Extreme genomic erosion after recurrent demographic bottlenecks in the highly endangered Iberian lynx.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genomic studies of endangered species provide insights into their evolution and demographic history, reveal patterns of genomic erosion that might limit their viability, and offer tools for their effective conservation. The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most endangered felid and a unique example of a species on the brink of extinction.

Results

We generate the first annotated draft of the Iberian lynx genome and carry out genome-based analyses of lynx demography, evolution, and population genetics. We identify a series of severe population bottlenecks in the history of the Iberian lynx that predate its known demographic decline during the 20th century and have greatly impacted its genome evolution. We observe drastically reduced rates of weak-to-strong substi

SUBMITTER: Abascal F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5155386 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature