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Patterns of adaptive and neutral diversity identify the Xiaoxiangling mountains as a refuge for the giant panda.

ABSTRACT: Genetic variation plays a significant role in maintaining the evolutionary potential of a species. Comparing the patterns of adaptive and neutral diversity in extant populations is useful for understanding the local adaptations of a species. In this study, we determined the fine-scale genetic structure of 6 extant populations of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) using mtDNA and DNA fingerprints, and then overlaid adaptive variations in 6 functional Aime-MHC class II genes (DRA, DRB3, DQA1, DQA2, DQB1, and DQB2) on this framework. We found that: (1) analysis of the mtDNA and DNA fingerprint-based networks of the 6 populations identified the independent evolutionary histories of the 2 panda subspecies; (2) the basal (ancestral) branches of the fingerprint-based Sichuan-derived network all originated from the smallest Xiaoxiangling (XXL) population, suggesting the status of a glacial refuge in XXL; (3) the MHC variations among the tested populations showed that the XXL population exhibited extraordinary high levels of MHC diversity in allelic richness, which is consistent with the diversity characteristics of a glacial refuge; (4) the phylogenetic tree showed that the basal clades of giant panda DQB sequences were all occupied by XXL-specific sequences, providing evidence for the ancestor-resembling traits of XXL. Finally, we found that the giant panda had many more DQ alleles than DR alleles (33?13), contrary to other mammals, and that the XXL refuge showed special characteristics in the DQB loci, with 7 DQB members of 9 XXL-unique alleles. Thus, this study identified XXL as a glacial refuge, specifically harboring the most number of primitive DQB alleles.

SUBMITTER: Chen YY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3716684 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Patterns of adaptive and neutral diversity identify the Xiaoxiangling mountains as a refuge for the giant panda.

Chen Yi-Yan YY Zhu Ying Y Wan Qiu-Hong QH Lou Ji-Kang JK Li Wen-Jing WJ Ge Yun-Fa YF Fang Sheng-Guo SG

PloS one 20130719 7

Genetic variation plays a significant role in maintaining the evolutionary potential of a species. Comparing the patterns of adaptive and neutral diversity in extant populations is useful for understanding the local adaptations of a species. In this study, we determined the fine-scale genetic structure of 6 extant populations of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) using mtDNA and DNA fingerprints, and then overlaid adaptive variations in 6 functional Aime-MHC class II genes (DRA, DRB3, DQA1 ...[more]

PMID: 23894623

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Project description:BackgroundEvaluating patterns of genetic variation is important to identify conservation units (i.e., evolutionarily significant units [ESUs], management units [MUs], and adaptive units [AUs]) in endangered species. While neutral markers could be used to infer population history, their application in the estimation of adaptive variation is limited. The capacity to adapt to various environments is vital for the long-term survival of endangered species. Hence, analysis of adaptive loci, such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, is critical for conservation genetics studies. Here, we investigated 4 classical MHC class I genes (Aime-C, Aime-F, Aime-I, and Aime-L) and 8 microsatellites to infer patterns of genetic variation in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and to further define conservation units.ResultsOverall, we identified 24 haplotypes (9 for Aime-C, 1 for Aime-F, 7 for Aime-I, and 7 for Aime-L) from 218 individuals obtained from 6 populations of giant panda. We found that the Xiaoxiangling population had the highest genetic variation at microsatellites among the 6 giant panda populations and higher genetic variation at Aime-MHC class I genes than other larger populations (Qinling, Qionglai, and Minshan populations). Differentiation index (FST)-based phylogenetic and Bayesian clustering analyses for Aime-MHC-I and microsatellite loci both supported that most populations were highly differentiated. The Qinling population was the most genetically differentiated.ConclusionsThe giant panda showed a relatively higher level of genetic diversity at MHC class I genes compared with endangered felids. Using all of the loci, we found that the 6 giant panda populations fell into 2 ESUs: Qinling and non-Qinling populations. We defined 3 MUs based on microsatellites: Qinling, Minshan-Qionglai, and Daxiangling-Xiaoxiangling-Liangshan. We also recommended 3 possible AUs based on MHC loci: Qinling, Minshan-Qionglai, and Daxiangling-Xiaoxiangling-Liangshan. Furthermore, we recommend that a captive breeding program be considered for the Qinling panda population.

Project description:Given the fact that threatened species are often composed of isolated small populations, spatial continuity or demography of the populations may be major factors that have shaped the species' genetic diversity. Thus, neutral loci have been the most commonly-used markers in conservation genetics. However, the populations under the influence of different environmental factors may have evolved in response to different selective pressures, which cannot be fully reflected in neutral genetic variation. Rhodeus pseudosericeus, a bitterling species (Acheilognathidae; Cypriniformes) endemic to the Korean Peninsula, are only found in some limited areas of three rivers, Daecheon, Han and Muhan, that flow into the west coast. Here, we genotyped 24 microsatellite loci and two loci (DAB1 and DAB3) of MHC class II peptide-binding β1 domain for 222 individuals collected from seven populations. Our microsatellite analysis revealed distinctive differentiation between the populations of Daecheon and Muhan Rivers and the Han River populations, and populations were structured into two subgroups within the Han River. Apparent positive selection signatures were found in the peptide-binding residues (PBRs) of the MHC loci. The allelic distribution of MHC showed a degree of differentiation between the populations of Daecheon and Muhan Rivers and the Han River populations, partially similar to the results obtained for microsatellites, however showed rather complex patterns among populations in the Han River. Considering the apparent differences in the distribution of supertypes obtained based on the physicochemical differences induced by the polymorphisms of these PBRs, the differentiation in DAB1 between the two regional groups may result in the differences in immune function. No differentiation between these two regions was observed in the supertyping of DAB3, probably indicating that only DAB1 was associated with the response to locally specialized antigenic peptides.

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Patterns of adaptive and neutral diversity identify the Xiaoxiangling mountains as a refuge for the giant panda.

Publications

Patterns of adaptive and neutral diversity identify the Xiaoxiangling mountains as a refuge for the giant panda.

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