Fluctuating asymmetry and genetic variability in the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): a test of the developmental stability hypothesis in mammals using neutral molecular markers

Zachos, Frank E.; Hartl, Günther B.; Suchentrunk, Franz

doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800954

Cited by 31 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…In contrast, our study shows a significant relationship between population genetic diversity and scute anomalies (Figure 4). Our results corroborate previous studies in snakes that detected a negative correlation between scale anomalies and population heterozygosity [9], [10] or between fluctuating asymmetry and genetic diversity at the population level in other vertebrates [48], [49], [50], [51]. Indeed, population bottlenecks and genetic drift in small populations reduce genetic diversity and increase inbreeding.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Turtle Carapace Anomalies: The Roles of Genetic Diversity and Environment

2011

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BackgroundPhenotypic anomalies are common in wild populations and multiple genetic, biotic and abiotic factors might contribute to their formation. Turtles are excellent models for the study of developmental instability because anomalies are easily detected in the form of malformations, additions, or reductions in the number of scutes or scales.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn this study, we integrated field observations, manipulative experiments, and climatic and genetic approaches to investigate the origin of carapace scute anomalies across Iberian populations of the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis. The proportion of anomalous individuals varied from 3% to 69% in local populations, with increasing frequency of anomalies in northern regions. We found no significant effect of climatic and soil moisture, or climatic temperature on the occurrence of anomalies. However, lower genetic diversity and inbreeding were good predictors of the prevalence of scute anomalies among populations. Both decreasing genetic diversity and increasing proportion of anomalous individuals in northern parts of the Iberian distribution may be linked to recolonization events from the Southern Pleistocene refugium.Conclusions/SignificanceOverall, our results suggest that developmental instability in turtle carapace formation might be caused, at least in part, by genetic factors, although the influence of environmental factors affecting the developmental stability of turtle carapace cannot be ruled out. Further studies of the effects of environmental factors, pollutants and heritability of anomalies would be useful to better understand the complex origin of anomalies in natural populations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Turtle Carapace Anomalies: The Roles of Genetic Diversity and Environment

2011

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“…The moderate degree of fl uctuating asymmetry of both populations of the Asiatic wild ass corresponds well with data obtained from diff erent roe deer populations in Poland (Markowski, 1993), whereas a study on roe deer from Germany showed asymmetry levels twice as high as in the wild asses (Zachos et al, 2007). In the recently reintroduced populations of the Przewalski´s horses in Mongolia, even a slightly lower degree of fl uctuating asymmetry was observed (Usukhjargal et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Untitled

2015

Mong. J. Biol. Sci.

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The Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus) is a globally endangered large mammal threatened by competition with livestock, poaching as well as habitat fragmentation and loss. Because of these environmental stresses it can be assumed that the species suff ers from lower developmental stability and that barrier eff ects could cause genetic isolation. To gain more insight into the population genetics of the Asiatic wild ass, a series of 440 skulls found in two Gobi regions of Mongolia were examined. The epigenetic variability and epigenetic distance between the samples as well as their fl uctuating asymmetry were studied by using 62 non-metric skull characters to test and evaluate possible genetic depletion, genetic isolation and the general infl uences during ontogenesis. The high epigenetic variability, I ev = 0.39 did not diff er between the two regions indicating no evidence of genetic depression. The very low, but signifi cant epigenetic divergence of MMD = 0.05 between the Dzungarian Gobi and the Southern Gobi suggests restricted connectivity. The moderate degree of fl uctuating asymmetry (FA = 0.11 -0.15) found gives no signs of reduced developmental stability. Thus, our results suggest that Asiatic wild ass from Mongolia are from genetically viable populations. Lkhagvasuren, D., Batsaikhan, N., Samiya, R., Schafberg, R., Stubbe, A., Stubbe, M. & Ansorge, H. 2015. Morphological approach to genetic variability of the Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus) using non-metric skull characters. Mong. J. Biol. Sci., 13(1-2): 3-12.

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“…Similar correlations between geographic isolation, small populations size, reduced genetic variability or heterozygosity and increasing asymmetry were documented for further species known to be genetically depauperate, such as the cheetah (e.g. Kieser and Groeneveld 1991), the common shrew when comparing isolated versus continuous populations (White and Searle 2008), the northern elephant seal (Hoelzel et al 2002) and the roe deer (Zachos et al 2007). This relationship is, furthermore, often linked with a reduction in various fitness traits (see Tracy et al 2003).…”

Section: Morphological Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 76%

Does isolation affect phenotypic variability and fluctuating asymmetry in the endangered Red Apollo?

et al. 2011

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Isolated populations represent one of the main focuses in conservation biology. Long-term isolation often causes losses of genetic diversity and as a consequence might reduce individual fitness. Morphometric characters can be used as suitable markers to analyse ecological stress and individual fitness of local populations. Asymmetry in bilateral symmetry is used as a measure for developmental instability of populations and is often negatively correlated with population size and low genetic diversity. As a study system, we selected the endangered butterfly Parnassius apollo, which occurs in small and isolated remnant populations in Central Europe, but also in fairly large metapopulations in the Alps. We analysed wing morphometrics (shape and size characters) of 812 individuals representing (1) already extinct, (2) highly isolated and (3) still interconnected populations. Seventeen landmarks on veins were used to analyse morphological variances in the wing shape. Our data show significant deviations between landmarks on the left and right wing side within individuals and strong morphological variance among individuals. The highest morphological variability could be found for individuals in the Alps, however, the level of asymmetry was very similar for all populations analysed. The higher morphological variability found in the Alps can be interpreted as a consequence of the higher level of the genetic diversity detectable for this region. Analysis on morphological variance of P. apollo individuals of the Mosel valley using time series ranging from 1895 until today showed no significant rise in asymmetry and no decline of morphological variability over time, although, anthropogenic habitat destruction has caused severe bottlenecks in this population.

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Fluctuating asymmetry and genetic variability in the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): a test of the developmental stability hypothesis in mammals using neutral molecular markers

Cited by 31 publications

References 56 publications

Turtle Carapace Anomalies: The Roles of Genetic Diversity and Environment

Turtle Carapace Anomalies: The Roles of Genetic Diversity and Environment

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Does isolation affect phenotypic variability and fluctuating asymmetry in the endangered Red Apollo?

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