Genomic comparisons reveal biogeographic and anthropogenic impacts in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): a dietary-specialist species distributed across heterogeneous environments
The Australian koala is an iconic marsupial with highly specific dietary requirements distributed across heterogeneous environments, over a large geographic range. The distribution and genetic structure of koala populations has been heavily influenced by human actions, specifically habitat modification, hunting and translocation of koalas. There is currently limited information on population diversity and gene flow at a species-wide scale, or with consideration to the potential impacts of local adaptation. Using species-wide sampling across heterogeneous environments, and high-density genome-wide markers (SNPs and PAVs), we show that most koala populations display levels of diversity comparable to other outbred species, except for those populations impacted by population reductions. Genetic clustering analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction reveals a lack of support for current taxonomic classification of three koala subspecies, with only a single evolutionary significant unit supported. Furthermore, similar to 70% of genetic variance is accounted for at the individual level. The Sydney Basin region is highlighted as a unique reservoir of genetic diversity, having higher diversity levels (i.e., Blue Mountains region; AvHe(corr)-0.20, PL% = 68.6). Broad-scale population differentiation is primarily driven by an isolation by distance genetic structure model (49% of genetic variance), with clinal local adaptation corresponding to habitat bioregions. Signatures of selection were detected between bioregions, with no single region returning evidence of strong selection. The results of this study show that although the koala is widely considered to be a dietary-specialist species, this apparent specialisation has not limited the koala's ability to maintain gene flow and adapt across divergent environments as long as the required food source is available.
1.James Cook Univ, Ctr Sustainable Trop Fisheries & Aquaculture, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia 2.Univ Sydney, Fac Sci, Sydney Sch Vet Sci, Private Mail Bag 4003, Narellan, NSW 2570, Australia 3.Sci Wildlife, POB 286, Cammeray, NSW 2062, Australia 4.San Diego Zoo Inst Conservat Res, Escondido, CA 92027 USA 5.James Cook Univ, Ctr Trop Biodivers & Climate Change, Div Res & Innovat, Cairns, Qld 4878, Australia 6.Univ Queensland, Sch Agr & Food Sci, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia 7.Ecoplan Australia, POB 968, Torquay, Vic 3228, Australia 8.Univ Sydney, Fac Sci, Sydney Sch Vet Sci, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Recommended Citation:
Kjeldsen, Shannon R.,Raadsma, Herman W.,Leigh, Kellie A.,et al. Genomic comparisons reveal biogeographic and anthropogenic impacts in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): a dietary-specialist species distributed across heterogeneous environments[J]. HEREDITY,2019-01-01,122(5):525-544