PremiseThe genusAntennariahas a complex evolutionary history due to dioecism, excessive polyploidy, and the evolution of polyploid agamic complexes. We developed microsatellite markers fromA. corymbosato investigate genetic diversity and population genetic structure inAntennariaspecies. Methods and ResultsTwenty‐four novel microsatellite markers (16 nuclear and eight chloroplast) were developed fromA. corymbosausing an enriched genomic library. Ten polymorphic nuclear markers were used to characterize genetic variation in five populations ofA. corymbosa. One to four alleles were found per locus, and the expected heterozygosity and fixation index ranged from 0.00 to 0.675 and −0.033 to 0.610, respectively. We were also able to successfully amplify these markers in five additionalAntennariaspecies. ConclusionsThese markers are promising tools to study the population genetics of sexualAntennariaspecies and to investigate interspecific gene flow, clonal diversity, and parentage ofAntennariapolyploid agamic complexes.
more »
« less
A novel synthesis of two decades of microsatellite studies on European beech reveals decreasing genetic diversity from glacial refugia
Abstract Genetic diversity influences the evolutionary potential of forest trees under changing environmental conditions, thus indirectly the ecosystem services that forests provide. European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) is a dominant European forest tree species that increasingly suffers from climate change-related die-back. Here, we conducted a systematic literature review of neutral genetic diversity in European beech and created a meta-data set of expected heterozygosity ( He ) from all past studies providing nuclear microsatellite data. We propose a novel approach, based on population genetic theory and a min–max scaling to make past studies comparable. Using a new microsatellite data set with unprecedented geographic coverage and various re-sampling schemes to mimic common sampling biases, we show the potential and limitations of the scaling approach. The scaled meta-dataset reveals the expected trend of decreasing genetic diversity from glacial refugia across the species range and also supports the hypothesis that different lineages met and admixed north of the European mountain ranges. As a result, we present a map of genetic diversity across the range of European beech which could help to identify seed source populations harboring greater diversity and guide sampling strategies for future genome-wide and functional investigations of genetic variation. Our approach illustrates how to combine information from several nuclear microsatellite data sets to describe patterns of genetic diversity extending beyond the geographic scale or mean number of loci used in each individual study, and thus is a proof-of-concept for synthesizing knowledge from existing studies also in other species.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 2021898
- PAR ID:
- 10399723
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Tree Genetics & Genomes
- Volume:
- 19
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1614-2942
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
Abstract AimPatterns of genetic diversity within species’ ranges can reveal important insights into effects of past climate on species’ biogeography and current population dynamics. While numerous biogeographic hypotheses have been proposed to explain patterns of genetic diversity within species’ ranges, formal comparisons and rigorous statistical tests of these hypotheses remain rare. Here, we compared seven hypotheses for their abilities to describe the geographic pattern of two metrics of genetic diversity in balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), a northern North American tree species. LocationNorth America. TaxonBalsam poplar (Populus balsamiferaL.). MethodsWe compared seven hypotheses, representing effects of past climate and current range position, for their ability to describe the geographic pattern of expected heterozygosity and per cent polymorphic loci across 85 populations of balsam poplar. We tested each hypothesis using spatial and non‐spatial least‐squares regression to assess the importance of spatial autocorrelation on model performance. ResultsWe found that both expected heterozygosity and per cent polymorphic loci could best be explained by the current range position and genetic structure of populations within the contemporary range. Genetic diversity showed a clear gradient of being highest near the geographic and climatic range centre and lowest near range edges. Hypotheses accounting for the effects of past climate (e.g. past climatic suitability, distance from the southern edge), in contrast, had comparatively little support. Model ranks were similar among spatial and non‐spatial models, but residuals of all non‐spatial models were significantly autocorrelated, violating the assumption of independence in least‐squares regression. Main conclusionsOur work adds strong support for the “Central‐Periphery Hypothesis” as providing a predictive framework for understanding the forces structuring genetic diversity across species’ ranges, and illustrates the value of applying a robust comparative model selection framework and accounting for spatial autocorrelation when comparing biogeographic models of genetic diversity.more » « less
-
Microsatellites have been a workhorse of evolutionary genetic studies for decades and are still commonly in use for estimating signatures of genetic diversity at the population and species level across a multitude of taxa. Yet, the very high mutation rate of these loci is a double-edged sword, conferring great sensitivity at shallow levels of analysis (e.g. paternity analysis) but yielding considerable uncertainty for deeper evolutionary comparisons. For the present study, we used reduced representation genome-wide data (restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq)) to test for patterns of interspecific hybridization previously characterized using microsatellite data in a contact zone between two closely related mouse lemur species in Madagascar (Microcebus murinusandMicrocebus griseorufus). We revisit this system by examining populations in, near, and far from the contact zone, including many of the same individuals that had previously been identified as hybrids with microsatellite data. Surprisingly, we find no evidence for admixed nuclear ancestry. Instead, re-analyses of microsatellite data and simulations suggest that previously inferred hybrids were false positives and that the program NewHybridscan be particularly sensitive to erroneously inferring hybrid ancestry. Combined with results from coalescent-based analyses and evidence for local syntopic co-occurrence, we conclude that the two mouse lemur species are in fact completely reproductively isolated, thus providing a new understanding of the evolutionary rate whereby reproductive isolation can be achieved in a primate.more » « less
-
Abstract Global change is impacting biodiversity across all habitats on earth. New selection pressures from changing climatic conditions and other anthropogenic activities are creating heterogeneous ecological and evolutionary responses across many species' geographic ranges. Yet we currently lack standardised and reproducible tools to effectively predict the resulting patterns in species vulnerability to declines or range changes.We developed an informatic toolbox that integrates ecological, environmental and genomic data and analyses (environmental dissimilarity, species distribution models, landscape connectivity, neutral and adaptive genetic diversity, genotype‐environment associations and genomic offset) to estimate population vulnerability. In our toolbox, functions and data structures are coded in a standardised way so that it is applicable to any species or geographic region where appropriate data are available, for example individual or population sampling and genomic datasets (e.g. RAD‐seq, ddRAD‐seq, whole genome sequencing data) representing environmental variation across the species geographic range.To demonstrate multi‐species applicability, we apply our toolbox to three georeferenced genomic datasets for co‐occurring East African spiny reed frogs (Afrixalus fornasini, A. delicatusandA. sylvaticus) to predict their population vulnerability, as well as demonstrating that range loss projections based on adaptive variation can be accurately reproduced from a previous study using data for two European bat species (Myotis escaleraiandM. crypticus).Our framework sets the stage for large scale, multi‐species genomic datasets to be leveraged in a novel climate change vulnerability framework to quantify intraspecific differences in genetic diversity, local adaptation, range shifts and population vulnerability based on exposure, sensitivity and landscape barriers.more » « less
-
Abstract The paradigm of past climate-driven range shifts structuring the distribution of marine intraspecific biodiversity lacks replication in biological models exposed to comparable limiting conditions in independent regions. This may lead to confounding effects unlinked to climate drivers. We aim to fill in this gap by asking whether the global distribution of intraspecific biodiversity of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is explained by past climate changes occurring across the two hemispheres. We compared the species’ population genetic diversity and structure inferred with microsatellite markers, with range shifts and long-term refugial regions predicted with species distribution modelling (SDM) from the last glacial maximum (LGM) to the present. The broad antitropical distribution ofMacrocystis pyriferais composed by six significantly differentiated genetic groups, for which current genetic diversity levels match the expectations of past climate changes. Range shifts from the LGM to the present structured low latitude refugial regions where genetic relics with higher and unique diversity were found (particularly in the Channel Islands of California and in Peru), while post-glacial expansions following ~ 40% range contraction explained extensive regions with homogenous reduced diversity. The estimated effect of past climate-driven range shifts was comparable between hemispheres, largely demonstrating that the distribution of intraspecific marine biodiversity can be structured by comparable evolutionary forces across the global ocean. Additionally, the differentiation and endemicity of regional genetic groups, confers high conservation value to these localized intraspecific biodiversity hotspots of giant kelp forests.more » « less
An official website of the United States government

