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Giraffe lineages are shaped by major ancient admixture events

Authors :
Bertola, Laura D.
Quinn, Liam
Hanghøj, Kristian
Garcia-Erill, Genís
Rasmussen, Malthe Sebro
Balboa, Renzo F.
Meisner, Jonas
Bøggild, Thomas
Wang, Xi
Lin, Long
Nursyifa, Casia
Liu, Xiaodong
Li, Zilong
Chege, Mumbi
Moodley, Yoshan
Brüniche-Olsen, Anna
Kuja, Josiah
Schubert, Mikkel
Agaba, Morris
Santander, Cindy G.
Sinding, Mikkel Holger S.
Muwanika, Vincent
Masembe, Charles
Siegismund, Hans R.
Moltke, Ida
Albrechtsen, Anders
Heller, Rasmus
Bertola, Laura D.
Quinn, Liam
Hanghøj, Kristian
Garcia-Erill, Genís
Rasmussen, Malthe Sebro
Balboa, Renzo F.
Meisner, Jonas
Bøggild, Thomas
Wang, Xi
Lin, Long
Nursyifa, Casia
Liu, Xiaodong
Li, Zilong
Chege, Mumbi
Moodley, Yoshan
Brüniche-Olsen, Anna
Kuja, Josiah
Schubert, Mikkel
Agaba, Morris
Santander, Cindy G.
Sinding, Mikkel Holger S.
Muwanika, Vincent
Masembe, Charles
Siegismund, Hans R.
Moltke, Ida
Albrechtsen, Anders
Heller, Rasmus
Source :
Bertola , L D , Quinn , L , Hanghøj , K , Garcia-Erill , G , Rasmussen , M S , Balboa , R F , Meisner , J , Bøggild , T , Wang , X , Lin , L , Nursyifa , C , Liu , X , Li , Z , Chege , M , Moodley , Y , Brüniche-Olsen , A , Kuja , J , Schubert , M , Agaba , M , Santander , C G , Sinding , M H S , Muwanika , V , Masembe , C , Siegismund , H R , Moltke , I , Albrechtsen , A & Heller , R 2024 , ' Giraffe lineages are shaped by major ancient admixture events ' , Current Biology , vol. 34 , no. 7 , pp. 1576-1586.e5 .
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Strong genetic structure has prompted discussion regarding giraffe taxonomy,1,2,3 including a suggestion to split the giraffe into four species: Northern (Giraffa c. camelopardalis), Reticulated (G. c. reticulata), Masai (G. c. tippelskirchi), and Southern giraffes (G. c. giraffa).4,5,6 However, their evolutionary history is not yet fully resolved, as previous studies used a simple bifurcating model and did not explore the presence or extent of gene flow between lineages. We therefore inferred a model that incorporates various evolutionary processes to assess the drivers of contemporary giraffe diversity. We analyzed whole-genome sequencing data from 90 wild giraffes from 29 localities across their current distribution. The most basal divergence was dated to 280 kya. Genetic differentiation, FST, among major lineages ranged between 0.28 and 0.62, and we found significant levels of ancient gene flow between them. In particular, several analyses suggested that the Reticulated lineage evolved through admixture, with almost equal contribution from the Northern lineage and an ancestral lineage related to Masai and Southern giraffes. These new results highlight a scenario of strong differentiation despite gene flow, providing further context for the interpretation of giraffe diversity and the process of speciation in general. They also illustrate that conservation measures need to target various lineages and sublineages and that separate management strategies are needed to conserve giraffe diversity effectively. Given local extinctions and recent dramatic declines in many giraffe populations, this improved understanding of giraffe evolutionary history is relevant for conservation interventions, including reintroductions and reinforcements of existing populations.<br />Strong genetic structure has prompted discussion regarding giraffe taxonomy,1,2,3 including a suggestion to split the giraffe into four species: Northern (Giraffa c. camelopardalis), Reticulated (G. c. reticulata), Masai (G. c. tippelskirchi), and Southern giraffes (G. c. giraffa).4,5,6 However, their evolutionary history is not yet fully resolved, as previous studies used a simple bifurcating model and did not explore the presence or extent of gene flow between lineages. We therefore inferred a model that incorporates various evolutionary processes to assess the drivers of contemporary giraffe diversity. We analyzed whole-genome sequencing data from 90 wild giraffes from 29 localities across their current distribution. The most basal divergence was dated to 280 kya. Genetic differentiation, FST, among major lineages ranged between 0.28 and 0.62, and we found significant levels of ancient gene flow between them. In particular, several analyses suggested that the Reticulated lineage evolved through admixture, with almost equal contribution from the Northern lineage and an ancestral lineage related to Masai and Southern giraffes. These new results highlight a scenario of strong differentiation despite gene flow, providing further context for the interpretation of giraffe diversity and the process of speciation in general. They also illustrate that conservation measures need to target various lineages and sublineages and that separate management strategies are needed to conserve giraffe diversity effectively. Given local extinctions and recent dramatic declines in many giraffe populations, this improved understanding of giraffe evolutionary history is relevant for conservation interventions, including reintroductions and reinforcements of existing populations.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Journal :
Bertola , L D , Quinn , L , Hanghøj , K , Garcia-Erill , G , Rasmussen , M S , Balboa , R F , Meisner , J , Bøggild , T , Wang , X , Lin , L , Nursyifa , C , Liu , X , Li , Z , Chege , M , Moodley , Y , Brüniche-Olsen , A , Kuja , J , Schubert , M , Agaba , M , Santander , C G , Sinding , M H S , Muwanika , V , Masembe , C , Siegismund , H R , Moltke , I , Albrechtsen , A & Heller , R 2024 , ' Giraffe lineages are shaped by major ancient admixture events ' , Current Biology , vol. 34 , no. 7 , pp. 1576-1586.e5 .
Notes :
application/pdf, English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1439557491
Document Type :
Electronic Resource