Genome sequencing and conservation genomics in the Scandinavian wolverine population. Issue 6 (7th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ekblom, Robert; Brechlin, Birte; Persson, Jens; Smeds, Linnéa; Johansson, Malin; Magnusson, Jessica; Flagstad, Øystein; Ellegren, Hans
• Is Part Of: Conservation biology. Volume 32:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 1301
• Page End: 1312
• Publication Date: 2018-09-07
• Subjects: genome assembly -- non‐invasive sampling -- population genetics -- single nucleotide polymorphisms -- ensamblado de genomas -- genética poblacional -- muestro no invasivo -- polimorfismo de un solo nucleótido; Conservation biology -- Periodicals; 333.9516
• DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13157
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0888-8892

Abstract

Abstract: Genetic approaches have proved valuable to the study and conservation of endangered populations, especially for monitoring programs, and there is potential for further developments in this direction by extending analyses to the genomic level. We assembled the genome of the wolverine (Gulo gulo), a mustelid that in Scandinavia has recently recovered from a significant population decline, and obtained a 2.42 Gb draft sequence representing >85% of the genome and including >21, 000 protein‐coding genes. We then performed whole‐genome resequencing of 10 Scandinavian wolverines for population genomic and demographic analyses. Genetic diversity was among the lowest detected in a red‐listed population (mean genome‐wide nucleotide diversity of 0.05%). Results of the demographic analyses indicated a long‐term decline of the effective population size ( N e ) from 10, 000 well before the last glaciation to <500 after this period. Current N e appeared even lower. The genome‐wide F IS level was 0.089 (possibly signaling inbreeding), but this effect was not observed when analyzing a set of highly variable SNP markers, illustrating that such markers can give a biased picture of the overall character of genetic diversity. We found significant population structure, which has implications for population connectivity and conservation. We used an integrated microfluidic circuit chip technology to develop an SNP‐array consisting of 96 highly informative markers that, together with a multiplex pre‐amplification step, was successfully applied to low‐quality DNA from scat samples. Our findings will inform management, conservation, and genetic monitoring of wolverines and serve as a genomic roadmap that can be applied to other endangered species. The approach used here can be generally utilized in other systems, but we acknowledge the trade‐off between investing in genomic resources and direct conservation actions. Abstract : Article impact statement : There is a direct link between genomics and management of a red‐listed population of wolverines.