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PMID: 31149628 Published · epublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Genomic signatures of extensive inbreeding in Isle Royale wolves, a population on the threshold of extinction.

Science advances ·Vol. 5 ·No. 5 ·2019-00-00 ·Pages eaau0757

Robinson JA, Räikkönen J, Vucetich LM, Vucetich JA, Peterson RO, Lohmueller KE, Wayne RK

Abstract

The observation that small isolated populations often suffer reduced fitness from inbreeding depression has guided conservation theory and practice for decades. However, investigating the genome-wide dynamics associated with inbreeding depression in natural populations is only now feasible with relatively inexpensive sequencing technology and annotated reference genomes. To characterize the genome-wide effects of intense inbreeding and isolation, we performed whole-genome sequencing and morphological analysis of an iconic inbred population, the gray wolves (Canis lupus) of Isle Royale. Through population genetic simulations and comparison with wolf genomes from a variety of demographic histories, we find evidence that severe inbreeding depression in this population is due to increased homozygosity of strongly deleterious recessive mutations. Our results have particular relevance in light of the recent translocation of wolves from the mainland to Isle Royale, as well as broader implications for management of genetic variation in the fragmented landscape of the modern world.

MeSH Terms
Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics,veterinary Animals Extinction, Biological Female Genetic Variation Genetics, Population Genome Homozygote Inbreeding Male Michigan Whole Genome Sequencing Wolves/genetics
Authors & Affiliations
7 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Robinson Jacqueline A ORCID
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Räikkönen Jannikke
Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 10405 Stockholm, Sweden.
Vucetich Leah M
School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
Vucetich John A ORCID
School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
Peterson Rolf O ORCID
School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
Lohmueller Kirk E ORCID
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. | Interdepartmental Program in Bioinformatics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. | Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Wayne Robert K ORCID
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Article Info
Journal
Science advances
Abbr.
Sci Adv
ISSN
2375-2548
DOI
10.1126/sciadv.aau0757
Published
2019-00-00
Epub
2019-00-29
Pages
eaau0757
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
101653440
PMCID
PMC6541468
Subset
IM
Grants
NIGMS NIH HHS · R35 GM119856 · United States
NIH HHS · S10 OD018174 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau0757 PMC Full Text View journal details
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