Extensive Admixture Among Karst‐Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence of Recent Divergence and Gene Exchange Through Aquifers
ABSTRACT Karst ecosystems often contain extraordinary biodiversity, but the complex underground aquifers of karst regions present challenges for assessing and conserving stygobiont diversity and investigating their evolutionary history. We examined the karst‐obligate salamanders of the Eurycea neote...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70785 |
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| author | Chris C. Nice Katherine L. Bell Zachariah Gompert Lauren K. Lucas James R. Ott Ruben U. Tovar Paul Crump Peter H. Diaz |
| author_facet | Chris C. Nice Katherine L. Bell Zachariah Gompert Lauren K. Lucas James R. Ott Ruben U. Tovar Paul Crump Peter H. Diaz |
| author_sort | Chris C. Nice |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Karst ecosystems often contain extraordinary biodiversity, but the complex underground aquifers of karst regions present challenges for assessing and conserving stygobiont diversity and investigating their evolutionary history. We examined the karst‐obligate salamanders of the Eurycea neotenes species complex in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas using population genomics data to address questions about population connectivity and the potential for gene exchange within the underlying aquifer system. The E. neotenes species complex has historically been divided into three nominal species, but their status, and spatial extent of species ranges, have remained uncertain. We discovered evidence of extensive admixture among species within the complex and with adjacent lineages. We observed relatively low levels of differentiation among all sampling localities which supports the hypothesis of recent divergence. Nominal taxonomy, aquifer region and geography each accounted for a modest amount of the overall population genomic variation; however, these predictors were largely confounded and difficult to disentangle. Importantly, current taxonomy of the three nominal species does not reflect the admixture apparent in clustering analyses. Inference of migration events revealed a complex pattern of gene exchange, suggesting that Eurycea salamanders have a dynamic history of dispersal through the aquifer system. These results highlight the need for greater understanding of how stygobiont populations are connected via dispersal and gene exchange through karst aquifers. These results also highlight the applicability of population genomics data as a powerful lever for investigating connectivity among populations in systems where direct detection of dispersal paths is difficult, as in underground, aquatic systems. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-d5913bcc0b004cebb0379607f60188e22025-01-29T05:08:41ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582025-01-01151n/an/a10.1002/ece3.70785Extensive Admixture Among Karst‐Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence of Recent Divergence and Gene Exchange Through AquifersChris C. Nice0Katherine L. Bell1Zachariah Gompert2Lauren K. Lucas3James R. Ott4Ruben U. Tovar5Paul Crump6Peter H. Diaz7Department of Biology, Population and Conservation Biology Program Texas State University San Marcos Texas USADepartment of Biology University of Nevada Reno Nevada USADepartment of Biology Utah State University Logan Utah USADepartment of Biology Utah State University Logan Utah USADepartment of Biology, Population and Conservation Biology Program Texas State University San Marcos Texas USADepartment of Integrative Biology The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USANongame and Rare Species Program, Wildlife Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin Texas USAUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office San Marcos Texas USAABSTRACT Karst ecosystems often contain extraordinary biodiversity, but the complex underground aquifers of karst regions present challenges for assessing and conserving stygobiont diversity and investigating their evolutionary history. We examined the karst‐obligate salamanders of the Eurycea neotenes species complex in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas using population genomics data to address questions about population connectivity and the potential for gene exchange within the underlying aquifer system. The E. neotenes species complex has historically been divided into three nominal species, but their status, and spatial extent of species ranges, have remained uncertain. We discovered evidence of extensive admixture among species within the complex and with adjacent lineages. We observed relatively low levels of differentiation among all sampling localities which supports the hypothesis of recent divergence. Nominal taxonomy, aquifer region and geography each accounted for a modest amount of the overall population genomic variation; however, these predictors were largely confounded and difficult to disentangle. Importantly, current taxonomy of the three nominal species does not reflect the admixture apparent in clustering analyses. Inference of migration events revealed a complex pattern of gene exchange, suggesting that Eurycea salamanders have a dynamic history of dispersal through the aquifer system. These results highlight the need for greater understanding of how stygobiont populations are connected via dispersal and gene exchange through karst aquifers. These results also highlight the applicability of population genomics data as a powerful lever for investigating connectivity among populations in systems where direct detection of dispersal paths is difficult, as in underground, aquatic systems.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70785Euryceagene flowgenomic differentiationPlethodontidaepopulation genomics |
| spellingShingle | Chris C. Nice Katherine L. Bell Zachariah Gompert Lauren K. Lucas James R. Ott Ruben U. Tovar Paul Crump Peter H. Diaz Extensive Admixture Among Karst‐Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence of Recent Divergence and Gene Exchange Through Aquifers Ecology and Evolution Eurycea gene flow genomic differentiation Plethodontidae population genomics |
| title | Extensive Admixture Among Karst‐Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence of Recent Divergence and Gene Exchange Through Aquifers |
| title_full | Extensive Admixture Among Karst‐Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence of Recent Divergence and Gene Exchange Through Aquifers |
| title_fullStr | Extensive Admixture Among Karst‐Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence of Recent Divergence and Gene Exchange Through Aquifers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Extensive Admixture Among Karst‐Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence of Recent Divergence and Gene Exchange Through Aquifers |
| title_short | Extensive Admixture Among Karst‐Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence of Recent Divergence and Gene Exchange Through Aquifers |
| title_sort | extensive admixture among karst obligate salamanders reveals evidence of recent divergence and gene exchange through aquifers |
| topic | Eurycea gene flow genomic differentiation Plethodontidae population genomics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70785 |
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