Population genomics of rapidly evolving functional gene motifs

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We are currently in a period of global warming that is having dramatic effects on species distributions worldwide. Geographic expansions of northern range boundaries are occurring for many species, while the range margins at their southern peripheral distribution are impacted by less suitable habitat and increased isolation resulting from anthropogenic activities and increased biotic stress. These distributional changes will have profound effects on biodiversity and ecological processes. The rapid pace of climate change is predicted to significantly impact the future seasonal timing (phenology), range distribution and physiology of wildlife and the impacts on reproduction will be particularly significant. Understanding how standing genetic variation and genomic elements operating at higher rates of change contribute to adaptability will be important to wildlife populations "response capacity" or "adaptive potential". The advancement of next-generation genomic platforms applied to the comprehensive study of flying squirrels (Glaucomys) and deer mice (Peromyscus) will provide a model of adaptability to shifting photoperiods with warming temperatures and range shifts. This study will provide a framework to apply to other mammals to assess impacts on short- and long-lived mammals as well as seasonal and more flexible breeding strategies. There is a significant and recently recognized need to identify and characterize the genes responding to climate change. Targeting gene motifs that may rapidly change to key up with the rate of environmental change is an important first step to move from correlative findings with latitude to a mechanistic understanding within the emerging fields of Conservation and Landscape Genomics: critical components in developing models on a species' natural resilience and potentially implementing solutions, such as connected protected areas, by mapping and maintaining adaptive functional genetic diversity.