Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution
The conservation of genetic diversity and connectivity is essential for the long-term persistence and adaptive ability of a species. Recent calls have been made for the inclusion of genetic diversity and differentiation measures in the assessment, management, and conservation of species. However, th...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:652364b0bb074cd398dd5569930d1f41 2024-09-15T18:31:49+00:00 Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution Cory Fournier Micheline Manseau Bridget Redquest Leon Andrew Allicia Kelly Dave Hervieux Troy Hegel Gigi Pittoello Vicki Trim Dennis Brannen Paul Wilson 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03119 https://doaj.org/article/652364b0bb074cd398dd5569930d1f41 EN eng Elsevier http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989424003238 https://doaj.org/toc/2351-9894 2351-9894 doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03119 https://doaj.org/article/652364b0bb074cd398dd5569930d1f41 Global Ecology and Conservation, Vol 54, Iss , Pp e03119- (2024) Caribou Conservation genetics Genetic connectivity Genetic diversity Genetic networks Population structure Ecology QH540-549.5 article 2024 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03119 2024-08-05T17:48:45Z The conservation of genetic diversity and connectivity is essential for the long-term persistence and adaptive ability of a species. Recent calls have been made for the inclusion of genetic diversity and differentiation measures in the assessment, management, and conservation of species. However, the literature often lacks direction on how to do so for species with continuous distributions or no distinct breaks in genetic connectivity. There are many considerations to overcome when investigating genetic diversity and connectivity of such species. We combine multiple genetic network methodologies with more traditional population genetic analyses within a single framework to address the challenges of investigating population structure and quantifying variation in genetic diversity and connectivity of wide-ranging species with continuous distributions. We demonstrate the efficacy and applicability of our framework through a study on woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) occupying the boreal forest of Canada; a species of significant conservation concern. The dataset consisted of 4911 unique individuals genotyped at 9 microsatellite loci, which were subsequently partitioned into 103 spatial nodes to create a population-based genetic network. The Walktrap community detection algorithm was used to detect hierarchical population genetic structure within the study area and node-based network metrics such as mean inverse edge weight and clustering coefficient were used to quantify the variation in genetic connectivity across the range. Lastly, genetic diversity was assessed by calculating allelic richness and heterozygosity of the nodes making up the network. The community detection analysis identified two communities at the coarsest scale to nine communities at the optimal partition. A strong pattern of Isolation by Distance (IBD) was found across the range at multiple scales. Furthermore, signs of genetic erosion along the study area’s southern boundaries were depicted by nodes presenting low genetic diversity and low ... Article in Journal/Newspaper Rangifer tarandus Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Global Ecology and Conservation 54 e03119 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Caribou Conservation genetics Genetic connectivity Genetic diversity Genetic networks Population structure Ecology QH540-549.5 |
spellingShingle |
Caribou Conservation genetics Genetic connectivity Genetic diversity Genetic networks Population structure Ecology QH540-549.5 Cory Fournier Micheline Manseau Bridget Redquest Leon Andrew Allicia Kelly Dave Hervieux Troy Hegel Gigi Pittoello Vicki Trim Dennis Brannen Paul Wilson Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution |
topic_facet |
Caribou Conservation genetics Genetic connectivity Genetic diversity Genetic networks Population structure Ecology QH540-549.5 |
description |
The conservation of genetic diversity and connectivity is essential for the long-term persistence and adaptive ability of a species. Recent calls have been made for the inclusion of genetic diversity and differentiation measures in the assessment, management, and conservation of species. However, the literature often lacks direction on how to do so for species with continuous distributions or no distinct breaks in genetic connectivity. There are many considerations to overcome when investigating genetic diversity and connectivity of such species. We combine multiple genetic network methodologies with more traditional population genetic analyses within a single framework to address the challenges of investigating population structure and quantifying variation in genetic diversity and connectivity of wide-ranging species with continuous distributions. We demonstrate the efficacy and applicability of our framework through a study on woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) occupying the boreal forest of Canada; a species of significant conservation concern. The dataset consisted of 4911 unique individuals genotyped at 9 microsatellite loci, which were subsequently partitioned into 103 spatial nodes to create a population-based genetic network. The Walktrap community detection algorithm was used to detect hierarchical population genetic structure within the study area and node-based network metrics such as mean inverse edge weight and clustering coefficient were used to quantify the variation in genetic connectivity across the range. Lastly, genetic diversity was assessed by calculating allelic richness and heterozygosity of the nodes making up the network. The community detection analysis identified two communities at the coarsest scale to nine communities at the optimal partition. A strong pattern of Isolation by Distance (IBD) was found across the range at multiple scales. Furthermore, signs of genetic erosion along the study area’s southern boundaries were depicted by nodes presenting low genetic diversity and low ... |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Cory Fournier Micheline Manseau Bridget Redquest Leon Andrew Allicia Kelly Dave Hervieux Troy Hegel Gigi Pittoello Vicki Trim Dennis Brannen Paul Wilson |
author_facet |
Cory Fournier Micheline Manseau Bridget Redquest Leon Andrew Allicia Kelly Dave Hervieux Troy Hegel Gigi Pittoello Vicki Trim Dennis Brannen Paul Wilson |
author_sort |
Cory Fournier |
title |
Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution |
title_short |
Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution |
title_full |
Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution |
title_fullStr |
Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution |
title_full_unstemmed |
Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution |
title_sort |
genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution |
publisher |
Elsevier |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03119 https://doaj.org/article/652364b0bb074cd398dd5569930d1f41 |
genre |
Rangifer tarandus |
genre_facet |
Rangifer tarandus |
op_source |
Global Ecology and Conservation, Vol 54, Iss , Pp e03119- (2024) |
op_relation |
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989424003238 https://doaj.org/toc/2351-9894 2351-9894 doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03119 https://doaj.org/article/652364b0bb074cd398dd5569930d1f41 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03119 |
container_title |
Global Ecology and Conservation |
container_volume |
54 |
container_start_page |
e03119 |
_version_ |
1810473557025619968 |