136795 - Transcriptomics of Tasmanian devil.pdf (2.14 MB)
Transcriptomics of Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) ear tissue reveals homogeneous gene expression patterns across a heterogeneous landscape
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 09:48 authored by Fraik, AK, Quackenbush, C, Margres, MJ, Comte, S, David HamiltonDavid Hamilton, Kozakiewicz, CP, Menna JonesMenna Jones, Rodrigo Hamede RossRodrigo Hamede Ross, Hohenlohe, PA, Storfer, A, Kelley, JLIn an era of unprecedented global change, exploring patterns of gene expression among wild populations across their geographic range is crucial for characterizing adaptive potential. RNA-sequencing studies have successfully characterized gene expression differences among populations experiencing divergent environmental conditions in a wide variety of taxa. However, few of these studies have identified transcriptomic signatures to multivariate, environmental stimuli among populations in their natural environments. Herein, we aim to identify environmental and sex-driven patterns of gene expression in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a critically endangered species that occupies a heterogeneous environment. We performed RNA-sequencing on ear tissue biopsies from adult male and female devils from three populations at the extremes of their geographic range. There were no transcriptome-wide patterns of differential gene expression that would be suggestive of significant, environmentally-driven transcriptomic responses. The general lack of transcriptome-wide variation in gene expression levels across the devil’s geographic range is consistent with previous studies that documented low levels of genetic variation in the species. However, genes previously implicated in local adaptation to abiotic environment in devils were enriched for differentially expressed genes. Additionally, three modules of co-expressed genes were significantly associated with either population of origin or sex.
Funding
National Science Foundation
History
Publication title
GenesVolume
10Issue
10Article number
801Number
801Pagination
1-15ISSN
2073-4425Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
MDPIPlace of publication
SwitzerlandRights statement
Copyright 2019 The Authors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Repository Status
- Open