Genetic Population Structure and Allele Surfing During Range Expansion in Dynamic Habitats
Authored by Rosana T Braga, Joao F M Rodrigues, Jose A F Diniz-Filho, Thiago F Rangel
Date Published: 2019
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201920180179
Sponsors:
Brazilian Ministry of Education (CAPES)
Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Model Code URLs:
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Abstract
Expanding populations may loss genetic diversity because sequential
founder events throughout a wave of demographic expansion may cause
``allele surfing{''}, as the alleles of founder individuals may
propagate rapidly through space. The spatial components of allele
surfing have been studied by geneticists, but have never been
investigate on dynamic and shifting habitats. Here we used an
individual-based-model (IBM) to study how interactions between different
habitat restoration scenarios and biological characteristics (dispersal
capacity) affect the spatial patterns of the genetic structure of a
population during demographic expansion. We found that both habitat
dynamics and dispersal capacity, as well as their interaction, were the
drivers of emergent pattern of genetic diversity and allele surfing.
Specifically, allele surfing is more common when a species with low
dispersal capacity colonizes a large geographic area with slow
restoration (low carrying capacity). Despite this, we showed that allele
surfing can be reduced, or even avoided, by dispersal management through
suitable habitat restoration. Thus, investigating how colonization
generates a spatial variation in genetic diversity, and which parameters
control the emergent genetic pattern, are essential steps to planning
assisted gene flow, which is fundamental for an effective planning of
habitat restoration.
Tags
Simulation
Diversity
Dispersal
Long-distance dispersal
Consequences
Wave
Load
Mutations
Habitat suitability
Fate
Allele surfing
Individual-based-model
Contractions