Genome-wide analyses suggest parallel selection for universal traits may eclipse local environmental selection in a...

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Conservation Genetics

Background:

• Ecological heterogeneity drives genetic differentiation in mobile species.
• Wolves (Canis lupus) display distinct north-south population differentiation across Europe.
• Local adaptation is expected over short distances with environmental gradients.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate genetic signatures of local adaptation in European wolves.
• Identify specific genes and genomic regions under selection.
• Correlate genetic variation with environmental variables.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed over 67,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in 59 wolves from four population clusters.
• Employed outlier locus identification and genome-wide association study (GWAS).
• Examined candidate SNP regions in the dog genome for homologous genes.

Main Results:

• Identified 353 candidate SNP loci associated with local adaptation.
• Found genes related to temperature regulation and universally important traits (olfaction, vision, hearing, cognition).
• Observed strong outliers possibly linked to unmeasured environmental or demographic factors.

Conclusions:

• European wolf populations show evidence of local adaptation, particularly in genes affecting temperature regulation.
• Selection on universally important traits may obscure local adaptation signals.
• Genetic patterns suggest long-term separation and distinct evolutionary trajectories among wolf populations.