Chytrid fungus infection in alpine tree frogs is associated with individual heterozygosity and population isolation but not population-genetic diversity

Banks, Sam C.; Scheele, Benjamin C.; Macris, Amy; Hunter, David; Jack, Cameron; Fraser, Ceridwen I.

doi:10.21425/f5fbg43875

Cited by 15 publications

(18 citation statements)

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“…One study found that heterozygosity at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes was significantly associated with survival in Lowland leopard frogs ( Rana yavapaiensis ) experimentally infected with Bd (Savage & Zamudio, 2011). Another recent study of Australian alpine tree frogs ( Litoria verreauxii alpina ) found that individuals with greater genome‐wide heterozygosity had a reduced probability of Bd infection in the wild (Banks et al., 2019). Future reintroductions for A. varius and A. zeteki must consider new approaches, such as induced genetic rescue, to address persistent threats and maladapted captive colonies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By comparing population outcomes from El Copé West to other surviving populations with non-admixed persisting populations, we can learn more about the potential for genetic rescue to spur recovery in this species.Given preliminary evidence of genetic rescue in El Copé West, and our finding that strict boundaries separating nearby genetic groups are generally lacking in this system, we argue that assisted gene flow may be an important management strategy. Conservation Bd infection in the wild(Banks et al, 2019). Future reintroductions for A. varius and A. zeteki must consider new approaches, such as induced genetic rescue, to address persistent threats and maladapted captive colonies.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Whole exome sequencing identifies the potential for genetic rescue in iconic and critically endangered Panamanian harlequin frogs

Byrne

Richards‐Zawacki

Voyles

et al. 2020

Global Change Biology

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Avoiding extinction in a rapidly changing environment often relies on a species' ability to quickly adapt in the face of extreme selective pressures. In Panamá, two closely related harlequin frog species (Atelopus varius and Atelopus zeteki) are threatened with extinction due to the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Once thought to be nearly extirpated from Panamá, A. varius have recently been rediscovered in multiple localities across their historical range; however, A. zeteki are possibly extinct in the wild. By leveraging a unique collection of 186 Atelopus tissue samples collected before and after the Bd outbreak in Panama, we describe the genetics of persistence for these species on the brink of extinction. We sequenced the transcriptome and developed an exome-capture assay to sequence the coding regions of the Atelopus genome. Using these genetic data, we evaluate the population genetic structure of historical A. varius and A. zeteki populations, describe changes in genetic diversity over time, assess the relationship between contemporary and historical individuals, and test the hypothesis that some A. varius populations have rapidly evolved to resist or tolerate Bd infection. We found a significant decrease in genetic diversity in contemporary (compared to historical) A. varius populations. We did not find strong evidence of directional allele frequency change or selection for Bd resistance genes, but we uncovered a set of candidate genes that warrant further study. Additionally, we found preliminary evidence of recent migration and gene flow in one of the largest persisting A. varius populations in Panamá, suggesting the potential for genetic rescue in this system. Finally, we propose that previous conservation units should be modified, as clear genetic breaks do not exist beyond the local population level. Our data lay the groundwork for genetically informed conservation and advance our understanding of how imperiled species might be rescued from extinction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Whole exome sequencing identifies the potential for genetic rescue in iconic and critically endangered Panamanian harlequin frogs

Byrne

Richards‐Zawacki

Voyles

et al. 2020

Global Change Biology

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“…Its focus on population‐level heterozygosity further excluded consideration of individual‐level effects. Although relatively few in number, within‐population studies in wildlife have reported an inverse relationship between genetic diversity and disease using neutral microsatellites (Coltman, Pilkington, Smith, & Pemperton, 1999; Townsend et al., 2018), immunogenetic markers (Brambilla, Keller, Bassano, & Grossen, 2018), and genome‐wide datasets (Banks et al., 2020). In addition, morbidity has been associated with specific loci in multiple host species (Batley et al., 2019; Donaldson et al., 2017; Elbers, Brown, & Taylor, 2018; Ellison et al., 2014; Margres et al., 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sarcoptic mange severity is associated with reduced genomic variation and evidence of selection in Yellowstone National Park wolves (Canis lupus)

DeCandia

Schrom

Brandell

et al. 2020

Evolutionary Applications

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“…2018b; Howard and Clemann 2014; Banks et al. 2020). While the use of one disease‐naïve population is a small sample size, it was the only disease‐naïve population ecologically similar to the infected populations nearby.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fourth population-Grey Mare-was B. dendrobatidis naïve during this experiment; one of only two known disease-naïve populations of L. v. alpina at the time. Since then, both naïve populations have experienced B. dendrobatidis intro-ductions and near complete population crashes (Grogan et al 2018b;Howard and Clemann 2014;Banks et al 2020). While the use of one disease-naïve population is a small sample size, it was the only disease-naïve population ecologically similar to the infected populations nearby.…”

Section: Populations Of Originmentioning

confidence: 99%

Declining amphibians might be evolving increased reproductive effort in the face of devastating disease

et al. 2021

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The devastating infectious disease chytridiomycosis has caused declines of amphibians across the globe, yet some populations are persisting and even recovering. One understudied effect of wildlife disease is changes in reproductive effort. Here, we aimed to understand if the disease has plastic effects on reproduction and if reproductive effort could evolve with disease endemism. We compared the effects of experimental pathogen exposure (trait plasticity) and population‐level disease history (evolution in trait baseline) on reproductive effort using gametogenesis as a proxy in the declining and endangered frog Litoria verreauxii alpina. We found that unexposed males from disease‐endemic populations had higher reproductive effort, which is consistent with an evolutionary response to chytridiomycosis. We also found evidence of trait plasticity, where males and females were affected differently by infection: pathogen exposed males had higher reproductive effort (larger testes), whereas females had reduced reproductive effort (smaller and fewer developed eggs) regardless of the population of origin. Infectious diseases can cause plastic changes in the reproductive effort at an individual level, and population‐level disease exposure can result in changes to baseline reproductive effort; therefore, individual‐ and population‐level effects of disease should be considered when designing management and conservation programs for threatened and declining species.

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Chytrid fungus infection in alpine tree frogs is associated with individual heterozygosity and population isolation but not population-genetic diversity

Abstract: Banks et al. Genetic effects of chytridiomycosis on frogs

Cited by 15 publications

References 50 publications

Whole exome sequencing identifies the potential for genetic rescue in iconic and critically endangered Panamanian harlequin frogs

Whole exome sequencing identifies the potential for genetic rescue in iconic and critically endangered Panamanian harlequin frogs

Sarcoptic mange severity is associated with reduced genomic variation and evidence of selection in Yellowstone National Park wolves (Canis lupus)

Declining amphibians might be evolving increased reproductive effort in the face of devastating disease

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