Journal article
Genomic insights into the critically endangered King Island scrubtit
The Journal of Heredity, Vol.115(5), pp.552-564
2024
PMID: 38814752
Abstract
Small, fragmented, or isolated populations are at risk of population decline due to fitness costs associated with inbreeding and genetic drift. The King Island scrubtit Acanthornis magna greeniana is a critically endangered subspecies of the nominate Tasmanian scrubtit A. m. magna, with an estimated population of <100 individuals persisting in three patches of swamp forest. The Tasmanian scrubtit is widespread in wet forests on mainland Tasmania. We sequenced the scrubtit genome using PacBio HiFi and undertook a population genomic study of the King Island and Tasmanian scrubtits using a double-digest restriction site-associated DNA (ddRAD) dataset of 5,239 SNP loci. The genome was 1.48 Gb long, comprising 1,518 contigs with an N50 of 7.715 Mb. King Island scrubtits formed one of four overall genetic clusters, but separated into three distinct subpopulations when analyzed independently of the Tasmanian scrubtit. Pairwise F-ST values were greater among the King Island scrubtit subpopulations than among most Tasmanian scrubtit subpopulations. Genetic diversity was lower and inbreeding coefficients were higher in the King Island scrubtit than all except one of the Tasmanian scrubtit subpopulations. We observed crown baldness in 8/15 King Island scrubtits, but 0/55 Tasmanian scrubtits. Six loci were significantly associated with baldness, including one within the DOCK11 gene which is linked to early feather development. Contemporary gene flow between King Island scrubtit subpopulations is unlikely, with further field monitoring required to quantify the fitness consequences of its small population size, low genetic diversity, and high inbreeding. Evidence-based conservation actions can then be implemented before the taxon goes extinct.
Details
- Title
- Genomic insights into the critically endangered King Island scrubtit
- Authors/Creators
- Ross Crates - Australian National UniversityBrenton von Takach - Curtin UniversityCatherine M. Young - Australian National UniversityDejan Stojanovic - Australian National UniversityLinda E. Neaves - Australian National UniversityLiam Murphy - Australian National UniversityDaniel Gautschi - Australian National UniversityCarolyn J. Hogg - The University of SydneyRobert Heinsohn - Australian National UniversityPhil Bell - University of TasmaniaKatherine A. Farquharson - The University of Sydney
- Publication Details
- The Journal of Heredity, Vol.115(5), pp.552-564
- Publisher
- Oxford Univ Press
- Number of pages
- 13
- Grant note
- CE200100012 / King Island Conservation Action Plan working group, Sustainable Timber Tasmania Western Australian Government through the Premier's Science Fellowship Program BioPlatforms Threatened Species Initiative Australian Government Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide; Australian Research Council; Macquarie University Galaxy Australia Government of Western Australia Australian Government Commonwealth Department of Environment and Climate Change; Australian Government 3192; 2833 / Commonwealth Department of Environment and Climate Change, BirdLife Australia
- Identifiers
- 991005884937407891
- Copyright
- © The American Genetic Association. 2024.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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