Doctoral Dissertation Research: Landscape Mitogenomics and High Altitude Adaptation in Primates

遗传多样性对濒危物种的生存至关重要，它取决于物种在不同景观中分散的能力，从而在不同群体之间共享遗传变异。本博士论文项目利用转化基因组学方法研究一种极度濒危灵长类动物的种群遗传学和传播能力，以更好地了解人类活动对种群结构的影响、地理隔离群体的状况以及对高海拔环境的潜在遗传适应。在进行实地工作的同时，这位博士生还与国际研究合作者合作，他们也将帮助在灵长类动物栖息地附近的社区发起保护教育计划。这位博士生还在实验室和野外工作期间录制视频博客，作为高中生保护遗传学教育计划的一部分分享。该项目使用转化基因组学方法研究了一种稀有灵长类动物的传播能力和整体保护状况。从几组野生灵长类动物收集的粪便样本进行处理，以便使用便携式基因组学技术对整个线粒体基因组进行测序。单倍型和核苷酸多样性统计以及系统基因组学方法用于区分种群，并结合基于gis的景观量化来评估种群连通性和人类引起的栖息地破碎化的影响。基于基因组的与氧利用效率相关的线粒体位点选择评估用于评估该物种基于海拔的分散的潜在生理限制。该项目可以验证使用非侵入性收集的粪便样本和当地便携式现场实验室设备对全线粒体基因组进行测序的过程，以实现全物种群体遗传学的目的。该研究结果还可能揭示影响种群间基因流动的景观、环境和迁徙行为的重要因素，这可以指导当地保护利益相关者关于保护区的形成、走廊的形成或迁徙和基因流动的维持，以及社区保护计划可能最需要的地方。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Genetic diversity is important to the survival of endangered species and depends on a species’ ability to disperse across landscapes to share genetic variation between groups. This doctoral dissertation project uses transformative genomic methods to examine the population genetics and dispersal ability of a critically endangered primate, to better understand the influence of human activities on population structure, the status of geographically isolated groups, and potential genetic adaptations to high-elevation environments. While conducting field work, the doctoral student works with international research collaborators who will also aid in initiating conservation educational programming in communities near sampled primate habitats. The doctoral student also records video blogs during lab and field work, to be shared as part of educational programming focused on conservation genetics for high school students. The project examines dispersal ability and overall conservation status of a rare primate using transformative genomics methods. Fecal samples collected from several groups of wild primates are processed in order to sequence the whole mitochondrial genome using portable genomics technologies. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity statistics along with phylogenomic methods are used to differentiate between populations and are combined with GIS-based landscape quantification to assess population connectivity and the impact of human-induced habitat fragmentation. Genome-based assessments of selection on mitochondrial loci related to oxygen use efficiency are used to assess potential physiological limitations to dispersal based on altitude in this species. This project can validate the process of using non-invasively collected fecal samples and local, portable field lab equipment to sequence whole mitochondrial genomes for the purpose of species-wide population genetics. The outcomes of this study may also reveal important factors of landscape, environment and migratory behavior that impact gene flow between populations, which can guide local conservation stakeholders regarding protected area formation, corridor formation or maintenance for migration and gene flow, and where community-based conservation programs may be most needed.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.