Ecological genomics and conservation of caribou in Western North America
Date
2020-09-09
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Abstract
Selection can favor different phenotypes along environmental clines. Clines are also compatible with balancing forces, which maintain phenotypic polymorphisms within populations -for example, migratory or sedentary behaviour in caribou. The use of genomics is fundamental to evaluate such evolutionary processes and, in conjunction with ecological information, has also been advocated for to inform conservation planning for endangered caribou. I examined Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) across caribou populations from western North America. I detected population structure and genes under selection within each caribou group. I also analysed seasonal movements and habitat selection using GPS telemetry, and morphological information gathered at capture. Some of the genes under selection in my study were linked to morphological characteristics, migratory behavior, habitat selection and climatic and environmental factors. These findings suggest that exclusive mutations, resulting in different phenotypes, are maintained within caribou groups. Moreover, I detected a signal of balancing selection, a genetic force that maintains genetic polymorphisms within populations. I suggest that this force has a fundamental role in maintaining multiple haplotypes and phenotypes within caribou populations, also including partial migration. In this thesis, I identified genes under selection and patterns of population structure that should be considered in conservation planning and management of caribou populations. Habitats and climate are dramatically changing worldwide, and the genetic aspects of selectivity, that I described, could indicate that caribou may be challenged in their ability to adapt to certain changes. For example, my results indicate a specialization of caribou for cold climates and seasonal foraging in pristine environments, with genes linked to these specializations. In addition, as part of conservation planning, caribou breeding programs have been proposed. A fundamental aspect of these programs is deciding the best source animals, from wild populations, to be used to found captive populations. My population structure results could help inform these programs, as I “practically” suggested for the Southern Canadian Rockies region. Overall, I used an integrative and innovative approach to investigate the link between movement ecology, morphology, genomics, with applications to caribou conservation and conservation of other species, in which genetic traits may also influence behaviour, and limit resilience to changing habitats and climates.
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Cavedon, M. (2020). Ecological genomics and conservation of caribou in Western North America (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.