Skip to main content

Genomic signatures of near-extinction and rebirth of the crested ibis and other endangered bird species.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Li, S; Li, B; Cheng, C; Xiong, Z; Liu, Q; Lai, J; Carey, HV; Zhang, Q; Zheng, H; Wei, S; Zhang, H; Chang, L; Liu, S; Zhang, S; Yu, B ...
Published in: Genome Biol
2014

BACKGROUND: Nearly one-quarter of all avian species is either threatened or nearly threatened. Of these, 73 species are currently being rescued from going extinct in wildlife sanctuaries. One of the previously most critically-endangered is the crested ibis, Nipponia nippon. Once widespread across North-East Asia, by 1981 only seven individuals from two breeding pairs remained in the wild. The recovering crested ibis populations thus provide an excellent example for conservation genomics since every individual bird has been recruited for genomic and demographic studies. RESULTS: Using high-quality genome sequences of multiple crested ibis individuals, its thriving co-habitant, the little egret, Egretta garzetta, and the recently sequenced genomes of 41 other avian species that are under various degrees of survival threats, including the bald eagle, we carry out comparative analyses for genomic signatures of near extinction events in association with environmental and behavioral attributes of species. We confirm that both loss of genetic diversity and enrichment of deleterious mutations of protein-coding genes contribute to the major genetic defects of the endangered species. We further identify that genetic inbreeding and loss-of-function genes in the crested ibis may all constitute genetic susceptibility to other factors including long-term climate change, over-hunting, and agrochemical overuse. We also establish a genome-wide DNA identification platform for molecular breeding and conservation practices, to facilitate sustainable recovery of endangered species. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate common genomic signatures of population decline across avian species and pave a way for further effort in saving endangered species and enhancing conservation genomic efforts.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Genome Biol

DOI

EISSN

1474-760X

Publication Date

2014

Volume

15

Issue

12

Start / End Page

557

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Population Density
  • Genome
  • Genetic Variation
  • Gene Deletion
  • Extinction, Biological
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Endangered Species
  • Climate Change
  • Breeding
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Li, S., Li, B., Cheng, C., Xiong, Z., Liu, Q., Lai, J., … Yan, J. (2014). Genomic signatures of near-extinction and rebirth of the crested ibis and other endangered bird species. Genome Biol, 15(12), 557. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-014-0557-1
Li, Shengbin, Bo Li, Cheng Cheng, Zijun Xiong, Qingbo Liu, Jianghua Lai, Hannah V. Carey, et al. “Genomic signatures of near-extinction and rebirth of the crested ibis and other endangered bird species.Genome Biol 15, no. 12 (2014): 557. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-014-0557-1.
Li S, Li B, Cheng C, Xiong Z, Liu Q, Lai J, et al. Genomic signatures of near-extinction and rebirth of the crested ibis and other endangered bird species. Genome Biol. 2014;15(12):557.
Li, Shengbin, et al. “Genomic signatures of near-extinction and rebirth of the crested ibis and other endangered bird species.Genome Biol, vol. 15, no. 12, 2014, p. 557. Pubmed, doi:10.1186/s13059-014-0557-1.
Li S, Li B, Cheng C, Xiong Z, Liu Q, Lai J, Carey HV, Zhang Q, Zheng H, Wei S, Zhang H, Chang L, Liu S, Zhang S, Yu B, Zeng X, Hou Y, Nie W, Guo Y, Chen T, Han J, Wang J, Chen C, Liu J, Stambrook PJ, Xu M, Zhang G, Gilbert MTP, Yang H, Jarvis ED, Yu J, Yan J. Genomic signatures of near-extinction and rebirth of the crested ibis and other endangered bird species. Genome Biol. 2014;15(12):557.

Published In

Genome Biol

DOI

EISSN

1474-760X

Publication Date

2014

Volume

15

Issue

12

Start / End Page

557

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Population Density
  • Genome
  • Genetic Variation
  • Gene Deletion
  • Extinction, Biological
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Endangered Species
  • Climate Change
  • Breeding