Biology subjects

Rougemont, Q.

Publications and source records attributed to Rougemont, Q..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Combining population genomics and forward simulations to investigate stocking impacts: A case study of Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) from the St. Lawrence River basin

Understanding the genetic and evolutionary impacts of fish stocking on wild populations has long been of interest as negative consequences such as reduced fitness and loss of genetic resources are commonly reported. Nearly five decades of extensive stocking of over a million Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) in the Lower St. Lawrence River (Quebec, Canada) was implemented by managers in an attempt to sustain a fishery. We investigated the effect of stocking on this native species genetic structure and allelic diversity in the St. Lawrence river and its tributaries as well as several stocked inland lakes. Using Genotype-By-Sequencing (GBS), we genotyped 643 individuals representing 22 sampling sites and combined this information with forward simulations to investigate the genetic consequences of stocking. Individuals native to the St. Lawrence watershed were genetically divergent from the sources used for stocking and both the St. Lawrence tributaries and inland lakes were also naturally divergent from the main stem. Empirical data and simulations revealed weak effects of stocking on admixture patterns within the St. Lawrence despite intense stocking in the past, whereas footprints of admixture were higher in the smaller stocked populations from tributaries and lakes. Altogether, our data suggests that selection against introgression has been relatively efficient within the large St. Lawrence River. In contrast, the smaller populations from adjacent tributaries and lakes still displayed stocking related admixture which apparently resulted in higher genetic diversity, suggesting that, while stocking stopped at the same time, its impact remained higher in these populations. Finally, the origin of populations from inland lakes that were established by stocking confirmed their close affinity with these source populations. This study illustrates the benefit of combining extensive genomic data with forward simulations for improved inferences regarding outcomes of population enhancement by stocking, as well as its relevance for fishery management decision making.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Secondary contacts between European white oaks reveal genes underlying reproductive isolation

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWOaks are dominant forest tree species widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, where they constitute natural resources of economic, ecological, social and historical value. Hybridization and adaptive introgression have long been thought to be major drivers of their ecological success. Thus, the maintenance of species barriers remains a key question, given the extent of interspecific gene flow. In this study, we scanned the genomes of four European white oak species for reproductive barriers. We identified the ecological and phylogenic relationships of these species and inferred a long-term strict isolation followed by a recent and extensive postglacial contact. Then, we made use of the tremendous genetic variation among these species (31 million SNPs) to identify genomic regions for reproductive isolation. A literature-based functional annotation of the underlying genes highlighted important functions driving the reproductive isolation between these sister species. These functions were consistent with their ecological preferences and included tolerance to biotic and abiotic constraints. This study holds important implications for the renewal of European forests under global warming.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Reconstructing The Demographic History Of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Across Its Distribution Range Using Approximate Bayesian Computations

Understanding the dual roles of demographic and selective processes in the buildup of population divergence is one of the most challenging tasks in evolutionary biology. In the Northern hemisphere in particular, species genetic makeup has been largely influenced by severe climatic oscillations of the Quaternary Period. Here, we investigated the demographic history of Atlantic Salmon across the entire species range using 2035 anadromous individuals from 77 sampling sites from North America and Eurasia genotyped at 4,656 SNPs. By combining results from admixture graphs, geogenetic maps and an approximate Bayesian computation framework, we validate previous hypotheses pertaining to secondary contact between European and Northern American populations, but also demonstrate that European populations from different glacial refugia have been exchanging alleles in contemporary times. We further identify the major sources of admixture from the southern range of North America to more northern populations along with a strong signal of secondary gene flow between genetic regional groups. We hypothesize that these patterns reflects the spatial redistribution of ancestral variation across the entire American range. Results also point to a role for linked selection in the form of background selection and or positive hitchhiking. Altogether, differential introgression and linked selective effects likely played an underappreciated role in shaping the genomic landscape of species in the Northern hemisphere Therefore we conclude that such heterogeneity among loci should be systematically integrated into demographic inferences of the divergence process, even between incompletely reproductively isolated populations.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Migration Harshness Drives Habitat Choice And Local Adaptation In Anadromous Arctic Char: Evidence From Integrating Population Genomics And Acoustic Telemetry

Migration is a ubiquitous life history trait with profound evolutionary and ecological consequences. Recent developments in telemetry and genomics, when combined, can bring significant insights on the migratory ecology of non-model organisms in the wild. Here, we used this integrative approach to document dispersal, gene flow and potential for local adaptation in anadromous Arctic Char from six rivers in the Canadian Arctic. Acoustic telemetry data from 124 tracked individuals indicated asymmetric dispersal, with a large proportion of fish (72%) tagged in three different rivers migrating up the same short river in the fall. Population genomics data from 6,136 SNP markers revealed weak, albeit significant, population differentiation (average pairwise FST = 0.011) and asymmetric dispersal was also revealed by population assignments. Approximate Bayesian Computation simulations suggested the presence of asymmetric gene flow, although in the opposite direction to that observed from the telemetry data, suggesting that dispersal does not necessarily lead to gene flow. These observations suggested that Arctic Char home to their natal river to spawn, but may overwinter in rivers with the shortest migratory route to minimize the costs of migration in non-breeding years. Genome scans and genetic-environment associations identified 90 outlier markers putatively under selection, 23 of which were in or near a gene. Of these, at least four were involved in muscle and cardiac function, consistent with the hypothesis that migratory harshness could drive local adaptation. Our study illustrates the power of integrating genomics and telemetry to study migrations in non-model organisms in logistically challenging environments such as the Arctic.

evolutionary biology↗