| 1. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(författare)
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The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
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Ingår i: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Camus, M. Florencia, et al.
(författare)
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Single Nucleotides in the mtDNA Sequence Modify Mitochondrial Molecular Function and Are Associated with Sex-Specific Effects on Fertility and Aging
- 2015
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Ingår i: Current Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0960-9822 .- 1879-0445. ; 25:20, s. 2717-2722
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mitochondria underpin energy conversion in eukaryotes. Their small genomes have been the subject of increasing attention, and there is evidence that mitochondrial genetic variation can affect evolutionary trajectories and shape the expression of life-history traits considered to be key human health indicators [1, 2]. However, it is not understood how genetic variation across a diminutive genome, which in most species harbors only about a dozen protein-coding genes, can exert broad-scale effects on the organisnnal phenotype [2, 3]. Such effects are particularly puzzling given that the mitochondrial genes involved are under strong evolutionary constraint and that mitochondrial gene expression is highly conserved across diverse taxa [4]. We used replicated genetic lines in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, each characterized by a distinct and naturally occurring mitochondrial haplotype placed alongside an isogenic nuclear background. We demonstrate that sequence variation within the mitochondria! DNA (mtDNA) affects both the copy number of mitochondrial genomes and patterns of gene expression across key mitochondrial protein-coding genes. In several cases, haplotype-mediated patterns of gene expression were gene-specific, even for genes from within the same transcriptional units. This invokes post-transcriptional processing of RNA in the regulation of mitochondrial genetic effects on organismal phenotypes. Notably, the haplotype-mediated effects on gene expression could be traced backward to the level of individual nucleotides and forward to sex-specific effects on fertility and longevity. Our study thus elucidates how small-scale sequence changes in the mitochondrial genome can achieve broad-scale regulation of health-related phenotypes and even contribute to sex-related differences in longevity.
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| 4. |
- Dutoit, Ludovic, et al.
(författare)
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Covariation in levels of nucleotide diversity in homologous regions of the avian genome long after completion of lineage sorting
- 2017
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences. - : ROYAL SOC. - 0962-8452 .- 1471-2954. ; 284:1849
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Closely related species may show similar levels of genetic diversity in homologous regions of the genome owing to shared ancestral variation still segregating in the extant species. However, after completion of lineage sorting, such covariation is not necessarily expected. On the other hand, if the processes that govern genetic diversity are conserved, diversity may potentially covary even among distantly related species. We mapped regions of conserved synteny between the genomes of two divergent bird speciescollared flycatcher and hooded crow-and identified more than 600 Mb of homologous regions (66% of the genome). From analyses of whole-genome resequencing data in large population samples of both species we found nucleotide diversity in 200 kb windows to be well correlated (Spearman's rho = 0.407). The correlation remained highly similar after excluding coding sequences. To explain this covariation, we suggest that a stable avian karyotype and a conserved landscape of recombination rate variation render the diversity-reducing effects of linked selection similar in divergent bird lineages. Principal component regression analysis of several potential explanatory variables driving heterogeneity in flycatcher diversity levels revealed the strongest effects from recombination rate variation and density of coding sequence targets for selection, consistent with linked selection. It is also possible that a stable karyotype is associated with a conserved genomic mutation environment contributing to covariation in diversity levels between lineages. Our observations imply that genetic diversity is to some extent predictable.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Foote, Andrew D., et al.
(författare)
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Convergent evolution of the genomes of marine mammals
- 2015
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 47:3, s. 272-275
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Marine mammals from different mammalian orders share several phenotypic traits adapted to the aquatic environment and therefore represent a classic example of convergent evolution. To investigate convergent evolution at the genomic level, we sequenced and performed de novo assembly of the genomes of three species of marine mammals (the killer whale, walrus and manatee) from three mammalian orders that share independently evolved phenotypic adaptations to a marine existence. Our comparative genomic analyses found that convergent amino acid substitutions were widespread throughout the genome and that a subset of these substitutions were in genes evolving under positive selection and putatively associated with a marine phenotype. However, we found higher levels of convergent amino acid substitutions in a control set of terrestrial sister taxa to the marine mammals. Our results suggest that, whereas convergent molecular evolution is relatively common, adaptive molecular convergence linked to phenotypic convergence is comparatively rare.
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| 7. |
- Foote, Andrew D., et al.
(författare)
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Genome-culture coevolution promotes rapid divergence of killer whale ecotypes
- 2016
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Analysing population genomic data from killer whale ecotypes, which we estimate have globally radiated within less than 250,000 years, we show that genetic structuring including the segregation of potentially functional alleles is associated with socially inherited ecological niche. Reconstruction of ancestral demographic history revealed bottlenecks during founder events, likely promoting ecological divergence and genetic drift resulting in a wide range of genome-wide differentiation between pairs of allopatric and sympatric ecotypes. Functional enrichment analyses provided evidence for regional genomic divergence associated with habitat, dietary preferences and post-zygotic reproductive isolation. Our findings are consistent with expansion of small founder groups into novel niches by an initial plastic behavioural response, perpetuated by social learning imposing an altered natural selection regime. The study constitutes an important step towards an understanding of the complex interaction between demographic history, culture, ecological adaptation and evolution at the genomic level.
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| 8. |
- Foote, Andrew D., et al.
(författare)
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Killer whale genomes reveal a complex history of recurrent admixture and vicariance
- 2019
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Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - : WILEY. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 28:14, s. 3427-3444
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Reconstruction of the demographic and evolutionary history of populations assuming a consensus tree-like relationship can mask more complex scenarios, which are prevalent in nature. An emerging genomic toolset, which has been most comprehensively harnessed in the reconstruction of human evolutionary history, enables molecular ecologists to elucidate complex population histories. Killer whales have limited extrinsic barriers to dispersal and have radiated globally, and are therefore a good candidate model for the application of such tools. Here, we analyse a global data set of killer whale genomes in a rare attempt to elucidate global population structure in a nonhuman species. We identify a pattern of genetic homogenisation at lower latitudes and the greatest differentiation at high latitudes, even between currently sympatric lineages. The processes underlying the major axis of structure include high drift at the edge of species' range, likely associated with founder effects and allelic surfing during postglacial range expansion. Divergence between Antarctic and non-Antarctic lineages is further driven by ancestry segments with up to fourfold older coalescence time than the genome-wide average; relicts of a previous vicariance during an earlier glacial cycle. Our study further underpins that episodic gene flow is ubiquitous in natural populations, and can occur across great distances and after substantial periods of isolation between populations. Thus, understanding the evolutionary history of a species requires comprehensive geographic sampling and genome-wide data to sample the variation in ancestry within individuals.
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| 9. |
- Grosser, Stefanie, et al.
(författare)
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Fur seal microbiota are shaped by the social and physical environment, show mother-offspring similarities and are associated with host genetic quality
- 2019
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Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 28:9, s. 2406-2422
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite an increasing appreciation of the importance of host-microbe interactions in ecological and evolutionary processes, the factors shaping microbial communities in wild populations remain poorly understood. We therefore exploited a natural experiment provided by two adjacent Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) colonies of high and low social density and combined 16S rRNA metabarcoding with microsatellite profiling of mother-offspring pairs to investigate environmental and genetic influences on skin microbial communities. Seal-associated bacterial communities differed profoundly between the two colonies, despite the host populations themselves being genetically undifferentiated. Consistent with the hypothesis that social stress depresses bacterial diversity, we found that microbial alpha diversity was significantly lower in the high-density colony. Seals from one of the colonies that contained a stream also carried a subset of freshwater-associated bacteria, indicative of an influence of the physical environment. Furthermore, mothers and their offspring shared similar microbial communities, in support of the notion that microbes may facilitate mother-offspring recognition. Finally, a significant negative association was found between bacterial diversity and heterozygosity, a measure of host genetic quality. Our study thus reveals a complex interplay between environmental and host genetic effects, while also providing empirical support for the leash model of host control, which posits that bacterial communities are driven not only by bottom-up species interactions, but also by top-down host regulation. Taken together, our findings have broad implications for understanding host-microbe interactions as well as prokaryotic diversity in general.
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| 10. |
- Holtmann, Benedikt, et al.
(författare)
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Dominance relationships and coalitionary aggression against conspecifics in female carrion crows
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cooperation is a prevailing feature of many animal systems. Coalitionary aggression, where a group of individuals engages in coordinated behaviour to the detriment of conspecific targets, is a form of cooperation involving complex social interactions. To date, evidence has been dominated by studies in humans and other primates with a clear bias towards studies of male-male coalitions. We here characterize coalitionary aggression behaviour in a group of female carrion crows consisting of recruitment, coordinated chase, and attack. The individual of highest social rank liaised with the second most dominant individual to engage in coordinated chase and attack of a lower ranked crow on several occasions. Despite active intervention by the third most highly ranked individual opposing the offenders, the attack finally resulted in the death of the victim. All individuals were unrelated, of the same sex, and naive to the behaviour excluding kinship, reproduction, and social learning as possible drivers. Instead, the coalition may reflect a strategy of the dominant individual to secure long-term social benefits. Overall, the study provides evidence that members of the crow family engage in coordinated alliances directed against conspecifics as a possible means to manipulate their social environment.
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| 11. |
- Hooper, Rebecca, et al.
(författare)
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Host-derived population genomics data provides insights into bacterial and diatom composition of the killer whale skin
- 2019
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Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 28:2, s. 484-502
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent exploration into the interactions and relationship between hosts and their microbiota has revealed a connection between many aspects of the host's biology, health and associated micro-organisms. Whereas amplicon sequencing has traditionally been used to characterize the microbiome, the increasing number of published population genomics data sets offers an underexploited opportunity to study microbial profiles from the host shotgun sequencing data. Here, we use sequence data originally generated from killer whale Orcinus orca skin biopsies for population genomics, to characterize the skin microbiome and investigate how host social and geographical factors influence the microbial community composition. Having identified 845 microbial taxa from 2.4 million reads that did not map to the killer whale reference genome, we found that both ecotypic and geographical factors influence community composition of killer whale skin microbiomes. Furthermore, we uncovered key taxa that drive the microbiome community composition and showed that they are embedded in unique networks, one of which is tentatively linked to diatom presence and poor skin condition. Community composition differed between Antarctic killer whales with and without diatom coverage, suggesting that the previously reported episodic migrations of Antarctic killer whales to warmer waters associated with skin turnover may control the effects of potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Tenacibaculum dicentrarchi. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of microbiome studies from host shotgun sequencing data and highlights the importance of metagenomics in understanding the relationship between host and microbial ecology.
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| 12. |
- Humble, E., et al.
(författare)
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A draft fur seal genome provides insights into factors affecting SNP validation and how to mitigate them
- 2016
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Ingår i: Molecular Ecology Resources. - : Wiley. - 1755-098X .- 1755-0998. ; 16:4, s. 909-921
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Custom genotyping arrays provide a flexible and accurate means of genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a large number of individuals of essentially any organism. However, validation rates, defined as the proportion of putative SNPs that are verified to be polymorphic in a population, are often very low. A number of potential causes of assay failure have been identified, but none have been explored systematically. In particular, as SNPs are often developed from transcriptomes, parameters relating to the genomic context are rarely taken into account. Here, we assembled a draft Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) genome (assembly size: 2.41 Gb; scaffold/contig N-50: 3.1 Mb/27.5 kb). We then used this resource to map the probe sequences of 144 putative SNPs genotyped in 480 individuals. The number of probe-to-genome mappings and alignment length together explained almost a third of the variation in validation success, indicating that sequence uniqueness and proximity to intron-exon boundaries play an important role. The same pattern was found after mapping the probe sequences to the Walrus and Weddell seal genomes, suggesting that the genomes of species divergent by as much as 23 million years can hold information relevant to SNP validation outcomes. Additionally, reanalysis of genotyping data from seven previous studies found the same two variables to be significantly associated with SNP validation success across a variety of taxa. Finally, our study reveals considerable scope for validation rates to be improved, either by simply filtering for SNPs whose flanking sequences align uniquely and completely to a reference genome, or through predictive modelling.
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| 13. |
- Humble, Emily, et al.
(författare)
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RAD Sequencing and a Hybrid Antarctic Fur Seal Genome Assembly Reveal Rapidly Decaying Linkage Disequilibrium, Global Population Structure and Evidence for Inbreeding
- 2018
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Ingår i: G3. - : GENETICS SOCIETY AMERICA. - 2160-1836. ; 8:8, s. 2709-2722
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent advances in high throughput sequencing have transformed the study of wild organisms by facilitating the generation of high quality genome assemblies and dense genetic marker datasets. These resources have the potential to significantly advance our understanding of diverse phenomena at the level of species, populations and individuals, ranging from patterns of synteny through rates of linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay and population structure to individual inbreeding. Consequently, we used PacBio sequencing to refine an existing Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) genome assembly and genotyped 83 individuals from six populations using restriction site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing. The resulting hybrid genome comprised 6,169 scaffolds with an N50 of 6.21 Mb and provided clear evidence for the conservation of large chromosomal segments between the fur seal and dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Focusing on the most extensively sampled population of South Georgia, we found that LD decayed rapidly, reaching the background level by around 400 kb, consistent with other vertebrates but at odds with the notion that fur seals experienced a strong historical bottleneck. We also found evidence for population structuring, with four main Antarctic island groups being resolved. Finally, appreciable variance in individual inbreeding could be detected, reflecting the strong polygyny and site fidelity of the species. Overall, our study contributes important resources for future genomic studies of fur seals and other pinnipeds while also providing a clear example of how high throughput sequencing can generate diverse biological insights at multiple levels of organization.
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| 14. |
- Huyghe, Jeroen R., et al.
(författare)
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Discovery of common and rare genetic risk variants for colorectal cancer
- 2019
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 51:1, s. 76-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To further dissect the genetic architecture of colorectal cancer (CRC), we performed whole-genome sequencing of 1,439 cases and 720 controls, imputed discovered sequence variants and Haplotype Reference Consortium panel variants into genome-wide association study data, and tested for association in 34,869 cases and 29,051 controls. Findings were followed up in an additional 23,262 cases and 38,296 controls. We discovered a strongly protective 0.3% frequency variant signal at CHD1. In a combined meta-analysis of 125,478 individuals, we identified 40 new independent signals at P < 5 x 10(-8), bringing the number of known independent signals for CRC to similar to 100. New signals implicate lower-frequency variants, Kruppel-like factors, Hedgehog signaling, Hippo-YAP signaling, long noncoding RNAs and somatic drivers, and support a role for immune function. Heritability analyses suggest that CRC risk is highly polygenic, and larger, more comprehensive studies enabling rare variant analysis will improve understanding of biology underlying this risk and influence personalized screening strategies and drug development.
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| 15. |
- Jeglinski, Jana W. E., et al.
(författare)
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Differences in foraging ecology align with genetically divergent ecotypes of a highly mobile marine top predator
- 2015
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Ingår i: Oecologia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0029-8549 .- 1432-1939. ; 179:4, s. 1041-1052
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Foraging differentiation within a species can contribute to restricted gene flow between ecologically different groups, promoting ecological speciation. Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) show genetic and morphological divergence between the western and central archipelago, possibly as a result of an ecologically mediated contrast in the marine habitat. We use global positioning system (GPS) data, time-depth recordings (TDR), stable isotope and scat data to compare foraging habitat characteristics, diving behaviour and diet composition of Galapagos sea lions from a western and a central colony. We consider both juvenile and adult life stages to assess the potential role of ontogenetic shifts that can be crucial in shaping foraging behaviour and habitat choice for life. We found differences in foraging habitat use, foraging style and diet composition that aligned with genetic differentiation. These differences were consistent between juvenile and adult sea lions from the same colony, overriding age-specific behavioural differences. Our study contributes to an understanding of the complex interaction of ecological condition, plastic behavioural response and genetic make-up of interconnected populations.
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| 16. |
- Knief, Ulrich, et al.
(författare)
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Epistatic mutations under divergent selection govern phenotypic variation in the crow hybrid zone
- 2019
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Ingår i: Nature Ecology & Evolution. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2397-334X. ; 3:4, s. 570-576
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The evolution of genetic barriers opposing interspecific gene flow is key to the origin of new species. Drawing from information on over 400 admixed genomes sourced from replicate transects across the European hybrid zone between all-black carrion crows and grey-coated hooded crows, we decipher the interplay between phenotypic divergence and selection at the molecular level. Over 68% of plumage variation was explained by epistasis between the gene NDP and a similar to 2.8-megabase region on chromosome 18 with suppressed recombination. Both pigmentation loci showed evidence for divergent selection resisting introgression. This study reveals how few, large-effect loci can govern prezygotic isolation and shield phenotypic divergence from gene flow.
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| 17. |
- Lopes, Fernando, et al.
(författare)
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Fine-scale matrilineal population structure in the Galapagos fur seal and its implications for conservation management
- 2015
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Ingår i: Conservation Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1566-0621 .- 1572-9737. ; 16:5, s. 1099-1113
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Females of many pinniped species generally exhibit strong fine-scale philopatry, but it is unclear over what spatial scale this behavior may translate into genetic population structure. We conducted a population genetic survey in the Galapagos fur seal, Arctocephalus galapagoensis, an endangered pinniped endemic to a small geographic range in the northwest of the Galapagos archipelago. To assess patterns of genetic diversity levels and population differentiation, we analyzed part of the mitochondrial control region (mtDNA) and 18 microsatellites DNA markers. We detected similar levels of genetic diversity to many other pinniped species (h = 0.86, pi = 0.012, A = 7.44) despite severe anthropogenic exploitation in the nineteenth century and recurrent population crashes due to recent climatic perturbations associated with El Nio Southern Oscillation events. We further found remarkably strong fine-scale matrilineal population structure, with 33.9 % of the mtDNA variation being partitioned among colonies separated by as little as 70 km swimming distance. In contrast, population structure inferred from nuclear markers was weak. Our findings provide further evidence that natal philopatry can translate into fine-scale genetic population structure in highly mobile species. We discuss the relevance of our results for the fine-scale conservation management of this species with a very restricted geographic range.
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| 18. |
- Naumova, M., et al.
(författare)
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Structural dynamics upon photoexcitation-induced charge transfer in a dicopper(i)-disulfide complex
- 2018
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Ingår i: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1463-9084 .- 1463-9076. ; 20:9, s. 6274-6286
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The structural dynamics of charge-transfer states of nitrogen-ligated copper complexes has been extensively investigated in recent years following the development of pump-probe X-ray techniques. In this study we extend this approach towards copper complexes with sulfur coordination and investigate the influence of charge transfer states on the structure of a dicopper(i) complex with coordination by bridging disulfide ligands and additionally tetramethylguanidine units [Cu I 2 (NSSN) 2 ] 2+ . In order to directly observe and refine the photoinduced structural changes in the solvated complex we applied picosecond pump-probe X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). Additionally, the ultrafast evolution of the electronic excited states was monitored by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in the UV-Vis probe range. DFT calculations were used to predict molecular geometries and electronic structures of the ground and metal-to-ligand charge transfer states with singlet and triplet spin multiplicities, i.e. S 0 , 1 MLCT and 3 MLCT, respectively. Combining these techniques we elucidate the electronic and structural dynamics of the solvated complex upon photoexcitation to the MLCT states. In particular, femtosecond optical transient spectroscopy reveals three distinct timescales of 650 fs, 10 ps and > 100 ps, which were assigned as internal conversion to the ground state (S n → S 0 ), intersystem crossing 1 MLCT → 3 MLCT, and subsequent relaxation of the triplet to the ground state, respectively. Experimental data collected using both X-ray techniques are in agreement with the DFT-predicted structure for the triplet state, where coordination bond lengths change and one of the S-S bridges is cleaved, causing the movement of two halves of the molecule relative to each other. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy resolves changes in Cu-ligand bond lengths with precision on the order of 0.01 Å, whereas WAXS is sensitive to changes in the global shape related to relative movement of parts of the molecule. The results presented herein widen the knowledge on the electronic and structural dynamics of photoexcited copper-sulfur complexes and demonstrate the potential of combining the pump-probe X-ray absorption and scattering for studies on photoinduced structural dynamics in copper-based coordination complexes.
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| 19. |
- Nieuwenhuis, Bart P. S., et al.
(författare)
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Repeated evolution of self-compatibility for reproductive assurance
- 2018
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sexual reproduction in eukaryotes requires the fusion of two compatible gametes of opposite sexes or mating types. To meet the challenge of finding a mating partner with compatible gametes, evolutionary mechanisms such as hermaphroditism and self-fertilization have repeatedly evolved. Here, by combining the insights from comparative genomics, computer simulations and experimental evolution in fission yeast, we shed light on the conditions promoting separate mating types or self-compatibility by mating-type switching. Analogous to multiple independent transitions between switchers and non-switchers in natural populations mediated by structural genomic changes, novel switching genotypes readily evolved under selection in the experimental populations. Detailed fitness measurements accompanied by computer simulations show the benefits and costs of switching during sexual and asexual reproduction, governing the occurrence of both strategies in nature. Our findings illuminate the trade-off between the benefits of reproductive assurance and its fitness costs under benign conditions facilitating the evolution of self-compatibility.
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| 20. |
- Poelstra, Jelmer W., et al.
(författare)
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Transcriptomics of colour patterning and coloration shifts in crows
- 2015
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Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 24:18, s. 4617-4628
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Animal coloration is one of the most conspicuous phenotypic traits in natural populations and has important implications for adaptation and speciation. Changes in coloration can occur over surprisingly short evolutionary timescales, while recurrence of similar colour patterns across large phylogenetic distances is also common. Even though the genetic basis of pigment production is well understood, little is known about the mechanisms regulating colour patterning. In this study, we shed light on the molecular elements regulating regional pigment production in two genetically near-identical crow taxa with striking differences in a eumelanin-based phenotype: black carrion and grey-coated hooded crows. We produced a high-quality genome annotation and analysed transcriptome data from a 2 3 2 design of active melanogenic feather follicles from head (black in both taxa) and torso (black in carrion and grey in hooded crow). Extensive, parallel expression differences between body regions in both taxa, enriched for melanogenesis genes (e.g. ASIP, CORIN, and ALDH6), indicated the presence of cryptic prepatterning also in all-black carrion crows. Meanwhile, colour-specific expression (grey vs. black) was limited to a small number of melanogenesis genes in close association with the central transcription factor MITF (most notably HPGDS, NDP and RASGRF1). We conclude that colour pattern differences between the taxa likely result from an interaction between divergence in upstream elements of the melanogenesis pathway and genes that provide an underlying prepattern across the body through positional information. A model of evolutionary stable prepatterns that can be exposed and masked through simple regulatory changes may explain the phylogenetically independent recurrence of colour patterns that is observed across corvids and many other vertebrate groups.
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| 21. |
- Shafer, Aaron B. A., et al.
(författare)
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Bioinformatic processing of RAD-seq data dramatically impacts downstream population genetic inference
- 2017
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Ingår i: Methods in Ecology and Evolution. - 2041-210X. ; 8:8, s. 907-917
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 1. Restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) provides high-resolution population genomic data at low cost, and has become an important component in ecological and evolutionary studies. As with all high-throughput technologies, analytic strategies require critical validation to ensure precise and unbiased interpretation. 2. To test the impact of bioinformatic data processing on downstream population genetic inferences, we analysed mammalian RAD-seq data (>100 individuals) with 312 combinations of methodology (de novo vs. mapping to references of increasing divergence) and filtering criteria (missing data, HWE, F-IS, coverage, mapping and genotype quality). In an effort to identify commonalities and biases in all pipelines, we computed summary statistics (nr. loci, nr. SNP, pi, Het(obs), F-IS, F-ST, N-e and m) and compared the results to independent null expectations (isolation-by-distance correlation, expected transition-to-transversion ratio T-s/T-v and Mendelian mismatch rates of known parent-offspring trios). 3. We observed large differences between reference-based and de novo approaches, the former generally calling more SNPs and reducing F-IS and T-s/T-v. Data completion levels showed little impact on most summary statistics, and FST estimates were robust across all pipelines. The site frequency spectrum was highly sensitive to the chosen approach as reflected in large variance of parameter estimates across demographic scenarios (single-population bottlenecks and isolation-with-migration model). Null expectations were best met by reference-based approaches, although contingent on the specific criteria. 4. We recommend that RAD-seq studies employ reference-based approaches to a closely related genome, and due to the high stochasticity associated with the pipeline advocate the use of multiple pipelines to ensure robust population genetic and demographic inferences.
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| 22. |
- Shafer, Aaron B. A., et al.
(författare)
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Demographic inferences using short-read genomic data in an approximate Bayesian computation framework : in silico evaluation of power, biases and proof of concept in Atlantic walrus
- 2015
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Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 24:2, s. 328-345
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is a powerful tool for model-based inference of demographic histories from large genetic data sets. For most organisms, its implementation has been hampered by the lack of sufficient genetic data. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) provides cheap genome-scale data to fill this gap, but its potential has not fully been exploited. Here, we explored power, precision and biases of a coalescent-based ABC approach where GBS data were modelled with either a population mutation parameter () or a fixed site (FS) approach, allowing single or several segregating sites per locus. With simulated data ranging from 500 to 50000 loci, a variety of demographic models could be reliably inferred across a range of timescales and migration scenarios. Posterior estimates were informative with 1000 loci for migration and split time in simple population divergence models. In more complex models, posterior distributions were wide and almost reverted to the uninformative prior even with 50000 loci. ABC parameter estimates, however, were generally more accurate than an alternative composite-likelihood method. Bottleneck scenarios proved particularly difficult, and only recent bottlenecks without recovery could be reliably detected and dated. Notably, minor-allele-frequency filters - usual practice for GBS data - negatively affected nearly all estimates. With this in mind, we used a combination of FS and approaches on empirical GBS data generated from the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), collectively providing support for a population split before the last glacial maximum followed by asymmetrical migration and a high Arctic bottleneck. Overall, this study evaluates the potential and limitations of GBS data in an ABC-coalescence framework and proposes a best-practice approach.
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| 23. |
- Shafer, Aaron B. A., et al.
(författare)
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Forecasting Ecological Genomics : High-Tech Animal Instrumentation Meets High-Throughput Sequencing
- 2016
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Ingår i: PLoS biology. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1544-9173 .- 1545-7885. ; 14:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent advancements in animal tracking technology and high-throughput sequencing are rapidly changing the questions and scope of research in the biological sciences. The integration of genomic data with high-tech animal instrumentation comes as a natural progression of traditional work in ecological genetics, and we provide a framework for linking the separate data streams from these technologies. Such a merger will elucidate the genetic basis of adaptive behaviors like migration and hibernation and advance our understanding of fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes such as pathogen transmission, population responses to environmental change, and communication in natural populations.
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| 24. |
- Shafer, Aaron B. A., et al.
(författare)
-
Genomics and the challenging translation into conservation practice
- 2015
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Ingår i: Trends in Ecology & Evolution. - : Elsevier. - 0169-5347 .- 1872-8383. ; 30:2, s. 78-87
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The global loss of biodiversity continues at an alarming rate. Genomic approaches have been suggested as a promising tool for conservation practice as scaling up to genome-wide data can improve traditional conservation genetic inferences and provide qualitatively novel insights. However, the generation of genomic data and subsequent analyses and interpretations remain challenging and largely confined to academic research in ecology and evolution. This generates a gap between basic research and applicable solutions for conservation managers faced with multifaceted problems. Before the real-world conservation potential of genomic research can be realized, we suggest that current infrastructures need to be modified, methods must mature, analytical pipelines need to be developed, and successful case studies must be disseminated to practitioners.
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Shafer, Aaron B A, et al.
(författare)
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Reply to Garner et al
- 2016
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Ingår i: Trends in Ecology & Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-5347 .- 1872-8383. ; 31:2, s. 83-84
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 27. |
- Stoffel, M. A., et al.
(författare)
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Demographic histories and genetic diversity across pinnipeds are shaped by human exploitation, ecology and life-history
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2041-1723. ; 9
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A central paradigm in conservation biology is that population bottlenecks reduce genetic diversity and population viability. In an era of biodiversity loss and climate change, understanding the determinants and consequences of bottlenecks is therefore an important challenge. However, as most studies focus on single species, the multitude of potential drivers and the consequences of bottlenecks remain elusive. Here, we combined genetic data from over 11,000 individuals of 30 pinniped species with demographic, ecological and life history data to evaluate the consequences of commercial exploitation by 18th and 19th century sealers. We show that around one third of these species exhibit strong signatures of recent population declines. Bottleneck strength is associated with breeding habitat and mating system variation, and together with global abundance explains much of the variation in genetic diversity across species. Overall, bottleneck intensity is unrelated to IUCN status, although the three most heavily bottlenecked species are endangered. Our study reveals an unforeseen interplay between human exploitation, animal biology, demographic declines and genetic diversity.
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| 28. |
- Tao, Yu-Tian, et al.
(författare)
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Intraspecific diversity of fission yeast mitochondrial genomes
- 2019
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Ingår i: Genome Biology and Evolution. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1759-6653. ; 11:8, s. 2312-2329
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is an important model organism, but its natural diversity and evolutionary history remain under-studied. In particular, the population genomics of the S. pombe mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we assembled the complete circular-mapping mitogenomes of 192 S. pombe isolates de novo, and found that these mitogenomes belong to 69 nonidentical sequence types ranging from 17,618 to 26,910 bp in length. Using the assembled mitogenomes, we identified 20 errors in the reference mitogenome and discovered two previously unknown mitochondrial introns. Analyzing sequence diversity of these 69 types of mitogenomes revealed two highly distinct clades, with only three mitogenomes exhibiting signs of inter-clade recombination. This diversity pattern suggests that currently available S. pombe isolates descend from two long-separated ancestral lineages. This conclusion is corroborated by the diversity pattern of the recombination-repressed K-region located between donor mating-type loci mat2 and mat3 in the nuclear genome. We estimated that the two ancestral S. pombe lineages diverged about 31 million generations ago. These findings shed new light on the evolution of S. pombe and the data sets generated in this study will facilitate future research on genome evolution.
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| 29. |
- Timofeeva, Maria N, et al.
(författare)
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Recurrent Coding Sequence Variation Explains Only A Small Fraction of the Genetic Architecture of Colorectal Cancer.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Whilst common genetic variation in many non-coding genomic regulatory regions are known to impart risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), much of the heritability of CRC remains unexplained. To examine the role of recurrent coding sequence variation in CRC aetiology, we genotyped 12,638 CRCs cases and 29,045 controls from six European populations. Single-variant analysis identified a coding variant (rs3184504) in SH2B3 (12q24) associated with CRC risk (OR = 1.08, P = 3.9 × 10(-7)), and novel damaging coding variants in 3 genes previously tagged by GWAS efforts; rs16888728 (8q24) in UTP23 (OR = 1.15, P = 1.4 × 10(-7)); rs6580742 and rs12303082 (12q13) in FAM186A (OR = 1.11, P = 1.2 × 10(-7) and OR = 1.09, P = 7.4 × 10(-8)); rs1129406 (12q13) in ATF1 (OR = 1.11, P = 8.3 × 10(-9)), all reaching exome-wide significance levels. Gene based tests identified associations between CRC and PCDHGA genes (P < 2.90 × 10(-6)). We found an excess of rare, damaging variants in base-excision (P = 2.4 × 10(-4)) and DNA mismatch repair genes (P = 6.1 × 10(-4)) consistent with a recessive mode of inheritance. This study comprehensively explores the contribution of coding sequence variation to CRC risk, identifying associations with coding variation in 4 genes and PCDHG gene cluster and several candidate recessive alleles. However, these findings suggest that recurrent, low-frequency coding variants account for a minority of the unexplained heritability of CRC.
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| 30. |
- Trillmich, Fritz, et al.
(författare)
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On the Challenge of Interpreting Census Data : Insights from a Study of an Endangered Pinniped
- 2016
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Population monitoring is vital for conservation and management. However, simple counts of animals can be misleading and this problem is exacerbated in seals (pinnipeds) where individuals spend much time foraging away from colonies. We analyzed a 13-year-series of census data of Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) from the colony of Caamano, an islet in the center of the Galapagos archipelago where a large proportion of animals was individually marked. Based on regular resighting efforts during the cold, reproductive (cold-R; August to January) and the warm, non-reproductive (warm-nR; February to May) season, we document changes in numbers for different sex and age classes. During the cold-R season the number of adults increased as the number of newborn pups increased. Numbers were larger in themorning and evening than around mid-day and not significantly influenced by tide levels. More adults frequented the colony during the warm-nR season than the cold-R season. Raw counts suggested a decline in numbers over the 13 years, but Lincoln-Petersen (LP-) estimates (assuming a closed population) did not support that conclusion. Raw counts and LP estimates were not significantly correlated, demonstrating the overwhelming importance of variability in attendance patterns of individuals. The probability of observing a given adult in the colony varied between 16%(mean for cold-R season) and 23%(warm-nR season) and may be much less for independent 2 to 4 year olds. Dependent juveniles (up to the age of about 2 years) are observed much more frequently ashore (35% during the cold-R and 50% during the warm-nR seasons). Simple counts underestimate real population size by a factor of 4-6 and may lead to erroneous conclusions about trends in population size.
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| 31. |
- Tusso Gomez, Sergio Ivan
(författare)
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Adaptive divergence in fission yeast : From experimental evolution to evolutionary genomics
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- How adaptation and population differentiation occur is fundamental to understand the origin of biodiversity. Work in speciation alongside the increased ease of generating genomic data have allowed the exploration of genomic changes relevant to adaptation. However, it remains challenging to infer the underlying mechanisms from genomic patterns of divergence governed by both genomic properties and external selective pressures. The chronological order of genomic changes, evolutionary history and selective forces can rarely be inferred from natural populations.Currently, I see two promising ways to tackle the problem of the genomic underpinnings of divergence: (1) evolution experiments simulating adaptation and population divergence and measuring genomic changes as they occur through time; (2) empirical studies of closely related populations in which the extent of divergence varies, allowing us to infer the chronology of the genomic changes. In my Ph.D. research I applied these two approaches, using the fungus Schizosaccharomyces pombe. First, I experimentally tested the potential for ecological divergence with gene flow, and investigated genomic and phenotypic changes associated with this process. Next, I studied genomic data obtained from natural populations sampled worldwide. In both cases, the genetic inference relied on different sequencing technologies including the Illumina, Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore platforms.The experiment explored the effect of gene flow on phenotype and fitness, and uncovered potential molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive divergence. In paper I we demonstrate the emergence of specialisation under low gene flow, but generalist strategies when gene flow was high. Evolved phenotypes were largely influenced by standing genetic variation subject to opposite antagonistic pleiotropy complemented by new mutations enriched in a subset of genes. In paper II, we show that the experimental selective regime also had an effect on mating strategies, result of temporal ecological heterogeneity and selection for mating efficiency. We found that the evolution of mating strategies was explained by a trade-off between mating efficiency and asexual growth rate dependent on environmental stability. Papers III and IV consider the role of gene flow in natural populations. In paper III, we provide evidence that gene flow also played a predominant role in adaptive divergence in nature. All strains resulted from recent hybridization between two ancestral groups manifested in large phenotypic variation and reproductive isolation.This demographic history of hybridization was confirmed in paper IV focusing on patterns of mitochondrial diversity, adding evidence for the geographic distribution of the ancestral populations and potential for horizontal gene transfer from a distant yeast clade.
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| 32. |
- Tusso, Sergio, et al.
(författare)
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Ancestral admixture is the main determinant of global biodiversity in fission yeast
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Molecular biology and evolution. - : Oxford University Press. - 0737-4038 .- 1537-1719. ; 36:9, s. 1975-1989
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mutation and recombination are key evolutionary processes governing phenotypic variation and reproductive isolation. We here demonstrate that biodiversity within all globally known strains of Schizosaccharomyces pombe arose through admixture between two divergent ancestral lineages. Initial hybridization was inferred to have occurred similar to 20-60 sexual outcrossing generations ago consistent with recent, human-induced migration at the onset of intensified transcontinental trade. Species-wide heritable phenotypic variation was explained near-exclusively by strain-specific arrangements of alternating ancestry components with evidence for transgressive segregation. Reproductive compatibility between strains was likewise predicted by the degree of shared ancestry. To assess the genetic determinants of ancestry block distribution across the genome, we characterized the type, frequency, and position of structural genomic variation using nanopore and single-molecule real-time sequencing. Despite being associated with double-strand break initiation points, over 800 segregating structural variants exerted overall little influence on the introgression landscape or on reproductive compatibility between strains. In contrast, we found strong ancestry disequilibrium consistent with negative epistatic selection shaping genomic ancestry combinations during the course of hybridization. This study provides a detailed, experimentally tractable example that genomes of natural populations are mosaics reflecting different evolutionary histories. Exploiting genome-wide heterogeneity in the history of ancestral recombination and lineage-specific mutations sheds new light on the population history of S. pombe and highlights the importance of hybridization as a creative force in generating biodiversity.
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| 33. |
- van Doormaal, Perry T. C., et al.
(författare)
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The role of de novo mutations in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- 2017
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Ingår i: Human Mutation. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1059-7794 .- 1098-1004. ; 38:11, s. 1534-1541
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The genetic basis combined with the sporadic occurrence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suggests a role of de novo mutations in disease pathogenesis. Previous studies provided some evidence for this hypothesis; however, results were conflicting: no genes with recurrent occurring de novo mutations were identified and different pathways were postulated. In this study, we analyzed whole-exome data from 82 new patient-parents trios and combined it with the datasets of all previously published ALS trios (173 trios in total). The per patient de novo rate was not higher than expected based on the general population (P = 0.40). We showed that these mutations are not part of the previously postulated pathways, and gene-gene interaction analysis found no enrichment of interacting genes in this group (P = 0.57). Also, we were able to show that the de novo mutations in ALS patients are located in genes already prone for de novo mutations (P < 1 x 10(-15)). Although the individual effect of rare de novo mutations in specific genes could not be assessed, our results indicate that, in contrast to previous hypothesis, de novo mutations in general do not impose a major burden on ALS risk.
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| 34. |
- Vijay, Nagarjun, et al.
(författare)
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Evolution of heterogeneous genome differentiation across multiple contact zones in a crow species complex
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Uncovering the genetic basis of species diversification is a central goal in evolutionary biology. Yet, the link between the accumulation of genomic changes during population divergence and the evolutionary forces promoting reproductive isolation is poorly understood. Here, we analysed 124 genomes of crow populations with various degrees of genome-wide differentiation, with parallelism of a sexually selected plumage phenotype, and ongoing hybridization. Overall, heterogeneity in genetic differentiation along the genome was best explained by linked selection exposed on a shared genome architecture. Superimposed on this common background, we identified genomic regions with signatures of selection specific to independent phenotypic contact zones. Candidate pigmentation genes with evidence for divergent selection were only partly shared, suggesting context-dependent selection on a multigenic trait architecture and parallelism by pathway rather than by repeated single-gene effects. This study provides insight into how various forms of selection shape genome-wide patterns of genomic differentiation as populations diverge.
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| 35. |
- Vijay, Nagarjun, et al.
(författare)
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Genomewide patterns of variation in genetic diversity are shared among populations, species and higher-order taxa
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - : WILEY. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 26:16, s. 4284-4295
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genomewide screens of genetic variation within and between populations can reveal signatures of selection implicated in adaptation and speciation. Genomic regions with low genetic diversity and elevated differentiation reflective of locally reduced effective population sizes (N-e) are candidates for barrier loci contributing to population divergence. Yet, such candidate genomic regions need not arise as a result of selection promoting adaptation or advancing reproductive isolation. Linked selection unrelated to lineage-specific adaptation or population divergence can generate comparable signatures. It is challenging to distinguish between these processes, particularly when diverging populations share ancestral genetic variation. In this study, we took a comparative approach using population assemblages from distant clades assessing genomic parallelism of variation in N-e. Utilizing population-level polymorphism data from 444 resequenced genomes of three avian clades spanning 50 million years of evolution, we tested whether population genetic summary statistics reflecting genomewide variation in N-e would covary among populations within clades, and importantly, also among clades where lineage sorting has been completed. All statistics including population-scaled recombination rate (rho), nucleotide diversity (pi) and measures of genetic differentiation between populations (F-ST, PBS, d(xy)) were significantly correlated across all phylogenetic distances. Moreover, genomic regions with elevated levels of genetic differentiation were associated with inferred pericentromeric and subtelomeric regions. The phylogenetic stability of diversity landscapes and stable association with genomic features support a role of linked selection not necessarily associated with adaptation and speciation in shaping patterns of genomewide heterogeneity in genetic diversity.
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| 36. |
- Vijay, Nagarjun
(författare)
-
Speciation genomics : A perspective from vertebrate systems
- 2016
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Species are vital entities in biology. Species are generally considered to be discrete entities, consisting of a group of (usually interbreeding) individuals that are similar in phenotype and genetic composition, yet differ in significant ways from other species. The study of speciation has focussed on understanding general evolutionary mechanisms involved in the accumulation of differences both at the genetic and phenotypic level. In this thesis, I investigate incipient speciation, an early stage of divergence towards evolutionary independence in closely related natural populations. I make ample use of recent advances in sequencing technology that allow 1) characterizing phenotypic divergence at the level of the transcriptome and 2) delineate patterns of genetic variation at genome-scale from which processes are inferred by using principles of population genetic theory.In the first paper, we assembled a draft genome of the hooded crow and investigated population differentiation across a famous European hybrid zone. Comparing sequence differentiation peaks between and within the colour morphs, we could identify regions of the genome that show differentiation only between colour morphs and that could be related to gene expression profiles of the melanogenesis pathway coding for colour differences.The second paper expands on the first paper in that it includes crow population samples from across the entire Palaearctic distribution spanning two additional zones of contact between colour morphs. The results suggest that regions associated with selection against gene flow between colour morphs were largely idiosyncratic to each contact zone and emerged against a background of conserved 'islands of differentiation' due to shared linked selection.The third paper focusses on five killer whale ecotypes with distinct feeding and habitat specific adaptations. Differing levels of sequence differentiation between these ecotypes places them along a speciation continuum and provides a unique temporal cross-section of the speciation process. Using genome scans we identified regions of the genome that show ecotype specific differentiation patterns which might contain candidate genes involved in adaptation.In the fourth and final paper, I assumed a comparative genomic perspective to the problem of heterogeneous genomic differentiation during population divergence. The relatively high correlations in the diversity landscapes as well as differentiation patterns between crow, flycatcher and Darwin's Finch populations is best explained by conservation in broad-scale recombination rate and/or association with telomeres and centromeres conducive to shared, linked selection.
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| 37. |
- von Roenn, J. A. C., et al.
(författare)
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Transcontinental migratory connectivity predicts parasite prevalence in breeding populations of the European barn swallow
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of evolutionary biology. - : Wiley. - 1420-9101 .- 1010-061X. ; 28:3, s. 535-546
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Parasites exert a major impact on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of their hosts and the associated biotic environment. Migration constitutes an effective means for long-distance invasions of vector-borne parasites and promotes their rapid spread. Yet, ecological and spatial information on population-specific host-parasite connectivity is essentially lacking. Here, we address this question in a system consisting of a transcontinental migrant species, the European barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) which serves as a vector for avian endoparasites in the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus andLeucocytozoon. Using feather stable isotope ratios as geographically informative markers, we first assessed migratory connectivity in the host: Northern European breeding populations predominantly overwintered in dry, savannah-like habitats in Southern Africa, whereas Southern European populations were associated with wetland habitats in Western Central Africa. Wintering areas of swallows breeding in Central Europe indicated a migratory divide with both migratory programmes occurring within the same breeding population. Subsequent genetic screens of parasites in the breeding populations revealed a link between the host's migratory programme and its parasitic repertoire: controlling for effects of local breeding location, prevalence of Africa-transmitted Plasmodium lineages was significantly higher in individuals overwintering in the moist habitats of Western Central Africa, even among sympatrically breeding individuals with different overwintering locations. For the rarer Haemoproteus parasites, prevalence was best explained by breeding location alone, whereas no clear pattern emerged for the least abundant parasite Leucocytozoon. These results have implications for our understanding of spatio-temporal host-parasite dynamics in migratory species and the spread of avian borne diseases.
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| 38. |
- von Rönn, Jan A. C., et al.
(författare)
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Disruptive selection without genome-wide evolution across a migratory divide
- 2016
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Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 25:11, s. 2529-2541
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transcontinental migration is a fascinating example of how animals can respond to climatic oscillation. Yet, quantitative data on fitness components are scarce, and the resulting population genetic consequences are poorly understood. Migratory divides, hybrid zones with a transition in migratory behaviour, provide a natural setting to investigate the micro-evolutionary dynamics induced by migration under sympatric conditions. Here, we studied the effects of migratory programme on survival, trait evolution and genome-wide patterns of population differentiation in a migratory divide of European barn swallows. We sampled a total of 824 individuals from both allopatric European populations wintering in central and southern Africa, respectively, along with two mixed populations from within the migratory divide. While most morphological characters varied by latitude consistent with Bergmann's rule, wing length co-varied with distance to wintering grounds. Survival data collected during a 5-year period provided strong evidence that this covariance is repeatedly generated by disruptive selection against intermediate phenotypes. Yet, selection-induced divergence did not translate into genome-wide genetic differentiation as assessed by microsatellites, mtDNA and >20 000 genome-wide SNP markers; nor did we find evidence of local genomic selection between migratory types. Among breeding populations, a single outlier locus mapped to the BUB1 gene with a role in mitotic and meiotic organization. Overall, this study provides evidence for an adaptive response to variation in migration behaviour continuously eroded by gene flow under current conditions of non-assortative mating. It supports the theoretical prediction that population differentiation is difficult to achieve under conditions of gene flow despite measurable disruptive selection.
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| 39. |
- Weissensteiner, Matthias H., et al.
(författare)
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Combination of short-read, long-read, and optical mapping assemblies reveals large-scale tandem repeat arrays with population genetic implications
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Genome Research. - : COLD SPRING HARBOR LAB PRESS, PUBLICATIONS DEPT. - 1088-9051 .- 1549-5469. ; 27:5, s. 697-708
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Accurate and contiguous genome assembly is key to a comprehensive understanding of the processes shaping genomic diversity and evolution. Yet, it is frequently constrained by constitutive heterochromatin, usually characterized by highly repetitive DNA. As a key feature of genome architecture associated with centromeric and subtelomeric regions, it locally influences meiotic recombination. In this study, we assess the impact of large tandem repeat arrays on the recombination rate landscape in an avian speciation model, the Eurasian crow. We assembled two high-quality genome references using single-molecule real-time sequencing (long-read assembly [LR]) and single-molecule optical maps (optical map assembly [ OM]). A three-way comparison including the published short-read assembly (SR) constructed for the same individual allowed assessing assembly properties and pinpointing misassemblies. By combining information from all three assemblies, we characterized 36 previously unidentified large repetitive regions in the proximity of sequence assembly breakpoints, the majority of which contained complex arrays of a 14-kb satellite repeat or its 1.2-kb subunit. Using whole-genome population resequencing data, we estimated the population-scaled recombination rate (rho) and found it to be significantly reduced in these regions. These findings are consistent with an effect of low recombination in regions adjacent to centromeric or subtelomeric heterochromatin and add to our understanding of the processes generating widespread heterogeneity in genetic diversity and differentiation along the genome. By combining three different technologies, our results highlight the importance of adding a layer of information on genome structure that is inaccessible to each approach independently.
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| 40. |
- Weissensteiner, Matthias H.
(författare)
-
Evolutionary genomics in Corvids : – From single nucleotides to structural variants
- 2019
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Heritable genetic variation is the raw material of evolution and can occur in many different forms, from altering single nucleotides to rearranging stretches of millions at once. DNA mutations that result in phenotypic differences are the basis upon which natural selection can act, leading to a shift of the frequency of those mutations.In this thesis I aim to comprehensively characterize and quantify genetic variation in a natural system, the songbird genus Corvus. First, we expand on previous work from a hybrid zone of different populations of Eurasian crows. All black carrion crows and black-and-grey hooded crows meet in a narrow hybrid zone in central Europe, and also in central and Southeast Asia. Comparing population genetic data acquired from these three hybrid zones yielded no single genetic region as a candidate responsible for phenotypic divergence, yet a parallelism in sets of genes and gene networks was evident.Second, we capitalize on varying evolutionary timescales to investigate the driver of the heterogeneous genetic differentiation landscape observed in multiple avian species. Genetic diversity, and thus differentiation, seems to be correlated both between populations within single species and between species which diverged 50 million years ago. This pattern is best explained by conserved broad-scale recombination rate variation, which is in turn likely associated with chromosomal features such as centromeres and telomeres.Third, we introduce a de-novo assembly of the hooded crow based on long-read sequencing and optical mapping. The use of this technology allowed a glimpse into previously hidden regions of the genome, and uncovered large-scale tandem repeat arrays consisting of a 14-kbp satellite repeat or its 1.2-kpb subunit. Furthermore, these tandem repeat arrays are associated with regions of reduced recombination rate.Lastly, we extend the population genetic analysis to structural genomic variation, such as insertions and deletions. A large-scale population re-sequencing data set based on short-read and long-read technologies, spread across the entire genus is the foundation of a fine-scale genome-wide map of structural variation. A differentiation outlier approach between all-black carrion and black-and-grey hooded crows identified a 2.25-kilobase LTR retrotransposon inserted 20-kb upstream of the NDP gene. The element, which is fixed in the hooded crow population, is associated with decreased expression of NDP and may be responsible for differences in plumage color.
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| 41. |
- Weissensteiner, Matthias H., et al.
(författare)
-
Low-budget ready-to-fly unmanned aerial vehicles : an effective tool for evaluating the nesting status of canopy-breeding bird species
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Journal of Avian Biology. - : Wiley. - 0908-8857 .- 1600-048X. ; 46:4, s. 425-430
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Remotely controlled, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) promise to be of high potential for a variety of applications in ecological and behavioural research. Off-the-shelf solutions have recently become available for civil use at steeply decreasing costs. In this study, we explored the utility of an UAV equipped with an on-board camera (14 megapixel photo and 1920 x 1080 pixel video resolution) in assessing the breeding status, offspring number and age of a canopy-breeding bird species, the hooded crow Corvus [corone] cornix. We further quantified performance and potential time savings using the UAV versus inspection with alternative approaches (optical instruments, camera on a telescopic rod, tree climbing). Nesting status, number and approximate age of nestlings could be assessed with good success in all 24 attempts using the UAV. Eighty-five percent of the time required for inspection by climbing could be saved. Disturbance was moderate and lower than caused by climbing or using a camera on a telescopic rod. Additionally, UAV usage avoided tree damage and circumvented health risks associated with tree-climbing.
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| 42. |
- Wolf, Jochen B. W., et al.
(författare)
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Making sense of genomic islands of differentiation in light of speciation
- 2017
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Ingår i: Nature reviews genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-0056 .- 1471-0064. ; 18:2, s. 87-100
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- As populations diverge, genetic differences accumulate across the genome. Spurred by rapid developments in sequencing technology, genome-wide population surveys of natural populations promise insights into the evolutionary processes and the genetic basis underlying speciation. Although genomic regions of elevated differentiation are the focus of searches for 'speciation genes', there is an increasing realization that such genomic signatures can also arise by alternative processes that are not related to population divergence, such as linked selection. In this Review, we explore methodological trends in speciation genomic studies, highlight the difficulty in separating processes related to speciation from those emerging from genome-wide properties that are not related to reproductive isolation, and provide a set of suggestions for future work in this area.
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| 43. |
- Wu, Chi-Chih, et al.
(författare)
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In situ quantification of individual mRNA transcripts in melanocytes discloses gene regulation of relevance to speciation
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Experimental Biology. - : COMPANY BIOLOGISTS LTD. - 0022-0949 .- 1477-9145. ; 222:5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Functional validation of candidate genes involved in adaptation and speciation remains challenging. Here, we exemplify the utility of a method quantifying individual mRNA transcripts in revealing the molecular basis of divergence in feather pigment synthesis during early-stage speciation in crows. Using a padlock probe assay combined with rolling circle amplification, we quantified cell-typespecific gene expression in the histological context of growing feather follicles. Expression of Tyrosinase Related Protein 1 (TYRP1), Solute Carrier Family 45 member 2 (SLC45A2) and Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D Synthase (HPGDS) was melanocyte-limited and significantly reduced in follicles from hooded crow, explaining the substantially lower eumelanin content in grey versus black feathers. The central upstream Melanocyte Inducing Transcription Factor (MITF) only showed differential expression specific to melanocytes - a feature not captured by bulk RNA-seq. Overall, this study provides insight into the molecular basis of an evolutionary young transition in pigment synthesis, and demonstrates the power of histologically explicit, statistically substantiated single-cell gene expression quantification for functional genetic inference in natural populations.
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