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PSIV-7 Targeting Variation in the Mitochondrial Genomes of Bighorn and Domestic Sheep.

ABSTRACT: Abstract The mitochondrial genome has been used in numerous species to discern evolutionary patterns, phylogeny, and speciation. Previous studies including mitochondrial genome assemblies in bighorn and domestic sheep indicate variation between these two species. This variation can be used to determine whether animal tissue originates from bighorn or domestic species. In this study, we designed and validated an assay that uses amplification of two targets in the mitochondrial genome followed by short read sequencing to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in bighorn and domestic sheep. Tissue samples were acquired from two Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and two domestic sheep (Suffolk and Icelandic breeds), and mitochondrial DNA was extracted. A target designed on the Cytochrome B (CYTB) gene (266 base pairs in length) and a target on the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) gene (328 base pairs in length) were amplified using PCR and sequenced with an Illumina Mi-Seq. Sequences were aligned to Ovis aries Oar_v4.0 mitochondrial reference (NC_001941.1) and Ovis canadensis mitochondrial reference (JN181255), and variants were called using CLC Genomics Workbench v11.0 with sequence depth of over 40X. Bighorn sheep sequences aligned to the domestic mitochondrial reference displayed 17 SNPs in each target, with a total of 34 SNPs and 94% sequence identity, while domestic sequences displayed 0–2 SNPs for both targets and 99–100% sequence identity. Bighorn sheep sequences aligned to the bighorn mitochondrial reference displayed 0 variants and 100% sequence identity, while domestic sheep sequences displayed 16–17 SNPs in each target, with 33–34 total SNPs identified and 94% sequence identity. The assay designed in this study and variants identified can be used to determine whether samples are of Ovis aries or Ovis canadensis origin. Further, these data provide additional insight into mitochondrial genome variation between two Ovisspecies; one domestic and one wild.

SUBMITTER: Davenport K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6285092 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundBronchopneumonia is a population limiting disease of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) that has been associated with contact with domestic Caprinae. The disease is polymicrobial but is initiated by Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, which is commonly carried by both domestic sheep (O. aries) and goats (Capra aegagrus hircus). However, while previous bighorn sheep comingling studies with domestic sheep have resulted in nearly 100% pneumonia mortality, only sporadic occurrence of fatal pneumonia was reported from previous comingling studies with domestic goats. Here, we evaluated the ability of domestic goats of defined M. ovipneumoniae carriage status to induce pneumonia in comingled bighorn sheep.Methodology/principal findingsIn experiment 1, three bighorn sheep naïve to M. ovipneumoniae developed non-fatal respiratory disease (coughing, nasal discharge) following comingling with three naturally M. ovipneumoniae-colonized domestic goats. Gross and histological lesions of pneumonia, limited to small areas on the ventral and lateral edges of the anterior and middle lung lobes, were observed at necropsies conducted at the end of the experiment. A control group of three bighorn sheep from the same source housed in isolation during experiment 1 remained free of observed respiratory disease. In experiment 2, three bighorn sheep remained free of observed respiratory disease while comingled with three M. ovipneumoniae-free domestic goats. In experiment 3, introduction of a domestic goat-origin strain of M. ovipneumoniae to the same comingled goats and bighorn sheep used in experiment 2 resulted in clinical signs of respiratory disease (coughing, nasal discharge) in both host species. At the end of experiment 3, gross and histological evidence of pneumonia similar to that observed in experiment 1 bighorn sheep was observed in both affected bighorn sheep and domestic goats.Conclusions/significanceM. ovipneumoniae strains carried by domestic goats were transmitted to comingled bighorn sheep, triggering development of pneumonia. However, the severity of the disease was markedly milder than that seen in similar experiments with domestic sheep strains of the bacterium.

Project description:Managing water (e.g., catchments) to increase the abundance and distribution of game is popular in arid regions, especially throughout the southwest United States, where biologists often manage water year-round for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni). Bighorn may visit water when predators (e.g., mountain lions [Puma concolor], coyotes [Canis latrans]) do not, suggesting that differences in species ecology or their surface water requirements influence visit timing. Alternatively, visits by desert bighorn sheep and predators may align. The former outcome identifies opportunities to improve water management by providing water when desert bighorn sheep visit most, which hypothetically may reduce predator presence, range expansion and predation, thereby supporting objectives to increase sheep abundances. Since advancing water management hinges on understanding the patterns of species visits, we identified when these three species and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) visited managed waters in three North American deserts (Chihuahuan, Sonoran, Mojave). We unraveled the ecological basis describing why visits occurred by associating species visits with four weather variables using multi-site, multi-species models within a Bayesian hierarchical framework (3.4 million images; 105 locations; 7/2009-12/2016). Desert bighorn sheep concentrated visits to water within 4-5 contiguous months. Mountain lions visited water essentially year-round within all deserts. Higher maximum temperature influenced visits to water, especially for desert bighorn sheep. Less long-term precipitation (prior 6-week total) raised visits for all species, and influenced mountain lion visits 3-20 times more than mule deer and 3-37 times more than sheep visits. Visits to water by prey were inconsistent predictors of visits to water by mountain lions. Our results suggest improvements to water management by aligning water provision with the patterns and ecological explanations of desert bighorn sheep visits. We exemplify a scientific approach to water management for enhancing stewardship of desert mammals, be it the southwest United States or arid regions elsewhere.

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PSIV-7 Targeting Variation in the Mitochondrial Genomes of Bighorn and Domestic Sheep.

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