Fitness benefits of genetic rescue despite chromosomal differences in an endangered pocket mouse

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Wilder, Aryn P.; Shier, Debra M.; King, Shauna N. D.; Dudchenko, Olga; Funk, Erik R.; Misuraca, Ann; Houck, Marlys L.; Miller, William B.; Curry, Caitlin J.; Fronczek, Julie; Khan, Ruqayya; Weisz, David; Fisher, Robert N.; Aiden, Erez Lieberman; Ryder, Oliver A.; Steiner, Cynthia C.
• 署名单位: University of California System; University of California Los Angeles; Baylor College of Medicine; Rice University; United States Department of the Interior; US Fish & Wildlife Service; United States Department of the Interior; United States Geological Survey; Rice University; University of Texas System; University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-8263
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adn4666
• 发表日期: 2025-08-21
• 页码: 835-839
• 关键词: outbreeding depression; perognathus-longimembris; inbreeding depression; read alignment; genome; populations; heteromyidae; reproduction; california; heterozygosity

摘要

Two-thirds of Earth's species have undergone population declines, leaving many vulnerable to genomic erosion and inbreeding depression. Genetic rescue can boost the fitness of small populations, but perceived risks of outbreeding depression can limit its use. We quantified these trade-offs in hundreds of endangered Pacific pocket mice (Perognathus longimembris pacificus) by combining whole-genome sequences with fitness data. The impacts of genomic erosion in remnant populations were reversed in an admixed breeding program, suggesting the potential benefits of genetic rescue. However, differences in chromosome numbers increase the risk of genetic incompatibilities. Fitness analyses suggested that although admixed karyotypes may have reduced fertility, non-admixed mice with low heterozygosity and high genetic load had even lower fitness, pointing to a greater risk of extinction if populations remain isolated.