Maximizing the protection of life on Earth requires knowledge of the global patterns of biodiversity at multiple dimensions, from genetic diversity within species, to species and ecosystem diversity. Yet, the lack of genetic sequences with geographic information at global scale has so far hindered our ability to map genetic diversity, an important, but hard to detect, biodiversity dimension.
In a new study, researchers from the Universities of Copenhagen and Adelaide have collected and georeferenced a massive amount of genetic data for terrestrial mammals and evaluated long-standing theories that could explain the global distribution of genetic diversity. They found that regions of the world rich in deep evolutionary history, such as Northern Andes, the Eastern Arc Mountains, Amazonia, the Brazilian Atlantic forest, the central America jungles, sub-Saharan Africa and south-eastern Asia are also strongholds of genetic diversity. They also show that the relatively stable climate in these regions during the past 21'000 years contributes significantly to this intraspecific richness.
"Genetic diversity within species is a critical component of biodiversity, playing two important roles at the same time. It reflects species evolutionary history and defines their capacity to adapt under future environmental change. However, and despite the predictions of major biodiversity theories, the actual global distribution of genetic diversity remained, so far, a mystery. Recent collective efforts to populate public databases with genetic sequences and their localities allowed us to evaluate these theories and generate the first global maps of genetic diversity in terrestrial mammal assemblages", says Spyros Theodoridis, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, GLOBE Institute, and lead author of the study.
"The tropics, and more specifically tropical mountain regions, host large amounts of the global pool of genetic diversity. These arks of biodiversity are under a high pressure today due to climate and land-use change. The conservation of genetic diversity in these areas should be a priority in on-going conservation efforts", says David Nogues-Bravo, the senior author of the study and Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen.
The study also evaluated the effects of climate change during the last 21'000 years in shaping current patterns of genetic diversity. Regions of the world that experienced less severe change in temperature and precipitation harbor higher levels of genetic diversity, potentially due to reduced population extinctions. It also suggests that past inter-annual precipitation variability contributes to higher genetic diversity possibly through population adaptive divergence.
"While we show that areas of high genetic diversity tend to occur in regions where climates have remained relatively unchanged during past periods of global-scale climate change, many of these regions are forecast to experience major climate disturbances in the near future. Unfortunately, this is likely to lead to a loss of genetic diversity in many biodiversity hotspots", says Damien Fordham, Associate Professor at The University of Adelaide's Environment Institute and a coauthor of the study.
"The identified correlations of genetic diversity with evolutionary history and past climate change allowed us to develop predictive models at global scale, particularly in regions that lack sufficient data, such as the tropics. These predictions constitute a first step towards filling major gaps of knowledge for genetic diversity, and can inform and be further validated by field-work campaigns in data-poor regions of the Earth", says Carsten Rahbek, head of the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate.
See the rest here:
Researchers uncover the arks of genetic diversity in terrestrial mammals - Jill Lopez
- Genetics - Definition, History and Impact | Biology Dictionary - June 2nd, 2024
- Gene | Definition, Structure, Expression, & Facts | Britannica - June 2nd, 2024
- Raha Kapoor's blue eyes remind fans of her great-grandfather, Raj Kapoor; here's what genetics says - IndiaTimes - December 30th, 2023
- Human genetics | Description, Chromosomes, & Inheritance - December 13th, 2023
- BASIC GENETICS INFORMATION - Understanding Genetics - NCBI Bookshelf - December 13th, 2023
- Introduction to Genetics - Open Textbook Library - December 13th, 2023
- "When them genetics kick in its all over" - NBA fans send in rib-tickling reactions as LeBron James attends Zhuri James' volleyball game -... - October 16th, 2023
- David Liu, chemist: We now have the technology to correct misspellings in our DNA that cause known genetic diseases - EL PAS USA - April 7th, 2023
- World Health Day 2023: Understanding the science of Epi-genetics and how to apply it in our daily lives - Free Press Journal - April 7th, 2023
- Genetics - National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) - March 29th, 2023
- GENETICS 101 - Understanding Genetics - NCBI Bookshelf - March 29th, 2023
- People always think Im skinny because of good genetics theyre shocked when they see what I used to lo... - The US Sun - March 29th, 2023
- Forensics expert explains 'genetic genealogy' process believed to be used in Kohberger's arrest - KTVB.com - January 6th, 2023
- Idaho student murders: What is genetic genealogy, a tool reportedly used to help capture the suspect? - FOX 10 News Phoenix - January 6th, 2023
- What is a Genetic Counselor and How Can They Help You Navigate Your Healthcare Journey? - ABC4.com - December 3rd, 2022
- Ancient Art and Genetics Reveal Origin of World's Most Expensive Spice - The Wire Science - June 26th, 2022
- Myriad Genetics Teams Up with Epic to Make Genetic Testing Accessible to More Patients with Electronic Health Record (EHR) Integration - GlobeNewswire - June 26th, 2022
- Obesity and genetics: Expert shares insights - Hindustan Times - June 26th, 2022
- Researchers discover genetic variants that increase Alzheimer's risk - WCVB Boston - June 26th, 2022
- Where science meets fiction: the dark history of eugenics - The Guardian - June 26th, 2022
- Clinical Conference: A Discussion with BASE10 Genetics - Skilled Nursing News - June 26th, 2022
- Genetics Really Said Copy And Paste: People Are Amazed At How Similar This Woman Looks To Her Dad In These 5 Recreation Photos - Bored Panda - June 26th, 2022
- 49 Genetic Variants That Increase the Risk of Varicose Veins Identified - Technology Networks - June 26th, 2022
- Genetic relationships and genome selection signatures between soybean cultivars from Brazil and United States after decades of breeding | Scientific... - June 26th, 2022
- Earlham woman loses weight with ChiroThin after her own doctor told her "genetics" wouldn't allow that to happen | Paid Content - Local 5 -... - June 26th, 2022
- Science and genetics used to boost Fernside farm - New Zealand Herald - June 26th, 2022
- Genetics-based guidelines to buying a bull at an auction - Farmer's Weekly SA - June 26th, 2022
- Polio: we're developing a safer vaccine that uses no genetic material from the virus - The Conversation - June 26th, 2022
- 7 lifestyle habits which can halve your risk of dementia - World Economic Forum - June 26th, 2022
- Addressing the 'Trust Factor': South Carolina Researchers Tackle Health Disparities Using Genetics - Physician's Weekly - June 8th, 2022
- Dumb luck, genetics? Why have some people never caught COVID-19? | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - June 8th, 2022
- Genetics Breakthrough in Sea Urchins to Aid in Biomedical Research - Scripps Institution of Oceanography - June 8th, 2022
- Genetic Control Of Autoimmune Disease Mapped To Cellular Level - Bio-IT World - June 8th, 2022
- Bazelet to Supply Its Federally Legal Cannabis Genetics to DEA Approved Research Entities for Rigorous Scientific Research on the Clinical Effects of... - June 8th, 2022
- Alameda County Awaits Key Decision Regarding The Use of Genetic Testing in Asbestos Cases - JD Supra - June 8th, 2022
- Diversity in Genetic Research Is Key to Enhancing Treatment of Chronic Diseases in Africa - Technology Networks - June 8th, 2022
- CSU partners with American Hereford Association on genetics research - Beef Magazine - June 8th, 2022
- Unraveling the Tangled History of Polar Bears to Brown Bears Using Genetic Sequencing - Nature World News - June 8th, 2022
- Did My Lifestyle or Genetics Cause ATTR-CM? Learning More About This Heart Condition That Often Goes Misdiagnosed - SurvivorNet - June 8th, 2022
- Your genes affect your education. Here's why that's controversial. - Big Think - June 8th, 2022
- Study mines cancer genetics to help with targeted treatment - ABC News - April 26th, 2022
- It's in the genetics - Deccan Herald - April 26th, 2022
- Genetic, clinic and histopathologic characterization of BRCA-associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in southwestern Finland | Scientific... - April 26th, 2022
- Treating, preventing cancer beyond genetics: U of A researcher - Edmonton Journal - April 26th, 2022
- Lionheart Cannabis' genetic strains stand the test of time - Billings Gazette - April 26th, 2022
- PhD Candidate in Rare Genetic Diseases job with NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU | 291220 - Times Higher Education - April 26th, 2022
- Armidale researchers hope genetic selection will be key to raising steaks with lower emissions - ABC News - April 26th, 2022
- How a Venture Investor with a PhD in Genetics Helped This Biotech Firm Get Started, Funded, and Acquired - Inc. - October 5th, 2021
- The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition Announces a Groundbreaking Project to Explore the Genetics of MSA - Johnson City Press (subscription) - October 5th, 2021
- This startup wants to keep your dog alive longer based on genetic info - The American Genius - October 5th, 2021
- Threatened rattlesnakes' inbreeding makes species more resistant to bad mutations - The Ohio State University News - October 5th, 2021
- Opportunities in the Animal Genetics Market to 2026: Asia Pacific Set to Witness Rapid Growth in - GlobeNewswire - October 5th, 2021
- The Jackson Laboratory appoints Dr. Lon Cardon as its next president and chief executive officer - Yahoo Finance - October 5th, 2021
- Genetic discrimination: The next great health battle likely to wash up on NZ shores - Newstalk ZB - October 5th, 2021
- Sarepta Therapeutics Opens Genetic Therapies Center of Excellence in Columbus, Ohio - Yahoo Finance - October 5th, 2021
- Supreme Court issues notice to government on admission to Medical Genetics courses - The Hindu - October 5th, 2021
- 'Forest Genetics and the Tree of Life': Local forester to speak at Weldon Baptist about God, living things - The Daily Herald - October 5th, 2021
- My mother and I have the same mental health disorders. But is it genetic? - Broadview Magazine - October 5th, 2021
- Researchers unravel the genetic cause of a childhood disorder and a potential way to prevent it with drugs - FierceBiotech - October 5th, 2021
- Germline genetic testing can benefit all cancer patients as a routine practice in cancer care - PRNewswire - May 27th, 2021
- Increasing genetic diversity in crops is important - Farm Progress - May 27th, 2021
- Atlas of Cocaines Effects on Gene Expression Mapped at Single-Cell Level in Fruit Fly Brain - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News - May 27th, 2021
- Genetic breakthrough could save farmed salmon from flavobacteriosis - The Fish Site - May 27th, 2021
- What genetic analysis reveals about the ancestry of South Africa's Afrikaners - The Conversation CA - May 27th, 2021
- People with rare diseases being left behind by Irish health system - The Irish Times - May 27th, 2021
- Discovery of a new genetic cause of hearing loss illuminates how inner ear works - National Science Foundation - May 27th, 2021
- 'Genelection': Should We Select Children Based on Their Genetic Scores? - American Council on Science and Health - May 27th, 2021
- How Big Data Are Unlocking the Mysteries of Autism - Scientific American - May 2nd, 2021
- Demand for Genetic and DNA Testing Spurring Adoption of Genealogy Products and Services: Fact.MR - BioSpace - May 2nd, 2021
- Researchers Create CRISPR 'On-Off Switch' to Control Inherited Genetic Problems Without Changing DNA - Good News Network - May 2nd, 2021
- Genetic Counseling, the barriers to access, and how we overcome them - WFMZ Allentown - May 2nd, 2021
- Diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, young Winston Salem boy improves with new medication - WXII12 Winston-Salem - May 2nd, 2021
- Google News' "Genetics" Section Is Full of Articles About People Named Gene - Futurism - February 14th, 2021
- Global Animal Genetics Market Forecast to 2027 by Product (Poultry, Porcine, Bovine, Canine), Material (Semen and Embryo), and Services (DNA Typing,... - February 14th, 2021
- Genetics the next frontier of healthcare - Bangkok Post - Bangkok Post - February 14th, 2021
- Front Range Biosciences Introduces A New Class of THCv Genetics That Will Boost Market Opportunities for New Consumer Experiences and Functional... - February 14th, 2021
- Canine genetics, health to be explored at summit - VeterinaryPracticeNews.com - February 14th, 2021
- Drug Resistance Conferring Mutation and Genetic Diversity of Mycobacte | IDR - Dove Medical Press - February 14th, 2021
- Genetic Origins of Canine Hip Dysplasia Evaluated in Validation Study - Business Wire - February 14th, 2021
- Genetic analysis of symptoms yields new insights into PTSD - Yale News - January 29th, 2021