Prioritizing Conservation Areas for the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in Brazil From Low‐Coverage Genomic Data

ABSTRACT Estimates of current genetic diversity and population connectivity are especially important for endangered species that are subject to illegal harvesting and trafficking. Genetic monitoring can also ensure that management units are sustaining viable populations, while estimating genetic str...

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Main Authors: Sibelle Torres Vilaça, Jeronymo Dalapicolla, Renata Soares, Neiva Maria Robaldo Guedes, Cristina Y. Miyaki, Alexandre Aleixo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-11-01
Series:Evolutionary Applications
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.70039
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author Sibelle Torres Vilaça
Jeronymo Dalapicolla
Renata Soares
Neiva Maria Robaldo Guedes
Cristina Y. Miyaki
Alexandre Aleixo
author_facet Sibelle Torres Vilaça
Jeronymo Dalapicolla
Renata Soares
Neiva Maria Robaldo Guedes
Cristina Y. Miyaki
Alexandre Aleixo
author_sort Sibelle Torres Vilaça
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Estimates of current genetic diversity and population connectivity are especially important for endangered species that are subject to illegal harvesting and trafficking. Genetic monitoring can also ensure that management units are sustaining viable populations, while estimating genetic structure and population dynamics can influence genetic rescue efforts and reintroduction from captive breeding and confiscated animals. The Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is a charismatic endangered species with a fragmented (allopatric) distribution. Using low coverage genomes, we aimed to investigate the dynamics across the remaining three large disjunct populations of Hyacinth Macaws in Brazil to inform conservation strategies. We obtained low coverage DNA data for 54 individuals from seven sampling sites. Our results showed that Hyacinth Macaws have four genetically structured clusters with relatively high levels of diversity. The Pantanal biome had two genetically distinct populations, with no obvious physical barriers that might explain this differentiation. We detected signs of gene flow between populations, with some geographical regions being more connected than others. Estimates of effective population size in the past million years of the species' evolutionary history showed a decline trend with the lowest Ne in all populations reached within the last few thousand years. Our findings suggest that populations from the Pantanal biome are key to connecting sites across its distribution, and maintaining the integrity of this habitat is important for protecting the species. Given the genetic structure found, we also highlight the need of conserving all wild populations to ensure the protection of the species' evolutionary potential.
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spelling doaj-art-2af8bb5b03504b8fa8854635bbec6f872025-08-20T02:28:27ZengWileyEvolutionary Applications1752-45712024-11-011711n/an/a10.1111/eva.70039Prioritizing Conservation Areas for the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in Brazil From Low‐Coverage Genomic DataSibelle Torres Vilaça0Jeronymo Dalapicolla1Renata Soares2Neiva Maria Robaldo Guedes3Cristina Y. Miyaki4Alexandre Aleixo5Instituto Tecnológico Vale Belém Pará BrazilInstituto Tecnológico Vale Belém Pará BrazilInstituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo BrazilInstituto Arara Azul Campo Grande Mato Grosso do Sul BrazilInstituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo BrazilInstituto Tecnológico Vale Belém Pará BrazilABSTRACT Estimates of current genetic diversity and population connectivity are especially important for endangered species that are subject to illegal harvesting and trafficking. Genetic monitoring can also ensure that management units are sustaining viable populations, while estimating genetic structure and population dynamics can influence genetic rescue efforts and reintroduction from captive breeding and confiscated animals. The Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is a charismatic endangered species with a fragmented (allopatric) distribution. Using low coverage genomes, we aimed to investigate the dynamics across the remaining three large disjunct populations of Hyacinth Macaws in Brazil to inform conservation strategies. We obtained low coverage DNA data for 54 individuals from seven sampling sites. Our results showed that Hyacinth Macaws have four genetically structured clusters with relatively high levels of diversity. The Pantanal biome had two genetically distinct populations, with no obvious physical barriers that might explain this differentiation. We detected signs of gene flow between populations, with some geographical regions being more connected than others. Estimates of effective population size in the past million years of the species' evolutionary history showed a decline trend with the lowest Ne in all populations reached within the last few thousand years. Our findings suggest that populations from the Pantanal biome are key to connecting sites across its distribution, and maintaining the integrity of this habitat is important for protecting the species. Given the genetic structure found, we also highlight the need of conserving all wild populations to ensure the protection of the species' evolutionary potential.https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.70039Arara‐azul‐grandeconservation geneticsgenomic monitoringisolation by environmentparrotsPsittacidae
spellingShingle Sibelle Torres Vilaça
Jeronymo Dalapicolla
Renata Soares
Neiva Maria Robaldo Guedes
Cristina Y. Miyaki
Alexandre Aleixo
Prioritizing Conservation Areas for the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in Brazil From Low‐Coverage Genomic Data
Evolutionary Applications
Arara‐azul‐grande
conservation genetics
genomic monitoring
isolation by environment
parrots
Psittacidae
title Prioritizing Conservation Areas for the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in Brazil From Low‐Coverage Genomic Data
title_full Prioritizing Conservation Areas for the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in Brazil From Low‐Coverage Genomic Data
title_fullStr Prioritizing Conservation Areas for the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in Brazil From Low‐Coverage Genomic Data
title_full_unstemmed Prioritizing Conservation Areas for the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in Brazil From Low‐Coverage Genomic Data
title_short Prioritizing Conservation Areas for the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in Brazil From Low‐Coverage Genomic Data
title_sort prioritizing conservation areas for the hyacinth macaw anodorhynchus hyacinthinus in brazil from low coverage genomic data
topic Arara‐azul‐grande
conservation genetics
genomic monitoring
isolation by environment
parrots
Psittacidae
url https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.70039
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