. In this study, inter-annual and inter-specific comparisons on genetic diversity, population differentiation and historical demography of S. marmoratus and S. tertius collected from coastal waters of Zhangzhou, China were conducted using mitochondrial control region sequences. High levels of genetic diversity were observed in both species, indicating high adaptive potential to environmental changes. Demographic analyses detected recent population expansion in population S. tertius (Ste-2020) and population S. marmoratus collected in 2020 (Sma-2020), yet failed in population collected in 2016 (Sma-2016). Moreover, in population Sma-2020, novel haplotypes were detected and grouped into a separate sub-branch, revealed by neighbour-joining topology. Detected recent population expansion and novel haplotypes might be considered as a response to environmental changes. Besides, results of genetic differentiation analysis suggested high intra-specific genetic variation in both species. These genetic data and information will provide novel implications for strengthening the management of S. marmoratus and S. tertius fisheries in climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reviews the knowledge to date on the carrot cyst nematode Heterodera carotae, which has become the primary threat to the carrot sector following the withdrawal of the last chemical soil fumigants in Europe. A keyword co-occurrence network was used to structure this review into five research areas: i) biology and epidemiology of H. carotae; ii) molecular identification and phylogeny; iii) population genetics and genomics; iv) control methods and strategies; and v) root exudates and hatching stimulation. Our findings indicate that H. carotae is an under-studied plant-parasitic nematode species, with several identified alternative control methods that require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshwater red alga Batrachospermum gelatinosum has a well‐documented distribution spanning historically glaciated and unglaciated eastern North America. This alga has no known desiccation‐resistant propagule; thus, long‐distance dispersal events are likely rare. We predicted strong genetic structure among drainage basins and admixture among sites within basins. We predicted greater genetic diversity at lower latitude sites because they likely serve as refugia and the origin of northward, post‐Pleistocene range expansion. We used 10 microsatellite loci to investigate genetic diversity from 311 gametophytes from 18 sites in five major drainage basins: South Atlantic Gulf, Mid‐Atlantic, Ohio River, Great Lakes, and Northeast. Our data showed strong genetic partitioning among drainage basins and among sites within basins, yet no isolation by distance was detected. Genetic diversity varied widely among sites and was not strictly related to latitude as predicted. The results from B. gelatinosum provide strong support that each stream site contributes to the unique genetic variation within the species, potentially due to limited dispersal and the prevailing reproductive mode of intragametophytic selfing. Simulations of migration suggested post‐Pleistocene dispersal from the Mid‐Atlantic. Batrachospermum gelatinosum potentially persisted in refugia that were just south of the ice margins rather than in the southernmost part of its range. Research of other taxa with similar ranges could determine whether these results are generally applicable for freshwater red algae. Nevertheless, these results from B. gelatinosum add to the growing literature focused on the patterns and genetic consequences of post‐Pleistocene range expansion by eastern North American biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Montane landscapes present an array of abiotic challenges that drive adaptive evolution amongst organisms. These adaptations can promote habitat specialisation, which may heighten the risk of extirpation from environmental change. For example, higher metabolic rates in an endothermic species may contribute to heightened cold tolerance, whilst simultaneously limiting heat tolerance. Here, using the climate‐sensitive American pika (Ochotona princeps), we test for evidence of intraspecific adaptive variation amongst environmental gradients across the Intermountain West of North America. We leveraged results from previous studies on pika adaptation to generate a custom nuclear target enrichment design to sequence several hundred candidate genes related to cold, hypoxia and dietary detoxification. We also applied a ‘genome skimming’ approach to sequence mitochondrial DNA. Using genotype–environment association tests, we identified rare genomic variants associated with elevation and temperature variation amongst populations. Amongst mitochondrial genes, we identified intraspecific variation in selective signals and significant changes to the amino acid property equilibrium constant, which may relate to electron transport chain efficiency. These results illustrate a complex dynamic of adaptive variation amongst O. princeps where lineages and populations have adapted to unique regional conditions. Some of the clearest signals of selection were in a genetic lineage that includes pikas of the Great Basin region, which is also where recent localised extirpations have taken place and highlights the risk of losing adaptive alleles during environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene drives have great potential for suppression of pest populations and removal of exotic invasive species. CRISPR homing suppression drive is a powerful but unconfined drive, posing risks of uncontrolled spread. Thus, developing methods for confining a gene drive is of great significance. Tethered drive combines a confined system such as Toxin‐Antidote Recessive Embryo drive with a strong drive such as a homing suppression drive. It can prevent the homing drive from spreading beyond the confined drive and can be constructed readily, giving it good prospects for future development. However, we have found that care must be taken when deploying tethered drive systems in some scenarios. Simulations of tethered drive in a panmictic population model reveal that successful deployment requires a proper release ratio between the two components, tailored to prevent the suppression drive from eliminating the confined system before it has the chance to spread. Spatial models where the population moves over a one‐dimensional landscape display a more serious phenomenon of drive wave interference between the two tethered drive components. If the faster suppression drive wave catches up to the confined drive wave, success is still possible, but it is dependent on drive performance and ecological parameters. Two‐dimensional simulations further restrict the parameter range for drive success. Thus, careful consideration must be given to drive performance and ecological conditions, as well as specific release proposals for potential application of tethered drive systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many human pathogens, including malaria, dengue, influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and cytomegalovirus, coexist as multiple genetically distinct strains. Understanding how these multistrain pathogens evolve is of critical importance for forecasting epidemics and predicting the consequences of vaccination. One factor believed to play an important role is naturally acquired immunity. Consequently, a large body of research has sought to predict how acquired immunity molds the genomics of pathogen populations (i.e., what shapes pathogen strain structure). The diversity of existing models has resulted in conflicting evolutionary predictions and has sparked an ongoing debate about which predictions are most broadly applicable. Here, we adopt a multilocus population genetics perspective that unifies the predictions of existing models. We identify three key factors that determine the role of naturally acquired immunity in the evolution of pathogen strain structure: i) the strength and specificity of immune protections, ii) the dynamic immunological landscape, and iii) the number of loci coding for the antigens of the pathogen. Isolating and discussing these three factors clarifies the relationship among previous models of multistrain dynamics, and establishes a solid theoretical foundation for the study of the evolutionary epidemiology of multistrain pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The sect. Chrysantha Chang of plants with yellow flowers of Camellia species as the "Queen of the Tea Family", most of these species are narrowly distributed endemics of China and are currently listed Grde-II in National Key Protected Wild Plant of China. They are commercially important plants with horticultural medicinal and scientific research value. However, the study of the sect. Chrysantha species genetics are still in its infancy, to date, the mitochondrial genome in sect. Chrysantha has been still unexplored. Results: In this study, we provide a comprehensive assembly and annotation of the mitochondrial genomes for four species within the sect. Chrysantha. The results showed that the mitochondrial genomes were composed of closed-loop DNA molecules with sizes ranging from 850,836 bp (C. nitidissima) to 1,098,121 bp (C. tianeensis) with GC content of 45.71–45.78% and contained 48–58 genes, including 28–37 protein-coding genes, 17–20 tRNA genes and 2 rRNA genes. We also examined codon usage, sequence repeats, RNA editing and selective pressure in the four species. Then, we performed a comprehensive comparison of their basic structures, GC contents, codon preferences, repetitive sequences, RNA editing sites, Ka/Ks ratios, haplotypes, and RNA editing sites. The results showed that these plants differ little in gene type and number. C. nitidissima has the greatest variety of genes, while C. tianeensis has the greatest loss of genes. The Ka/Ks values of the atp6 gene in all four plants were greater than 1, indicating positive selection. And the codons ending in A and T were highly used. In addition, the RNA editing sites differed greatly in number, type, location, and efficiency. Twelve, six, five, and twelve horizontal gene transfer (HGT) fragments were found in C. tianeensis, Camellia huana, Camellia liberofilamenta, and C. nitidissima, respectively. The phylogenetic tree clusters the four species of sect. Chrysantha plants into one group, and C. huana and C. liberofilamenta have closer affinities. Conclusions: In this study, the mitochondrial genomes of four sect. Chrysantha plants were assembled and annotated, and these results contribute to the development of new genetic markers, DNA barcode databases, genetic improvement and breeding, and provide important references for scientific research, population genetics, and kinship identification of sect. Chrysantha plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variation among populations is reflected in biogeographic patterns for many species, but general rules of spatial genetic variation have not been established. In this paper, we establish a theoretical framework based on projecting environmental Grinellian niches back through time to relate the present geographic distribution of population genetic structure to a given species' historical evolutionary context. Thanks to advances in next‐generation sequencing technologies, as well as more accurate climate models and the amassing of information stored in biological collections, it is possible to implement this theoretical framework directly. We develop a case study of the tassel‐eared squirrel Sciurus aberti to jointly analyze spatial, environmental, and genetic data to predict the historical endemic area of this species. Our results reveal that in cases of genetic isolation by geographic distance, the prevalence of environmental suitability over time corresponds to the genetic fixation index (Fst) of populations with respect to a source population. Populations closer to the historical endemic area show higher genetic diversity and a lower Fst value. This empirical example relates back to the theoretical framework, allowing two further advances: 1) a layer of biogeographic explanation for the results obtained from population genomic methods; and 2) predictive maps of this genetic structure to support biodiversity conservation efforts. Overall, this work advances a perspective that integrates population genetics with historical patterns of species distribution. The limitations posed in the theoretical framework should be considered before implementing the suitability prevalence area (SPA) in a general way over different taxa. Otherwise, the predictability of the genetic diversity of populations as a product of environmental stability over time may not be adequate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In order to provide a more comprehensive, community‐level understanding of marine gene flow and connectivity, we wished to first identify geographic regions of common spatial genetic divergence across multiple species along a southern temperate coastline, and then to determine which biological and ecological factors best explain the diversity in genetic patterns among species. Location: New Zealand (NZ) marine coastline. Taxon: Twenty‐one species of benthic invertebrate. Materials and Methods: A novel approach was used that involved: (1) use of genetic divergences (FST) from previously published studies to quantitatively describe patterns of population structure within each species as a fitted spline curve, (2) quantitatively clustering species by their similarity in geographic pattern using a dendrogram of curve similarities, and (3) then testing whether nine known life‐history and ecological traits are associated with the species sharing similar genetic patterns, using distance‐based regression. Results: Comparisons among species revealed not one, but four major common geographic patterns, within unexpected groups of species. The common locations of genetic divergence are similar to those previously identified, but differ substantially in their relative importance, compared to prior expectations. Two variables, Spawning Time and Taxon, explained significant proportions (26% and 16%) of the variation in the multivariate data. Main Conclusions: The genogeographic clustering of population genetic divergences provided considerable insight into the concordance of marine spatial structure across species, and some potential biological drivers of those patterns. The four common patterns of population structure identified revealed that different species responded to the same environmental drivers in very different and unexpected ways. Although larval dispersal is an important factor uniting groups of species, the timing of dispersal may be more important than pelagic larval duration in NZ. These results should contribute greatly to the integration of population genetics into both community ecology and conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small and isolated populations face several intrinsic risks, such as genetic drift, inbreeding depression, and reduced gene flow. Thus, patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation have become an important focus of conservation genetics research. The golden snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus roxellana , an endangered species endemic to China, has experienced rapid reduction in population size and severe population fragmentation over the past few decades. We measured the patterns of genetic diversity and population differentiation using both neutral microsatellites and adaptive major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in 2 R. roxellana populations (DPY and GNG) distributed on the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, respectively. Eight MHC-linked haplotypes formed by 5 DQA1 alleles, 5 DQB1 alleles, 5 DRB1 alleles, and 4 DRB2 alleles were detected in the 2 populations. The larger GNG population showed higher genetic variation for both MHC and microsatellites than the smaller DPY population, suggesting an effect of genetic drift on genetic variation. Genetic differentiation index (F ST) outlier analyses, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), and inferred population genetic structure showed lower genetic differentiation in the MHC variations than microsatellites, suggesting that pathogen-mediated balancing selection, rather than local adaptation, homogenized the MHC genes of both populations. This study indicates that both balancing selection and genetic drift may shape genetic variation and differentiation in small and fragmented populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Whole-genome duplication (polyploidization) is a dominant force in sympatric speciation, particularly in plants. Genome doubling instantly poses a barrier to gene flow owing to the strong crossing incompatibilities between individuals differing in ploidy. The strength of the barrier, however, varies from species to species and recent genetic investigations revealed cases of rampant interploidy introgression in multiple ploidy-variable species. Scope Here, we review novel insights into the frequency of interploidy gene flow in natural systems and summarize the underlying mechanisms promoting interploidy gene flow. Field surveys, occasionally complemented by crossing experiments, suggest frequent opportunities for interploidy gene flow, particularly in the direction from diploid to tetraploid, and between (higher) polyploids. However, a scarcity of accompanying population genetic evidence and a virtual lack of integration of these approaches leave the underlying mechanisms and levels of realized interploidy gene flow in nature largely unknown. Finally, we discuss potential consequences of interploidy genome permeability on polyploid speciation and adaptation and highlight novel avenues that have just recently been opened by the very first genomic studies of ploidy-variable species. Standing in stark contrast with rapidly accumulating evidence for evolutionary importance of homoploid introgression, similar cases in ploidy-variable systems are yet to be documented. Conclusions The genomics era provides novel opportunity to re-evaluate the role of interploidy introgression in speciation and adaptation. To achieve this goal, interdisciplinary studies bordering ecology and population genetics and genomics are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parthenogenesis is an asexual reproduction mode characterized by the development of a female oocyte without fertilization. From an evolutionary perspective, parthenogenesis seems less successful than the predominant sexual mode, though there are groups in which both reproductive types exist, an example of which is the genus Artemia Leach, 1819. This salt-tolerant crustacean inhabiting hypersaline environments contains regionally endemic sexual species and obligate parthenogenetic groups with different ploidy levels, collectively referred to as Artemia parthenogenetica. Here, we discuss the difficulties of using a common species concept in Artemia Leach, 1819. While sexual species are widespread and fit the Biological Species Concept (BSC), which emphasizes reproductive isolation to maintain species genetic integrity or cohesiveness, it does not apply to uniparental organisms originating from sexual species with major meiotic changes. We show that different ploidy levels of parthenogenetic Artemia groups with uniform nuclear gene pools are maternally independent genetic entities (or cohesive), collectively and wrongly referred to as Artemia parthenogenetica. Thus, we conclude that ' Artemia parthenogenetica ' is an invalid nominal specific name. Additionally, parthenogenetic Artemia groups cannot be considered a form of Artemia species (A. urmiana and/or A. sinica). In conclusion, we recommend using the term 'parthenogenetic lineage(s)' instead of 'parthenogenetic population(s)' to describe asexual Artemia group(s), because in modern population genetics and systematics, the term 'population' refers to interbreeding individuals with sexual reproduction. Furthermore, it clarifies that parthenogenetic lineages of Artemia are native to Mediterranean biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common practice of using subspecies as conservation targets raises the question of whether efforts are focused on preserving conspicuous components of the species' phenotypic variability rather than evolutionarily significant units. To address this question, in this study we performed a comprehensive morphological and genetic assessment on all the subspecies of wall lizard described for the Aeolian Archipelago (Italy) to determine whether they represent distinct evolutionary lineages and/or discrete phenotypic partitions. Further, we applied a monophyly test to 70 subspecies belonging to seven wall lizard species occurring in Italy, based on our results and on previous phylogeographic studies. We found that none of the Aeolian subspecies represents a distinct evolutionary lineage, despite some morphological differentiation of island populations across the archipelago, suggesting a very recent origin of island populations and of the observed phenotype variation. Across seven wall lizard species, tests revealed that lizard subspecies rarely (< 9% of cases) match evolutionary units. This study demonstrates that intraspecific taxonomy of wall lizards is a poor predictor of phylogeographic partitions and evolutionary units, and therefore of limited use (if not dangerous) for defining conservation and management units. A better approach would be relying on the integration of genomic and phenotypic data to assess the evolutionary significance and conservation value of phenotypic and genetic units within species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A species' demographic history gives important context to contemporary population genetics and a possible insight into past responses to climate change; with an individual's genome providing a window into the evolutionary history of contemporary populations. Pairwise sequentially Markovian coalescent (PSMC) analysis uses information from a single genome to derive fluctuations in effective population size change over the last ~5 million years. Here, we apply PSMC analysis to two European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) genomes, sampled in Northwest and Southern Europe, with the aim of revealing the demographic history of nightjar in Europe. We successfully reconstructed effective population size over the last 5 million years. Our analysis shows that in response to global climate change, the effective population size of nightjar broadly increased under stable warm periods and decreased during cooler spans and prolonged glacial periods. PSMC analysis on the pseudo‐diploid combination of the two genomes revealed fluctuations in gene flow between ancestral populations over time, with gene flow ceasing by the last‐glacial period. Our results are tentatively suggestive of divergence in the European nightjar population, with timings consistent with differentiation being driven by restriction to different refugia during periods of glaciation. Finally, our results suggest that migratory behaviour in nightjar likely evolved prior to the last‐glacial period, with long‐distance migration seemingly persisting throughout the Pleistocene. However, further genetic structure analysis of individuals from known breeding sites across the species' contemporary range is needed to understand the extent and origins of range‐wide differentiation in nightjar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleurogenoides japonicus (Trematoda: Microphalloidea) is an important parasite in wood frogs with high infection rates and significant ecological, economic, and societal importance. The scarcity of molecular data for these parasites severely limits population genetics and phylogenetic studies. In the present study, for the first time, we determined and described the entire mitochondrial (mt) genome of P. japonicus as the first representative of the family Pleurogenidae. The entire mt genome of P. japonicus was circular, with 15,043 bp (GenBank accession number OR900118), containing 36 genes, comprising 12 protein‐coding genes (cox1–3, nad1–6, nad4L, cytb, and atp6), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two non‐coding regions. There were 23 intergenic spacers, ranging from 2 to 162 bp, and only one 40 bp overlap between nad4L and nad4 genes in the P. japonicus mt genome. The nucleotide composition of P. japonicus mt genome exhibited a strong AT bias with a 63.75% A + T content, while the AT‐ and GC‐skews were − 0.435 and 0.407, respectively. Comparative analysis demonstrated that the P. japonicus mt genome shared the most common characteristics with Microphalloidea trematodes, and the cox1 gene was the longest and most conserved gene in Microphalloidea trematodes. The gene arrangements of Xiphidiata trematodes were of the same order based on protein‐coding genes and rRNA genes, except for tRNA. More than two gene arrangement types exist in Echinostomata and Xiphidiata, and the gene rearrangement events mainly occurred in "trnE‐trnG" and "trnG‐trnE". Phylogenetic analysis suggested that trematodes of the family Pleurogenidae clustered more with Prosthogonimidae than Eucotylidae. The mt genome data of P. japonicus provide an accurate genetic marker for further studies of Xiphidiata trematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline of biodiversity, particularly among amphibians, is strongly associated with habitat loss and fragmentation. Vernal pools are a critical ecosystem for many pool‐breeding amphibians, but they are often overlooked in wetland protection guidelines. Mitigation efforts include vernal pool creation and restoration, but these efforts have varying success in replacing lost functions. This study investigates the success of created vernal pools through long‐term environmental monitoring of wood frogs and spotted salamanders (2014–2023) and integrates population genetics to assess the local population health of the wood frog. First, we monitored and compared environmental parameters and reproductive success of indicator species between natural and created pools in a Pennsylvania state park. We then used microsatellite loci to assess within‐ and between‐pool measures of genetic diversity, population structuring, and gene flow for wood frogs. We found two carefully designed created pools positively contributed to local amphibian population persistence by maintaining similar measures of genetic diversity as compared to natural pools. On the other hand, one poorly created pool was genetically distinct and acted as a population sink. Although our findings offer valuable insights, they are based on a limited sample and may not fully represent the broader landscape. However, by integrating genetic information into long‐term monitoring datasets, our interdisciplinary approach enhances our understanding of amphibian population dynamics in vernal pool ecosystems. Our findings imply that the most important factors for restoration practitioners to consider when creating or restoring vernal pools are hydroperiod (12–35 weeks), volume (> 50 m3), depth (≥ 30 cm), and surrounding forest land cover (> 60%). These variables are better predictors of indicator species success than pool type (i.e., natural or created). Ultimately, this study emphasizes the need to accompany restoration efforts with long‐term monitoring programs that can be used to make adaptive management decisions in an era of extreme environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant responses to environmental heterogeneity depend on life‐history traits, which could relate to phenotypical and genetic characteristics. To elucidate this relationship, we examined the variation in population genetics and functional traits of short‐ and long‐lived Artemisia species that are co‐occurring in the steppes of Mongolia. Mongolian steppes represent stressful and water‐limited habitats, demanding phenotypic modifications in the short term and/or genetic adaptation in the long term. However, detailed knowledge is missing about both plant phenotypic and genetic differentiation, and their interrelationships in temperate grasslands. Here, we investigated 21 populations of the widely distributed subshrub Artemisia frigida and the herbaceous biennial Artemisia scoparia. Genetic variation was assessed with newly developed simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers. Functional trait data were collected from each individual, and data on environmental variables was collected for each population. We detected significantly higher genetic diversity in the biennial species (HE = 0.86) compared with the perennial (HE = 0.79). For both species, the largest share of genetic variation was partitioned within populations (96%). Population genetic structure in the biennial A. scoparia was weak, while the perennial A. frigida showed some spatial genetic structure, which was impacted by geographical factors, soil nutrients, and precipitation amount. Morphology‐related functional traits (i.e., plant height) were predominantly associated with environmental variables rather than with genetic variation, whereas physiology‐related trait (i.e., specific leaf area [SLA]) was partly genetically determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamaricaceae comprises about 120 species and has a long evolutionary history, Tamarix Linn accounts for approximately 75% of the total species in this family. It is the most widely distributed and diverse genus in the family. They have important ecological significance for transforming deserts and improving climate conditions. However, Tamarix is the most poorly classified genera among flowering plants owing to its large variability and high susceptibility to interspecific hybridization. In this study, the complete chloroplast genomes of three Tamarix species and one draft chloroplast genome were obtained in this study. Combined with eight chloroplast genomes deposited in GenBank, complete chloroplast sequences of 12 Tamarix species were used for further analysis. There are 176 non‐SSR‐related indels and 681 non‐indel‐related SSRs in the 12 Tamarix chloroplast genomes. The mononucleotide SSRs are the most prevalent among all types of SSRs. The mVISTA results indicate high sequence similarities across the chloroplast genome, suggesting that the chloroplast genomes are highly conserved, except for sample Tamarix androssowii (ENC850343). The IR regions and the coding regions are more conserved than the single‐copy and noncoding regions. The trnF‐ndhJ, ndhC‐trnM‐CAU, ycf1, and trnL‐UAG‐ndhF regions are the most variable and have higher variability than those of the universal DNA markers. Finally, the first phylogenetic tree of Tamaricaceae was constructed which confirmed the monophyly of Tamarix in Tamaricaceae. The first phylogenetic tree of Tamarix was based on the complete chloroplast genome to date, the changes in branch length and support rate can potentially help us clarify the phylogenetic relationships of Tamarix. All the obtained genetic resources will facilitate future studies in population genetics, species identification, and conservation biology of Tamarix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many methods are now available to calculate Ne, but their performance varies depending on assumptions. Although simulated data are useful to discover certain types of bias, real empirical data supported by detailed known population histories allow us to discern how well methods perform with actual messy and complex data. Here, we focus on two genomic data sets of grey wolf populations for which population size changes of the past 40–120 years are well documented. We use this background to explore in what detail we can retrieve the known population history from these populations, in the light of pitfalls relating to population history, sampling design and the change in the spatial scale at which Ne is estimated as we go further back in time. The Scandinavian wolf population was founded in the early 1980s from a few individuals and has gradually expanded up to 510 wolves. Although the founder event of the Scandinavian population was detected by GONE, the founding effective population size was strongly overestimated when the most recent samples were used, but less so when older samples were considered. Nevertheless, the present‐day Ne corresponds to theoretical expectations. The western Great Lakes wolf population of Minnesota is the only population in the contiguous United States that persisted throughout the 20th century, surviving intense persecution. We found a good concordance between the estimated Ne and trends in census size data, but the reconstruction of Ne clearly highlights the difficulty of interpreting results in spatially structured populations that underwent demographic fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]