A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Genome-Wide Changes in Genetic Diversity in a Population of Myotis lucifugus Affected by White-Nose Syndrome
Authors: Thomas M. Lilley, Ian W. Wilson, Kenneth A. Field, DeeAnn M. Reeder, Megan E. Vodzak, Gregory G. Turner, Allen Kurta, Anna S. Blomberg, Samantha Hoff, Carl J. Herzog, Brent J. Sewall, Steve Paterson
Publisher: GENETICS SOCIETY AMERICA
Publication year: 2020
Journal: G3: genes, genomes, genetics
Journal name in source: G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
Journal acronym: G3-GENES GENOM GENET
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
First page : 2007
Last page: 2020
Number of pages: 14
ISSN: 2160-1836
eISSN: 2160-1836
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.119.400966
Web address : https://www.g3journal.org/content/10/6/2007
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/48477418
Novel pathogens can cause massive declines in populations, and even extirpation of hosts. But disease can also act as a selective pressure on survivors, driving the evolution of resistance or tolerance. Bat white-nose syndrome (WNS) is a rapidly spreading wildlife disease in North America. The fungus causing the disease invades skin tissues of hibernating bats, resulting in disruption of hibernation behavior, premature energy depletion, and subsequent death. We used whole-genome sequencing to investigate changes in allele frequencies within a population of Myotis lucifugus in eastern North America to search for genetic resistance to WNS. Our results show low F-ST values within the population across time, i.e., prior to WNS (Pre-WNS) compared to the population that has survived WNS (Post-WNS). However, when dividing the population with a geographical cut-off between the states of Pennsylvania and New York, a sharp increase in values on scaffold GL429776 is evident in the Post-WNS samples. Genes present in the diverged area are associated with thermoregulation and promotion of brown fat production. Thus, although WNS may not have subjected the entire M. lucifugus population to selective pressure, it may have selected for specific alleles in Pennsylvania through decreased gene flow within the population. However, the persistence of remnant sub-populations in the aftermath of WNS is likely due to multiple factors in bat life history.
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