Martin W Nicholson, Lucas Moreira, Emily A Boyle, Evan McCabe, Adrianna Soriano, Malcolm McSwain, William N Feist, Samantha K Nguyen, Kaitlin Steiger, Nicolas Alexandre, Savannah J Hoyt, Nicole M Tillquist, Rachel J O'Neill, Kennosuke Ichikawa, Mike J McGrew, Olivier Fedrigo, Anna Keyte
{"title":"Long-term rock dove (Columba livia) primordial germ cell culture: A tool towards avian conservation.","authors":"Martin W Nicholson, Lucas Moreira, Emily A Boyle, Evan McCabe, Adrianna Soriano, Malcolm McSwain, William N Feist, Samantha K Nguyen, Kaitlin Steiger, Nicolas Alexandre, Savannah J Hoyt, Nicole M Tillquist, Rachel J O'Neill, Kennosuke Ichikawa, Mike J McGrew, Olivier Fedrigo, Anna Keyte","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esag045","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jhered/esag045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are critical tools for genome engineering and conservation in birds. Although culture systems for chicken PGCs have been well established for nearly two decades, efforts to propagate PGCs from other avian species have proved exceptionally challenging, limiting the broader application of artificial reproductive technologies in birds. Here we report the first successful derivation and long-term culture of PGCs from the rock dove, or common pigeon (Columba livia). Guided by transcriptomic profiling of PGCs, we developed a species-specific medium that supports PGC maintenance and expansion. We identify insulin signaling as a requirement for survival under the conditions tested, and demonstrate that inhibition of the retinoic acid receptor, in the presence of vitamin A, supports propagation. Supplementation with bone morphogenetic protein 4, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and pleiotrophin further enhances PGC proliferation. Cultured cells express canonical germline markers and migrate to the gonads following injection into both rock dove and chicken embryos, confirming functional migratory competency. These findings establish a platform for germline manipulation and biobanking in Columbidae, broadening the potential applicability of reproductive technologies to conservation efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":"1130-1143"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539448/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stephen D Turner, Anna Keyte, Andrew Pask, Beth Shapiro
{"title":"De-extinction technology and its application to conservation.","authors":"Stephen D Turner, Anna Keyte, Andrew Pask, Beth Shapiro","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esaf069","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jhered/esaf069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>De-extinction, once the realm of science fiction, has evolved into a tangible scientific endeavor thanks to breakthroughs in genome sequencing, engineering, advanced assisted reproductive technologies, and stem cell biology. Alongside this work are innovations in reintroduction science and artificial intelligence, which are refining strategies for species translocations, rewilding, and long-term ecosystem monitoring of de-extinct species and populations. While the primary motivation for de-extinction is restoring lost ecological functions to eroded ecosystems, each of these technologies can also be applied to conservation biology for de-endangerment, offering new solutions for biodiversity preservation. This review synthesizes the technological advancements emerging from de-extinction science and explores their broad applications in conservation, demonstrating how de-extinction is both about resurrecting lost species and about expanding the conservation toolkit to sustain and rebuild biodiversity in the face of accelerating environmental change.</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":"959-974"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539451/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145132509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dalya Salih, Ellie E Armstrong, Charles T Robbins, Lisette P Waits, Joanna L Kelley
{"title":"Bridging the gap between legacy polymerase chain reaction-based microsatellite data with high-throughput sequencing data for conservation genomics.","authors":"Dalya Salih, Ellie E Armstrong, Charles T Robbins, Lisette P Waits, Joanna L Kelley","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esaf090","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jhered/esaf090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microsatellites are powerful markers for tracking genetic variation in wildlife populations due to their high polymorphism and genome-wide abundance. While polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based fragment size analysis has been the standard for genotyping microsatellites, high-throughput sequencing offers greater resolution and the opportunity to sync historical datasets with modern analyses. We evaluated how genotypes from whole-genome sequencing align with PCR data for 15 microsatellite loci in 11 North American brown bears (Ursus arctos). Brown bear populations in the 48 contiguous United States have declined from approximately 50,000 to fewer than 2,000 over the past decades. Their endangered status has prompted extensive research and genetic monitoring, yielding large, multiyear microsatellite datasets upon which future conservation efforts can build. We achieved an overall microsatellite genotype concordance rate of 94.5% comparing high-throughput sequencing results to PCR based-fragment size results. All discrepancies occurred at complex loci containing multiple insertions and/or deletions (indels). Physically linked indels or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occurring within the loci were misinterpreted as independent insertions, underscoring the need for genotyping tools that incorporate phasing when genotyping. To evaluate coverage effects, we downsampled high-throughput sequence data from 30x to 2x. Concordance remained high at 20 to 30x but dropped sharply at 10x, with 5x and 2x having discordant genotypes or insufficient coverage for genotyping. Accurate genotyping required both sufficient depth and number of reads spanning the entire repeat regions. Our results show that short-read whole-genome sequencing can recover microsatellite genotypes with high accuracy when paired with careful variant interpretation. By aligning historical PCR datasets with modern sequencing data, we can preserve decades of genetic insight and strengthen long-term monitoring of at-risk populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":"1107-1117"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539450/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145440095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mark Louie D Lopez, Neha Acharya-Patel, Michael J Allison, Amy Migneault, Sarah Trilesky, Caren C Helbing
{"title":"From environmental DNA into actionable biodiversity data: Towards the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.","authors":"Mark Louie D Lopez, Neha Acharya-Patel, Michael J Allison, Amy Migneault, Sarah Trilesky, Caren C Helbing","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esaf068","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jhered/esaf068","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate due to ongoing habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, the spread of invasive species, and unsustainable use of natural resources. In response, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted in 2022, outlines a transformative goal to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The framework focuses on three main pillars: mitigating biodiversity threats, advancing implementation, and ensuring fair and sustainable use of biological resources. Meeting these objectives requires the adoption of innovative, adaptable, and inclusive monitoring strategies. Among these, environmental DNA (eDNA) has gained recognition as a non-invasive biodiversity assessment method that detects trace genetic material in environmental samples like sediment, soil, water, and air. Compared to conventional survey techniques, eDNA offers improved accuracy, sampling flexibility, and a non-destructive approach to monitoring ecosystems. Herein, we examine eDNA's role in achieving KMGBF goals to enable fulfilment of the Convention on Biological Diversity's vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050. We discuss its use in meeting several KMGBF targets including early detection of invasive species, enhancing biosecurity, monitoring species recovery, assessing pollution impacts, and supporting climate resilience. The standardization of eDNA protocols and alignment with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles ensure that results are transparent and interoperable across regions and platforms. Integrating eDNA into existing biodiversity monitoring networks enhances conservation planning, restoration efforts, and the management of protected areas. Additionally, eDNA facilitates inclusive conservation by supporting Indigenous-led and community-based monitoring, promoting stewardship, and enabling equitable access to biodiversity data worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":"1022-1035"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539455/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145126650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Athena W Lam, James B Henderson, Iris A Holmes, Richard B Seymour, Michael Westphal, Rayna C Bell
{"title":"Chromosome-Level Reference Genome of the Desert Night Lizard Xantusia vigilis.","authors":"Athena W Lam, James B Henderson, Iris A Holmes, Richard B Seymour, Michael Westphal, Rayna C Bell","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esag063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esag063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present a reference-quality genome assembly for the desert night lizard (Xantusia vigilis). The night lizards (Xantusiidae) are a family of small-bodied lizards found in North America (Xantusia), Central America (Lepidophyma), and Cuba (Cricosaura). The night lizard family has an independent evolutionary history of at least 80 million years from its sister taxa within Scincoidea. The Xantusiids have several unique ecological, behavioral and evolutionary characteristics. For instance, the family contains the only squamate species that form diploid, unisexual, parthenogenic lineages. In addition, most night lizards are viviparous and form stable kin groups that are maintained over multiple years, an unusual life history strategy among lizards. Combining PacBio long-read sequencing, Hi-C, and RNAseq data we developed a reference-quality genome for the desert night lizard, X. vigilis. We assembled a complete mitochondrion and ~ 2.2 Gb nuclear genome, with 20 scaffolds that correlate in size to the X. vigilis karyotype. In addition, we found that X. vigilis chromosome 1 aligns with gene content of both of macrochromosome 1 and microchromosome 9 from a genome assembly of a species in the sister family Cordylidae (Hemicordylus capensis).</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148889484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cock van Oosterhout, Samuel A Speak, Thomas Birley, Lewis W G Hitchings, Chiara Bortoluzzi, Lawrence Percival-Alwyn, Lara Urban, Jim J Groombridge, Gernot Segelbacher, Hernán E Morales
{"title":"Genomic erosion in the assessment of species' extinction risk and recovery potential.","authors":"Cock van Oosterhout, Samuel A Speak, Thomas Birley, Lewis W G Hitchings, Chiara Bortoluzzi, Lawrence Percival-Alwyn, Lara Urban, Jim J Groombridge, Gernot Segelbacher, Hernán E Morales","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esag011","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jhered/esag011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Many species are undergoing rapid population declines and environmental deterioration, leading to genomic erosion. Here we define genomic erosion as the loss of genetic diversity, accumulation of deleterious mutations, maladaptation, and introgression, all of which can undermine individual fitness and long-term population viability. Critically, this process continues even after demographic recovery due to a time-lagged impact of genetic drift, which is known as drift debt. Current conservation assessments, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, focus on short-term extinction risk and do not capture the long-term consequences of genomic erosion. Likewise, the longer-term assessments of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Green Status may overestimate population recovery by failing to account for the enduring effects of genomic erosion. As genome sequencing becomes increasingly accessible, there is a growing opportunity to quantify genomic erosion and integrate it into conservation planning. Here, we use genomic simulations to illustrate how different genomic metrics are sensitive to the drift debt. We test how ancestral effective population size (Ne) and bottleneck history influence the tempo and severity of genomic erosion. Furthermore, we demonstrate how these dynamics shape genetic load and additive genetic variation, which are key indicators of long-term evolutionary potential. Finally, we present a proof-of-concept for a Genomic Green Status framework that aligns genomic metrics with conservation impact assessments, laying the foundation for genomics-informed strategies to support species recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":"1008-1021"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539449/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146108434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erik R Funk, Caitlin J Curry, Scott Tremor, Debra M Shier, Aryn P Wilder
{"title":"Past genomes guide future conservation: insights from extinct populations of the endangered Pacific pocket mouse.","authors":"Erik R Funk, Caitlin J Curry, Scott Tremor, Debra M Shier, Aryn P Wilder","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esaf092","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jhered/esaf092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Efforts to recover endangered species often rely on restoring populations to their historical range, yet reestablishing lost genetic variation is challenging when the ancestral genetic landscape is poorly understood. The Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus), a federally endangered heteromyid rodent, has been extirpated from most of its range in coastal southern California. Recovery efforts call for establishing new populations in their historic range through translocation, but the extent to which historical patterns of genetic variation can be recapitulated is unknown. To inform conservation planning, we sequenced whole genomes of historical samples, including individuals from populations that went extinct in the mid-1900s. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that mice from the southernmost extirpated population form a clade with a different subspecies, while populations to the north form a sister clade. These findings support morphological evidence calling for a taxonomic revision, which would modify the definition of the historic range and complicate the interpretation of suitable reintroduction sites. Despite this divergence, D-statistics and demographic models indicate historical gene flow among coastal populations, suggesting that alleles reintroduced to the southern coast may echo ancestral connectivity. Thus, management efforts should consider potential receiver sites that contain suitable habitat within this range as viable for population creation. These results highlight the value of historical genomics in guiding conservation decisions, particularly when taxonomic uncertainty, extirpation, and limited genetic diversity constrain modern management. Although historical baselines often cannot be restored, conservation strategies can leverage genomic insights to enhance future adaptive potential and long-term resilience of threatened species.</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":"1049-1058"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145440073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Knecht, Anthony Mastracci Iv, Riley Harbert, Fatima Charles, Laura L Kuperman-Yao, Tyler Miyawaki, Gregory L Gedman, Kathleen M Pirovich, Jason Herrick, Linda Lay, Alba Ledesma, Steve Metzler, Dennis Milutinovitch, James B Papizan, Parker Pennington, Lexie Russell, Kerry Ryan, Kanokwan Srirattana, Kaitlin Steiger, Darya A Tourzani, Kelcey Walker, Rafael V Sampaio, Sven Bocklandt, Ben Lamm, Matt James, Shawn Walker, Beth Shapiro, James Kehler
{"title":"Rapid derivation of cloning-competent cells from peripheral blood advances conservation biobanking.","authors":"Laura Knecht, Anthony Mastracci Iv, Riley Harbert, Fatima Charles, Laura L Kuperman-Yao, Tyler Miyawaki, Gregory L Gedman, Kathleen M Pirovich, Jason Herrick, Linda Lay, Alba Ledesma, Steve Metzler, Dennis Milutinovitch, James B Papizan, Parker Pennington, Lexie Russell, Kerry Ryan, Kanokwan Srirattana, Kaitlin Steiger, Darya A Tourzani, Kelcey Walker, Rafael V Sampaio, Sven Bocklandt, Ben Lamm, Matt James, Shawn Walker, Beth Shapiro, James Kehler","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esag048","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jhered/esag048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Establishing viable cell lines from endangered species is essential for conservation, yet traditional fibroblast derivation from skin biopsies faces challenges including contamination risk and extended culture timelines. Here, we demonstrate that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and pericytes isolated from peripheral blood represent robust alternatives to fibroblasts for biobanking. Compared to canid fibroblasts, canid blood-derived cells exhibit 2- to 3-fold faster doubling rates (15 to 20 h vs. ~35 h for fibroblasts) and reduced time to banked cell lines (1.5 to 2 wks vs. 3 to 4 wks for fibroblasts). Proteomic profiling of 32 canonical markers confirmed EPCs and pericytes represent distinct populations with lineage-specific molecular signatures. Optical genome mapping demonstrated equivalent genomic stability across cell types with no detectable structural variants or aneuploidies. Finally, interspecific somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) experiments confirmed both EPCs and pericytes generate viable canid embryos with efficiency meeting or exceeding fibroblasts. As a proof of concept for conservation cloning, iSCNT embryos made with gray wolf blood-derived cells had a 15% implantation rate following embryo transfer and resulted in six viable fetuses. These findings support integrating blood-derived cell banking into conservation programs, which enables opportunistic genetic preservation during standard management activities and expands options for genetic rescue through assisted reproductive technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":"1118-1129"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539446/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148334502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alexandra L DeCandia, Stavi R Tennenbaum, Rachel Santymire, Travis Livieri, Robyn Bortner, Della Garelle, Adrienne Crosier, Paul Marinari, Budhan S Pukazhenthi, Pierre Comizzoli, Jesús E Maldonado, Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Bridgett M vonHoldt
{"title":"Ex situ reared black-footed ferrets exhibit altered sperm DNA methylation.","authors":"Alexandra L DeCandia, Stavi R Tennenbaum, Rachel Santymire, Travis Livieri, Robyn Bortner, Della Garelle, Adrienne Crosier, Paul Marinari, Budhan S Pukazhenthi, Pierre Comizzoli, Jesús E Maldonado, Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Bridgett M vonHoldt","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esaf056","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jhered/esaf056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Many endangered species rely on ex situ management for survival when external threats exist on the landscape. Yet, ex situ settings pose challenges through space limitation, altered environment, and diet. This can lead to environmentally determined inbreeding depression, where ex situ animals exhibit reduced reproductive fitness compared with their in situ counterparts, despite originating from the same genetic stock. We investigated epigenetic differences as a potential mechanism underlying environmentally determined inbreeding depression in black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), a North American endemic species reliant on ex situ conservation. More specifically, we explored how environmental context may influence sperm DNA methylation in samples collected from 12 ex situ and 5 in situ males. Average sperm DNA methylation was significantly higher in ex situ individuals. We additionally identified more than 500 differentially methylated regions between ex situ and in situ sperm samples that were enriched for gene ontology terms pertaining to reproduction and development. Putative genes of interest included NPR2, WEE2, SLC15A1, PDE10A, PIP5K1B, CACNA1E, and CACNA1A, all of which have previously been linked to spermatogenesis, sperm motility, or fertilization in mammals. Results suggest that environmental conditions may alter sperm DNA methylation in black-footed ferrets, with possible links to decreased reproductive success in ex situ settings. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying environmentally determined inbreeding depression in black-footed ferrets and other conservation-reliant species, and can serve as a foundation for future research on improving reproductive health in endangered wildlife.</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":"1093-1106"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Polygenic and monogenic adaptation drive evolutionary rescue at different magnitudes of environmental change.","authors":"Tatiana Bellagio, Moises Exposito-Alonso","doi":"10.1093/jhered/esag026","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jhered/esag026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the genetic basis of rapid adaptation is key to predicting species' evolutionary responses to environmental change. However, it is still debatable whether many small-effect mutations or a few large-effect mutations underlie rapid adaptation, and how this knowledge can predict population survival or extinction. To address this question, we performed a series of ecologically grounded forward-in-time genetic simulations to study rapid adaptation and extinction with increasing magnitudes of environmental change. These simulations were seeded with genomic variation of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana to have a realistic genomic structure, with one (monogenic) to 1,000 (polygenic) variants with varying heritabilities contributing to an environmental adaptive trait. Our results revealed two distinct scenarios of rapid adaptation and population rescue. Under small-to-moderate environmental shifts, high polygenic traits increased evolutionary rescue probability. Under extreme environmental shifts, high polygenic traits lead predictably to extinction, yet monogenic traits sometimes produce one-off winning adaptive genotypes. We interpret our rapid evolutionary rescue findings in terms of the fundamental theorem of natural selection, where trait polygenicity shapes the distribution of genetic variance in fitness across replicates and, in turn, the probability of population survival, with polygenic architectures producing more stable and predictable fitness variance and monogenic architectures generating highly skewed and variable outcomes. These results highlight the insights genomics gives us into the (un)predictability of species' evolutionary responses to global change, with management implications for assisted adaptation and conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":54811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Heredity","volume":" ","pages":"1073-1086"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539452/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147640712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}