Phylogeography of moose in western North America

DeCesare, Nicholas J.; Weckworth, Byron V.; Pilgrim, Kristine L.; Walker, Andrew B. D.; Bergman, Eric J.; Colson, Kevin E.; Corrigan, Rob.; Harris, Richard B.; Hebblewhite, Mark; Jesmer, Brett R.; Newby, Jesse R.; Smith, Jason Scott; Tether, Rob B.; Thomas, Timothy P.; Schwartz, Michael K.

doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyz163

Cited by 11 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…We only detected low levels of inbreeding arising from long ROH (≥2 Mb), commonly caused by recent mating with relatives during bottlenecks [53,54]. This result is at odds with previous studies which identified limited mitochondrial and nuclear diversity in moose populations from Europe [21,28] and North America [27,56]. Moreover, evidence for a severe reduction in effective population size to less than 3% of their former size (down to N e~4 00), lasting for hundreds of generations and possibly dating back as early as the fifteenth century, has been previously reported in Swedish moose populations [21].…”

Section: Moose Genomic Diversitycontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…While inbreeding was generally low, it is however worth noting that the two Rocky Mountain moose (A. a. shirasi) specimens had the largest inbreeding coefficients and the longest ROH (~4-5 Mb). This is consistent with these southernmost North American populations being founded from relatively few individuals after the declines of the late 1800s and with low gene flow from northern populations until the middle of the 20th century [27].…”

Section: Moose Genomic Diversitysupporting

confidence: 84%

“…A northward shift of Eurasian boreal forests at the end of the LGM not only facilitated the recolonisation of higher latitudes but also allowed moose to colonize North America some 15–10 ka BP [ 19 , 23 – 25 ], prior to the flooding of the Beringian land bridge some 14–11 ka BP [ 26 ]. Consistent with this hypothesis, there is no evidence of moose south of the Wisconsin glaciation ice sheets earlier than 15 ka BP in the fossil record [ 27 ]. However, the divergence between Yukon and British Columbia moose was estimated to 25–20 ka BP, and among other lineages to 17–13ka BP, suggesting that this colonisation may actually predate the end of the last glaciation [ 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consistent with this hypothesis, there is no evidence of moose south of the Wisconsin glaciation ice sheets earlier than 15 ka BP in the fossil record [ 27 ]. However, the divergence between Yukon and British Columbia moose was estimated to 25–20 ka BP, and among other lineages to 17–13ka BP, suggesting that this colonisation may actually predate the end of the last glaciation [ 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Population declines during the Holocene contributed to shaping the current pattern of genetic diversity, where the Scandinavian population shows the lowest genetic diversity and highest inbreeding [ 17 , 20 ]. Similarly, the species experienced a recent bottleneck in North America associated with a human-induced decline in the 1800s [ 27 ], which could potentially have exposed them to the negative effects of inbreeding.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Moose genomes reveal past glacial demography and the origin of modern lineages

et al. 2020

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Background Numerous megafauna species from northern latitudes went extinct during the Pleistocene/Holocene transition as a result of climate-induced habitat changes. However, several ungulate species managed to successfully track their habitats during this period to eventually flourish and recolonise the holarctic regions. So far, the genomic impacts of these climate fluctuations on ungulates from high latitudes have been little explored. Here, we assemble a de-novo genome for the European moose (Alces alces) and analyse it together with re-sequenced nuclear genomes and ancient and modern mitogenomes from across the moose range in Eurasia and North America. Results We found that moose demographic history was greatly influenced by glacial cycles, with demographic responses to the Pleistocene/Holocene transition similar to other temperate ungulates. Our results further support that modern moose lineages trace their origin back to populations that inhabited distinct glacial refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Finally, we found that present day moose in Europe and North America show low to moderate inbreeding levels resulting from post-glacial bottlenecks and founder effects, but no evidence for recent inbreeding resulting from human-induced population declines. Conclusions Taken together, our results highlight the dynamic recent evolutionary history of the moose and provide an important resource for further genomic studies.

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Section: Moose Genomic Diversitycontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Moose Genomic Diversitysupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Moose genomes reveal past glacial demography and the origin of modern lineages

et al. 2020

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Genome-wide SNP analysis of three moose subspecies at the southern range limit in the contiguous United States

et al. 2021

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Genome-wide evaluations of genetic diversity and population structure are important for informing management and conservation of trailing-edge populations. North American moose (Alces alces) are declining along portions of the southern edge of their range due to disease, species interactions, and marginal habitat, all of which may be exacerbated by climate change. We employed a genotyping by sequencing (GBS) approach in an effort to collect baseline information on the genetic variation of moose inhabiting the species’ southern range periphery in the contiguous United States. We identified 1920 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 155 moose representing three subspecies from five states: A. a. americana (New Hampshire), A. a. andersoni (Minnesota), and A. a. shirasi (Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming). Molecular analyses supported three geographically isolated clusters, congruent with currently recognized subspecies. Additionally, while moderately low genetic diversity was observed, there was little evidence of inbreeding. Results also indicated > 20% shared ancestry proportions between A. a. shirasi samples from northern Montana and A. a. andersoni samples from Minnesota, indicating a putative hybrid zone warranting further investigation. GBS has proven to be a simple and effective method for genome-wide SNP discovery in moose and provides robust data for informing herd management and conservation priorities. With increasing disease, predation, and climate related pressure on range edge moose populations in the United States, the use of SNP data to identify gene flow between subspecies may prove a powerful tool for moose management and recovery, particularly if hybrid moose are more able to adapt.

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Genetic diversity and connectivity of moose (Alces americanus americanus) in eastern North America

et al. 2023

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Genetic diversity is critical to a population’s ability to overcome gradual environment change. Large-bodied wildlife existing in regions with relatively high human population density are vulnerable to isolation-induced genetic drift, population bottlenecks, and loss of genetic diversity. Moose (Alces americanus americanus) in eastern North America have a complex history of drastic population changes. Current and potential threats to moose populations in this region could be exacerbated by loss of genetic diversity and connectivity among subpopulations. Existing genetic diversity, gene flow, and population clustering and fragmentation of eastern North American moose are not well quantified, while physical and anthropogenic barriers to population connectivity already exist. Here, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of 507 moose spanning five northeastern U.S. states and one southeastern Canadian province indicated low diversity, with a high proportion of the genomes sharing identity-by-state, with no consistent evidence of non-random mating. Gene flow estimates indicated bidirectionality between all pairs of sampled areas, with magnitudes reflecting clustering and differentiation patterns. A Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components analysis indicated that these genotypic data were best described with four clusters and indicated connectivity across the Saint Lawrence River and Seaway, a potential physical barrier to gene flow. Tests for genetic differentiation indicated restricted gene flow between populations across the Saint Lawrence River and Seaway, and between many sampled areas facing expanding human activity. These results document current genetic variation and connectivity of moose populations in eastern North America, highlight potential challenges to current population connectivity, and identify areas for future research and conservation.

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Phylogeography of moose in western North America

Cited by 11 publications

References 77 publications

Moose genomes reveal past glacial demography and the origin of modern lineages

Moose genomes reveal past glacial demography and the origin of modern lineages

Genome-wide SNP analysis of three moose subspecies at the southern range limit in the contiguous United States

Genetic diversity and connectivity of moose (Alces americanus americanus) in eastern North America

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