Find research datasets worth reusing

opencc-by-4.0Jul 2023View details →

Data from Preliminary estimates of genetic parameters and familial selection for non-native poplars show good potential for genetic gains on growth, cold hardiness, trunk quality and Sphaerulina musiva susceptibility

Data from Preliminary estimates of genetic parameters and familial selection for non-native poplars show good potential for genetic gains on growth, cold hardiness, trunk quality and Sphaerulina musiva susceptibility Abstract Genetic parameters for growth, trunk quality and susceptibility to frost and Sphaerulina musiva attack was estimated from 34 half-sib families of hybrid poplar from the crossing of non-native parents, Populus maximowiczii A. Henry and Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray, 3 and 6 years after planting. The use of spatial analysis proved to be the best method for quantitative growth data. The proportion of the among-family variance to the total (phenotypic) variance as well as the high heritabilities of growth and susceptibility to frost and Spaherulina musiva showed a high potential for selection for these traits while the quality traits were under low genetic control. Some families showed gains for several traits, suggesting the possibility of developing a selection index to obtain superior families that show gain for not only growth but quality and adaptive traits as well. Type B correlations were high, suggesting that families responded in the same way regardless of the site. High type A correlation between growth traits at 3 and 6 years showed early selection potential, although these relationships should be confirmed with future measurements to evaluate this effect at maturity. These results can be integrated into the strategy for improving hybrid poplar parental populations and, in the longer term, will make it possible to optimize the selection of individuals with traits of interest for the operational deployment of hybrid poplar clones.

opencc-zeroJul 2023View details →

Data for: Cooperative assembly confers regulatory specificity and long-term genetic circuit stability

A ubiquitous feature of eukaryotic transcriptional regulation is cooperative self-assembly between transcription factors (TFs) and DNA cis-regulatory motifs. It is thought that this strategy enables specific regulatory connections to be formed in gene networks between otherwise weakly-interacting, low-specificity molecular components. Here, using synthetic gene circuits constructed in yeast, we find that high regulatory specificity can emerge from cooperative, multivalent interactions among artificial zinc finger-based TFs. We show that circuits 'wired' using the strategy of cooperative TF assembly are effectively insulated from aberrant misregulation of the host cell genome. As we demonstrate in experiments and mathematical models, this mechanism is sufficient to rescue circuit-driven fitness defects, resulting in genetic and functional stability of circuits in long-termcontinuous culture. Our naturally-inspired approach offers a simple, generalizable means for building high-fidelity, evolutionarily robust gene circuits that can be scaled to a wide range of host organisms and applications.

opencc-zeroJul 2023View details →

Data from: Philopatry influences the genetic population structure of the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) at multiple spatial scales

Understanding how interactions among microevolutionary forces generate genetic population structure of exploited species is vital to the implementation of management policies that facilitate population persistence. Philopatry displayed by many coastal shark species can impact gene flow and facilitate selection, and thus has direct implications for the spatial scales of management plans. Here, genetic structure of the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) was examined using a mixed-marker approach based on mitochondrial control region sequences and 4,339 SNP-containing loci generated using ddRAD-Seq. Genetic variation was assessed among young-of-the-year sampled in 11 sites in waters of the United States in the western North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico. Spatial and environmental analyses detected 68 nuclear loci putatively under selection, enabling separate assessments of neutral and adaptive genetic structure. Both mitochondrial and neutral SNP data indicated three genetically distinct units – the Atlantic, eastern Gulf, and western Gulf – that align with regional stocks and suggest regional philopatry by males and females. Heterogeneity at loci putatively under selection, associated with temperature and salinity, was observed among sites within Gulf units, suggesting local adaptation. Furthermore, five pairs of siblings were identified in the same site across timescales corresponding with female reproductive cycles. This indicates that females re-used a site for parturition, which has the potential to facilitate the sorting of adaptive variation among neighboring sites. The results demonstrate differential impacts of microevolutionary forces at varying spatial scales and highlight the importance of conserving essential habitats to maintain sources of adaptive variation that may buffer species against environmental change.

Heterogeneous microgeographic genetic structure of the common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean: biogeographic barriers and environmental factors

Knowledge of genetic structure at the finest level is essential for conservation of genetic resources. Despite no visible barriers limiting gene flow, significant genetic structure has been shown in marine species. The common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) is a bivalve of great commercial and ecological value inhabiting the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Previous population genomics studies demonstrated significant structure both across the Northeast Atlantic, but also within small geographic areas, highlighting the need to investigate fine-scale structuring. Here, we analysed two geographic areas that could represent opposite models of structure for the species: 1) the SW British Isles region, highly fragmented due to biogeographic barriers, and 2) Galicia (NW Spain), a putative homogeneous region. 9,250 SNPs genotyped by 2b-RAD on 599 individuals from 22 natural beds were used for the analysis. The entire SNP dataset mostly confirmed previous observations related to genetic diversity and differentiation, however, neutral and divergent SNP outlier datasets enabled disentangling physical barriers from abiotic environmental factors structuring both regions. While Galicia showed a homogeneous structure, the SW British Isles region was split into four reliable genetic regions related to oceanographic features and abiotic factors, such as sea surface salinity and temperature. The information gathered supports specific management policies of cockle resources in SW British and Galician regions also considering their particular socio-economic characteristics; further, these new data will be added to those recently reported in the Northeast Atlantic to define sustainable management actions across the whole distribution range of the species.

Genetic monitoring of steelhead in the Klickitat River to estimate productivity, straying, and migration timing

<div> Salmonids with complex life history variation present challenges for conservation management, but genetic approaches alongside fisheries monitoring can address questions regarding viability of natural populations. We genotyped adult (n=3,108) and juvenile (n=2,624) samples of anadromous Oncorhynchus mykiss that were collected in the Klickitat River, WA, USA at traps in the lower drainage to examine tributary level productivity, straying from outside sources and variation in adult migration timing. Genetic assignment of steelhead from this system indicated that the majority were produced within or near tributaries of the middle Klickitat River (juvenile mean = 72.8%; adult mean = 87.3%). Analyses with parentage-based tagging identified that most hatchery-origin adults were assigned to the Skamania Hatchery (80.8%) as expected since this has been the release stock for decades within the Klickitat River drainage. Hatchery-origin adults were also identified from programs operating outside the Klickitat River, which were primarily strays from Snake River hatcheries. Most natural-origin steelhead were assigned to the Klickitat River, but there were also natural-origin fish identified as strays from other regions of the Columbia River (22.3% of natural returns). We also examined genes known to be associated with migration timing in adult steelhead observed at the trap and observed a strong relationship between migration date and alleles for early and late migration, but individual outliers were detected across seasons. Our results indicate that genetic variation of steelhead in the Klickitat River has been influenced by hatchery programs as well as natural-origin straying from other sub-basins, but genetic diversity remains high throughout the sub-basin, and both early and late migration alleles are maintained. The genetic diversity present in Klickitat River steelhead may enable this Endangered Species Act listed (threatened) species to better adapt to stochastic environmental conditions compared to less diverse populations. </div>

Dataset for: Utilizing high-resolution genetic markers to track population-level exposure of migratory birds to renewable energy development

With new motivation to increase the proportion of energy demands met by zero-carbon sources, there is a greater focus on efforts to assess and mitigate the impacts of renewable energy development on sensitive ecosystems and wildlife, of which birds are of particular interest. One challenge for researchers, due in part to a lack of appropriate tools, has been estimating the effects from such development on individual breeding populations of migratory birds. To help address this, we utilize a newly developed, high-resolution genetic tagging method to rapidly identify the breeding population of origin of carcasses recovered from renewable energy facilities and combine them with maps of genetic variation across geographic space (called 'genoscapes') for five species of migratory birds known to be exposed to energy development, to assess the extent of population-level effects on migratory birds. We demonstrate that most avian remains collected were from the largest populations of a given species. In contrast, those remains from smaller, declining populations made up a smaller percentage of the total number of birds assayed. Results suggest that application of this genetic tagging method can successfully define population-level exposure to renewable energy development and may be a powerful tool to inform future siting and mitigation activities associated with renewable energy programs.

opencc-zeroDec 2022View details →

Data from: Past population control biases interpretations of contemporary genetic data: implications for future invasive Sitka black-tailed deer management in Haida Gwaii

Invasive species management practices often include genetic analyses to better inform decision-making and resource allocation. Yet, past management actions may artificially bias recovered patterns of genetic variation; for example, a population bottleneck caused by contemporary culling may mirror some patterns associated with historical isolation. Here, we aimed to disentangle the impacts of past management activities from natural processes for Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis), an invasive species that has been repeatedly culled on two islands, SGang Gwaay and Reef, within the Haida Gwaii archipelago (Canada). We applied a recently developed Genotyping-in-Thousands by sequencing panel to contemporary (e.g., blood, serum, tissue, muscle, feces) and archived deer samples, the latter collected prior to management activity within the system (c. 1997–1998), which allowed us to contextualize conflicting patterns of isolation and connectivity previously observed on SGang Gwaay and Reef. Successful genotyping (92.6%) and population genetic analysis of 292 individuals at 236 SNPs revealed signals of historical isolation on SGang Gwaay and Reef, provided evidence of a founder effect during initial colonization, and indicated an absence of ongoing gene flow. Furthermore, our spatiotemporal analyses consistently supported a priori predictions associated with bottlenecks within post-cull populations, such as within-island loss of genetic variation, elevated within-island kinship, and increased levels of among-island genetic differentiation. These findings are promising for future management of deer on SGang Gwaay and Reef, suggesting that eradications on these islands may be durable. More broadly, our work highlights the importance of understanding management history before interpreting contemporary population genetic data.

opencc-by-4.0Mar 2023View details →

Repeated mapped tree inventory data in a tree plantation for pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) genetic conservation

We performed replicated, repeated mapped tree inventory measures (x,y, height, diameter, vitality, etc.) to allow analysis of the spatial and temporal structure in 1 ha planted pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) stand established in 2003 to resemble the oak-hornnbeam forests for genetic conservation purposes in Po Valley (Foresta Carpaneta). Two inventories were carried out in 2009 and 2019. The use of replicated, repeated, and mapped tree measures allows the examination of true changes in spatial pattern processes through time in this forest type.

Preservation of genetic diversity in a highly fragmented population of the gray-sided vole Myodes rufocanus in an intensive farming region

Individual dispersal plays an important role in preserving genetic diversity in density-fluctuating populations of arvicoline rodents. When habitats are fragmented and dispersal between habitats is severely constrained, genetic diversity can be lost. Here, I investigated whether genetic diversity in the gray-sided vole Myodes rufocanus was preserved in an intensive farming region in Japan, where voles inhabited isolated windbreak forests along the borders of plowed lands. Genetic structure was examined in 673 vole samples (330 in spring and 343 in fall) collected at 34 windbreak forests located 0.35–20 km apart. A part of the control region (425 bp) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was sequenced in 673 voles, yielding 76 haplotypes. Genetic differentiation of maternally inherited mtDNA among trapping sites was markedly lower in males than in females in both seasons, indicating strong male-biased dispersal. Genotypes at six microsatellite DNA loci were determined in 494 voles (245 in spring and 249 in fall) from 18 trapping sites, and loci harbored 16–24 alleles. The mean number of alleles per locus (allelic diversity) at trapping sites was positively correlated with the number of examined individuals (density) in both seasons, and the relationship was very similar to that of a previous study performed in much less fragmented populations. Genetic differentiation of microsatellite DNA among trapping sites decreased considerably from spring to fall. In a STRUCTURE analysis with a most probable cluster number of two, closer trapping sites showed more similar mean values of cluster admixture proportions. The present findings indicate that gene flow among isolated windbreak forests, which occurred mainly by dispersal of males, was not restrained in this intensive farming region. Furthermore, the results suggest that genetic diversity in the study population was preserved as well as in less fragmented populations.

opencc-by-4.0Aug 2023View details →

Genetic networks datasets: ten books by Gustave Roud, "En mer" by Bernard Comment

In genetic criticism, scholarly editing, authorial philology and, more generally, for the study of authorial manuscripts and writing processes it is essential to order and classify the textual witnesses and their relationships. The two datasets documents so-called ‘genetic networks’, representations of the genetic entities (witnesses, publications, dossiers) and of their relationships, modelled according to the GENO 1.0 ontology. The datasets contain genetic networks of the works of two Swiss authors: the main publications of Gustave Roud (1897-1976) and the short story “En mer” by Bernard Comment (1960).

Multiplexing PCR allows the identification of within-species genetic diversity in ancient eDNA

Sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) has rarely been used to obtain population-level data due to either a lack of taxonomic resolution for the molecular method used, limitations in the reference material or inefficient methods. Here, we present the potential of multiplexing different PCR primers to retrieve population-level genetic data from sedaDNA samples. Vaccinium uliginosum (Ericaceae) is a widespread species with a circumpolar distribution and three lineages for present-day populations. We searched 18 plastid genomes for intraspecific variable regions and developed 61 primers to target these. Initial multiplex PCR testing resulted in a final set of 38 primers. These primers were used to analyse 20 lake sedaDNA samples (11,200 cal. yr BP to present) from five different localities in northern Norway, the Alps and the Polar Urals. All known V. uliginosum lineages in these regions and all primers could be recovered from the sedaDNA data, where for each sample 28.1 primers containing 34.15 variant sequences were obtained on average. All sediment samples were dominated by a single lineage, except three alpine samples which had co-occurrence of two different lineages. Furthermore, lineage turnover was observed in the Alps and northern Norway, suggesting that present-day phylogeographical studies may overlook past genetic patterns. Multiplexing primers is a promising tool for generating population-level genetic information from sedaDNA. The relatively simple method, combined with high sensitivity, provides a scalable method that will allow researchers to track populations through time and space using environmental DNA.

opencc-by-4.0Jul 2023View details →

Human OPRM1 and murine Oprm1 promoter driven viral constructs for genetic access to μ-opioidergic cell-types

With concurrent global epidemics of chronic pain and opioid use disorders, there is a critical need to identify, target and manipulate specific cell populations expressing the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). However, available tools and transgenic models for gaining long-term genetic access to MOR+ neural cell-types and circuits involved in modulating pain, analgesia and addiction across species are limited. To address this, we developed a catalog of MOR promoter (MORp) based constructs packaged into adeno-associated viral vectors that drive transgene expression in MOR+ cells. MORp constructs designed from promoter regions upstream of the mouse Oprm1 gene (mMORp) were validated for transduction efficiency and selectivity in endogenous MOR+ neurons in the brain, spinal cord, and periphery of mice, with additional studies revealing robust expression in rats, shrews, and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived nociceptors. The use of mMORp for in vivo fiber photometry, behavioral chemogenetics, and intersectional genetic strategies is also demonstrated. Lastly, a human designed MORp (hMORp) efficiently transduced macaque cortical OPRM1+ cells. Together, our MORp toolkit provides researchers cell-type specific genetic access to target and functionally manipulate mu-opioidergic neurons across a range of vertebrate species and translational models for pain, addiction, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

opencc-by-4.0Jul 2009View details →

Fig. 1 in Genetics and biochemistry of cobalamin disorders

Fig. 1. Light trap.

Comparative transmission genetics of introgressed chromatin in reciprocal advanced backcross populations in Gossypium (cotton) polyploids

Introgression is a potential source of valuable genetic variation and interspecific introgression lines are important resources for plant breeders to access novel alleles. Experimental advanced-generation backcross populations contain individuals with genomic compositions similar to those resulting from natural interspecific hybridization and provide opportunities to study the nature and transmission pattern of donor chromatin in recipient genomes. Here, we analyze transmission of donor chromatin in reciprocal backcrosses between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. Across the genome, recurrent backcrossing in both backgrounds yielded donor chromatin at slightly higher frequencies than the Mendelian expectation in BC5F1 plants, while the average frequency of donor alleles in BC5F2 segregating families was less than expected. In the two subgenomes of polyploid cotton, the rate of donor chromatin introgression was similar. Although donor chromatin was tolerated over much of the recipient genomes, 21 regions recalcitrant to donor alleles were identified. Only limited correspondence is observed between the recalcitrant regions in the two backgrounds, suggesting the effect of species background on introgression of donor segments. Genetic breakdown was progressive, with floral abscission and seed inviability ongoing during backcrossing cycles. Regions of either high or low introgression tended to be in terminal chromosomal regions that are generally rich in both genes and crossover events, with long stretches around the centromere having limited crossover activity resulting in relatively constant low introgression frequencies. Constraints on fixation and selection of donor alleles highlights the challenges of utilizing introgression breeding in crop improvement.

opencc-by-4.0Sep 2023View details →

Data and code for: The genetic architecture of a recent transition to live-bearing in marine snails

This repository contains the code and VCF files needed to conduct the analyses in our MS. Each folder contains a readMe document explaining the nature of each file and dataset and the results and analyses that they relate to. The same anlaysis code (but not VCF files) is also available at https://github.com/seanstankowski/Littorina_reproductive_mode

Microsatellite genotypes of Japanese abies species: Insights from population genetics and SDM

Range shifts during the Pleistocene shaped the unique phylogeographical structures of many species. Pleistocene range shifts gave currently allopatric species opportunities to occur in sympatry, likely resulting in ancient introgressions between related taxa. In our study, we investigate the range shifts and introgression patterns of three Japanese Abies species (A. firma, A. homolepis, and A. veitchii) by employing an extensive survey of 43 populations. This survey includes comprehensive analysis of both mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear (18 microsatellites) genomes, in combination with species distribution modeling (SDM). It is important to note that these two types of markers provide distinct and complementary information, as they have different modes of inheritance and mutation rates. Bayesian clustering analysis indicates that the three species were clearly separated, with the exception of the A. homolepis var. umbellata population, which is considered a natural hybrid between A. homolepis and A. firma. However, mtDNA haplotypes of the four northern populations of A. firma were entirely replaced by two major haplotypes of A. homolepis and A. veitchii. The results of Neighbor-net, NewHybrids, STRUCTURE analyses, and SDM suggest that historical introgression between species occurred in each geographic region, with mtDNA capture being the likely mechanism. However, contrary to these findings, the ABC coalescent analysis did not support an ancient introgression. Therefore, further validation with genome-wide level data is needed to clarify this issue. Our conclusion is that climate-induced range shifts during the Pleistocene/Holocene likely played a crucial role in the observed patterns of introgression in these species.

Data for: Assessment of genetic diversity and protein content of Scandinavian peas (Pisum sativum)

We produced homogeneous lines of 227 pea accessions from the Nordic Genetic Resource Center by single seed descent. The genetic diversity among these, mostly Scandinavian accessions, was investigated using three microsatellite markers, A9, AC58 and AA5. The microsatellites were highly informative and separated 153 of 194 accessions on a Neighbor Joining topology. The high polymorphism information content (PIC) values between 0.87 and 0.91 indicated that the gene bank material contains a large number of pea accessions with different breeding. The peas were grown in the field for two years and seed protein content showed variation between 9.3% and 34.1% over years and accessions. Mean thousand seed weight was 152.05 g. More than 10 accessions had protein content above 28% showing that the collection has potential as a breeding nursery for high-protein pea.

Data and Code for: Reproductive strategies and their consequences for divergence, gene flow, and genetic diversity in three taxa of Clarkia

Differences in reproductive strategies can have important implications for macro- and micro-evolutionary processes. We used a comparative approach through a population genetics lens to evaluate how three distinct reproductive strategies shape patterns of divergence among as well as gene flow and genetic diversity within three closely related taxa in the genus Clarkia. One taxon is a predominantly autonomous self-fertilizer and the other two taxa are predominantly outcrossing but vary in the primary pollinator they attract. In genotyping populations using genotyping-by-sequencing and comparing loci shared across taxa, our results suggest that differences in reproductive strategies in part promote evolutionary divergence among these closely related taxa. Contrary to expectations, we found that the selfing taxon had the highest levels of heterozygosity but a low rate of polymorphism. The high levels of fixed heterozygosity for a subset of loci suggests this pattern is driven by the presence of structural rearrangements in chromosomes common in other Clarkia taxa. In evaluating patterns within taxa, we found a complex interplay between reproductive strategy and geographic distribution. Differences in the mobility of primary pollinators did not translate to a difference in rates of genetic diversity and gene flow within taxa – a pattern likely due to one taxon having a patchier distribution and a less temporally and spatially reliable pollinator. Taken together, this work advances our understanding of the factors that shape gene flow and the distribution of genetic diversity within and among closely related taxa.

Phenotypic and genetic diversity data recorded in island and mainland populations worldwide

We used this dataset to assess the strength of isolation due to geographic and macroclimatic distance across island and mainland systems, comparing published measurements of phenotypic traits and neutral genetic diversity for populations of plants and animals worldwide. The dataset includes 112 studies of 108 species (72 animals and 36 plants) in 868 island populations and 760 mainland populations, with population-level taxonomic and biogeographic information, totalling 7438 records.