Genomic and fitness consequences of a near-extinction event in the northern elephant seal.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the genetic and fitness consequences of anthropogenic bottlenecks is crucial for biodiversity conservation. However, studies of bottlenecked populations combining genomic approaches with fitness data are rare. Theory predicts that severe bottlenecks deplete genetic diversity, exacerbate inbreeding depression and decrease population viability. However, actual outcomes are complex and depend on how a species' unique demography affects its genetic load. We used population genetic and veterinary pathology data, demographic modelling, whole-genome resequencing and forward genetic simulations to investigate the genomic and fitness consequences of a near-extinction event in the northern elephant seal. We found no evidence of inbreeding depression within the contemporary population f

SUBMITTER: Hoffman JI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11618080 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature