Genetic Connectivity Research Articles

Biodiversity and genetic connectivity of Brachyura and Anomura (Decapoda) from artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Artificial reefs act as islands of biodiversity that provide substrate where sessile organisms can settle and mobile invertebrates and fishes can find shelter and food. Though these structures are common and widespread in the Gulf of Mexico, their community composition is not well understood. We aimed to ameliorate understanding of the invertebrate communities living on artificial reefs in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico by using molecular techniques and morphological examination to describe the biodiversity and genetic connectivity of crabs (Infraorders Anomura and Brachyura) living on and among artificial reefs near Pensacola, FL, USA. Specimens (N = 1,241) were collected from six artificial reefs using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) after four, six, and ten months of submergence, respectively, and were identified using DNA barcoding and morphological examination. Spatial and temporal trends in biodiversity were examined by comparing Hill-Shannon and Hill-Simpson diversities, richness, and canonical correspondence analysis. Population genetic analyses were performed on the two most commonly recovered species, Pseudomedaeus agassizii (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880) and Hexapanopeus paulensis (Rathbun, 1930). A total of 11 taxa were identified, and artificial reef shape was found to be influential in shaping spatial patterns of biodiversity. Species turnover was common across the ten months of sampling, and richness peaked at the ten-month mark. Population genetics revealed that there is high gene flow between the six sampling locations. This study is the first to describe the biodiversity of crab communities on artificial reefs in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico.

The misplaced embryo: legal parenthood in ‘embryo mix-up’ cases

Recently in Israel, a woman was mistakenly implanted with an embryo that is genetically related to another couple. Unfortunately, this case is not an isolated occurrence, as other cases of...

High‐frequency variability dominates potential connectivity between remote coral reefs

AbstractCoral larval dispersal establishes connectivity between reefs, but larval fluxes vary over timescales from daily to multidecadal due to oceanographic variability. Using a 2‐km‐resolution ocean model, we simulate daily spawning events from 1993 to 2019 and assess the potential connectivity between all reefs in the tropical southwest Indian Ocean. Although there is a significant seasonal cycle in potential connectivity, day‐to‐day variability generally dominates. Larval dispersal pathways on any particular day provide limited information about the dispersal pathways a few days later. The magnitude of this high‐frequency variability depends on the local geography and oceanography, with small and isolated reefs generally subject to the most variability. Stochastic oceanographic variability introduces considerable uncertainty to dispersal predictions, imposing fundamental limitations on what simulations can tell us about inter‐reef connectivity. Protracted spawning over only a few days can significantly reduce variability associated with the likelihood of a larva settling. The duration of spawning is therefore a more important parameter in modeling coral connectivity than the exact timing of spawning onset. Finally, we find that a small proportion of spawning events account for the majority of settling larvae, particularly at remote islands, and demonstrate that a time‐mean picture of dispersal may be inappropriate for predicting demographic and genetic connectivity. Given the diversity of coral reef environments in the southwest Indian Ocean, we expect that these results will apply to inter‐reef coral connectivity across the tropics more broadly, as well as other weakly swimming reef taxa with the potential for long‐distance dispersal.

Genetic Connectivity of Roundjaw Bonefish Albula glossodonta (Elopomorpha, Albulidae) in the Central Pacific Ocean Resolved through ddRAD-Based Population Genomics

Bonefishes are a nearshore species targeted by non-commercial anglers and subsistence fishers in the Central and South Pacific islands. Among the bonefish species in the Indo-Pacific region, Albula glossodonta are known to have one of the widest geographic ranges, from the Red Sea to the Central Pacific, but it is unknown how dispersive A. glossodonta are between geographically isolated islands. Volunteer anglers collected A. glossodonta fin clips from the main Hawaiian Islands in the North Pacific, Anaa Atoll in the South Pacific, and intermediate Kiritimati Island (Line Islands) to assess the scale of dispersal and population structure within the Pacific Ocean. Population genomics was conducted based on 208 individuals and 7225 SNPs. Although adult A. glossodonta exhibit strong site fidelity, genomic results show no population differentiation between Oahu and Maui in Hawai‘i. Bonefishes exhibit significant population structure between Anaa and Hawai‘i (FST = 0.096), with intermediate Kiritimati comprising admixed fishes. A lengthy larval duration likely promotes connectivity between Pacific islands. Regional management regimes may be most appropriate for a species with this level of dispersal.

Insights on the connectivity, genetic diversity, and population structure of Arctodiaptomus dorsalis (Marsh, 1907) (Copepoda: Calanoida: Diaptomidae) in the Philippines

Abstract The freshwater calanoid copepod Arctodiaptomus dorsalis (Marsh, 1907) was first recorded from the Philippines in 2001 in Laguna de BayThe copepod gained the status of “invasive species” in 2021 due to its presence in 23 of 32 surveyed Philippine lakes and rivers. Genomic DNA was extracted from 107 individuals of A. dorsalis, representing seven populations on the island of Luzon to gather information on the population structure, genetic connectivity, and range expansion of the species.. A 720-bp fragment of the nuclear ITS1 and ITS2 spacers was used to analyze the genetic structure of the populations. High haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.7951), low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0024), and low genetic distance between populations indicate high levels of gene flow and low levels of isolation. Six of the 12 haplotypes were unique to particular sites, but the three shared haplotypes suggest panmixia among populations. Tajima’s D (D = 0.4945) and Fu’s F (F = -2.8950) suggest a recent increase in population size following a bottleneck. This may have occurred as the result of the copepod’s suspected initial introduction into the Philippines after 1905 via the trade in ornamental aquarium fish, eventually followed by its expansion into nearby inland waters through one or more aquaculture-mediated introduction events. Laguna de Bay’s role since 1972 as the main source of tilapia fingerlings (Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)) for release into various Philippine lakes provides circumstantial support for this scenario.

Improving Breeding Value Reliability with Genomic Data in Breeding Groups of Charolais.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of incorporating genomic data using the single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) method compared to the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) method on the reliability of breeding values for age at first calving, calving interval, and productive longevity at 78 months in Charolais cattle. The study included 48,590 purebred Charolais individuals classified into four subgroups based on genotyping and performance records. The results showed that considering genotypes significantly improved genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) reliability across all categories except nongenotyped individuals. For young genotyped individuals, the increase in reliability was up to 27% for both sexes. The highest average reliability was achieved for genotyped proven bulls and cows with performance records, and the inclusion of genomic data further improved the reliability by up to 22% and 21% for cows and bulls, respectively. The gain in reliability was observed mainly during the first three calvings, and then the differences decreased. The imported individuals showed lower estimated breeding values (EBV) and GEBV reliabilities than the domestic population, probably due to the weak genetic connection with the domestic population. However, when the progeny of imported heifers were sired by domestic bulls, the reliability increased by up to 24%. For nongenotyped individuals, only a slight increase in reliability was observed; however, the number of genotyped individuals in the population was still relatively small.

Unraveling the mitochondrial phylogenetic landscape of Thailand reveals complex admixture and demographic dynamics

The evolutionary dynamics of mitochondrial DNA within the Thai population were comprehensively explored with a specific focus on the influence of South Asian admixture. A total of 166 samples were collected through randomized sampling, ensuring a diverse representation. Our findings unveil substantial genetic and haplogroup diversity within the Thai population. We have identified 164 haplotypes categorized into 97 haplogroups, with a notable inclusion of 20 novel haplogroups. The distribution of haplogroups exhibited variations across different populations and countries. The central Thai population displayed a high diversity of haplogroups from both the M and N clades. Maternal lineage affinities were discerned between several Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) and South Asian populations, implying ancestral genetic connections and a substantial influence of South Asian women in establishing these relationships. f4-statistics indicates the presence of a Tibeto-Burman genetic component within the Mon population from Thailand. New findings demonstrate two phases of population expansion occurring 22,000–26,000 and 2500–3800 years ago, coinciding with the Last Glacial Maximum, and Neolithic demographic transition, respectively. This research significantly enhances our understanding of the maternal genetic history of Thailand and MSEA, emphasizing the influence of South Asian admixture. Moreover, it underscores the critical role of prior information, such as mutation rates, within the Bayesian framework for accurate estimation of coalescence times and inferring demographic history.

Whole mitochondrial genome analysis in highland Tibetans: further matrilineal genetic structure exploration.

Introduction: The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is one of the last terrestrial environments conquered by modern humans. Tibetans are among the few high-altitude settlers in the world, and understanding the genetic profile of Tibetans plays a pivotal role in studies of anthropology, genetics, and archaeology. Methods: In this study, we investigated the maternal genetic landscape of Tibetans based on the whole mitochondrial genome collected from 145 unrelated native Lhasa Tibetans. Molecular diversity indices, haplotype diversity (HD), Tajima's D and Fu's Fs were calculated and the Bayesian Skyline Plot was obtained to determining the genetic profile and population fluctuation of Lhasa Tibetans. To further explore the genetic structure of Lhasa Tibetans, we collected 107 East Asian reference populations to perform principal component analysis (PCA), multidimensional scaling (MDS), calculated Fst values and constructed phylogenetic tree. Results: The maternal genetic landscape of Tibetans showed obvious East Asian characteristics, M9a (28.28%), R (11.03%), F1 (12.41%), D4 (9.66%), N (6.21%), and M62 (4.14%) were the dominant haplogroups. The results of PCA, MDS, Fst and phylogenetic tree were consistent: Lhasa Tibetans clustered with other highland Tibeto-Burman speakers, there was obvious genetic homogeneity of Tibetans in Xizang, and genetic similarity between Tibetans and northern Han people and geographically adjacent populations was found. In addition, specific maternal lineages of Tibetans also be determined in this study. Discussion: In general, this study further shed light on long-time matrilineal continuity on the Tibetan Plateau and the genetic connection between Tibetans and millet famers in the Yellow River Basin, and further revealed that multiple waves of population interaction and admixture during different historical periods between lowland and highland populations shaped the maternal genetic profile of Tibetans.

Geochemical variations of anatectic melts in response to changes of P–T–H2O conditions: Implication for the relationship between dehydration and hydration melting in the Himalayan orogen

The anatectic mechanism is the most fundamental criterion in determining the petrogenetic relationship between migmatite, granulite and granite at convergent plate margins. Although two main anatectic mechanisms, namely water-absent (dehydration) and water-fluxed (hydration) melting, have been identified in many collisional orogens, their spatiotemporal relationship and genetic connection remain obscure. To address this issue, we conduct an integrated study of forward phase equilibrium and trace element modelling for partial melting of metapelite in the Himalayan orogen. The results are used to decipher changes of phase relation and melt composition in response to changes of temperature, pressure and water content. Pressure and water content mainly affect the solidus and evolving residual mineral assemblages, whereas temperature controls the anatectic reaction. Hydration melting at lower pressure and temperature would produce anatectic melts with relatively high SiO2, FeOT + MgO, CaO, K2O, and Ba contents and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios, but low Al2O3 and Na2O contents and Na2O/K2O and Rb/Sr ratios. In contrast, dehydration melting at higher pressure and temperature would generate anatectic melts with relatively high Al2O3 and Na2O contents and Na2O/K2O and Rb/Sr ratios, but low SiO2, FeOT + MgO, CaO, K2O, and Ba contents and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios. A comparison of geochemical compositions between the modelled melts and the two groups of well-characterized leucogranites in the Himalayan orogen indicates that the coeval dehydration and hydration melting would likely occur at the deeper and shallower crustal levels, respectively. In combination with the secular evolution of metamorphic facies series in the Himalayan orogen, we propose a spatiotemporally coupled dehydration-hydration melting mechanism. The early metamorphism at lower geothermal gradients would result in metamorphic dehydration in the lower crust and hydration in the upper crust during the syn-collisional period in the Early Cenozoic. As a result, the later metamorphism at higher geothermal gradients would lead to dehydration melting in the lower crust and hydration melting in the upper crust during the post-collisional period in the Late Cenozoic. This study highlights the applicability of phase equilibrium and trace element modelling to reveal the geochemical variations of anatectic melts in response to changes of P–T–H2O conditions. This provides new insights into the relationship between dehydration and hydration melting in collisional orogens.

Population genomic and biophysical modeling show different patterns of population connectivity in the spiny lobster Jasus frontalis inhabiting oceanic islands

Knowledge about connectivity between populations is essential for the fisheries management of commercial species. The lobster Jasus frontalis inhabits two oceanic island groups, the Juan Fernández Archipelago and the Desventuradas Islands, separated by 800 km. Since this species is primarily exploited in the Juan Fernández Archipelago, knowledge of the connectivity patterns among islands is foundational for species management. Here, we used variability at single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and individual-based modeling (IBM) to estimate the genetic structure and connectivity between J. frontalis populations in these island groups. The variability at 9090 SNPs suggests two genetic populations, one in the Juan Fernández Archipelago and one in the Desventuradas Islands. Furthermore, IBM suggests an asymmetric connectivity pattern, with particles moving from the Juan Fernández Archipelago to the Desventuradas Islands but not vice versa. Since the IBM analysis suggests asymmetric larval movement between the islands, and the genetic analysis indicates isolation between the Juan Fernández Archipelago and the Desventuradas Islands, larval retention mechanisms such as small-scale oceanographic processes or behavior could hinder larval movement between islands. This study highlights the importance of using more than one methodology to estimate population connectivity.

Highly structured populations of deep-sea copepods associated with hydrothermal vents across the Southwest Pacific, despite contrasting life history traits

Hydrothermal vents are extreme environments, where abundant communities of copepods with contrasting life history traits co-exist along hydrothermal gradients. Here, we discuss how these traits may contribute to the observed differences in molecular diversity and population genetic structure. Samples were collected from vent locations across the globe including active ridges and back-arc basins and compared to existing deep-sea hydrothermal vent and shallow water data, covering a total of 22 vents and 3 non-vent sites. A total of 806 sequences of mtDNA from the Cox1 gene were used to reconstruct the phylogeny, haplotypic relationship and demography within vent endemic copepods (Dirivultidae, Stygiopontius spp.) and non-vent-endemic copepods (Ameiridae, Miraciidae and Laophontidae). A species complex within Stygiopontius lauensis was studied across five pacific back-arc basins at eight hydrothermal vent fields, with cryptic species being restricted to the basins they were sampled from. Copepod populations from the Lau, North Fiji and Woodlark basins are undergoing demographic expansion, possibly linked to an increase in hydrothermal activity in the last 10 kya. Highly structured populations of Amphiascus aff. varians 2 were also observed from the Lau to the Woodlark basins with populations also undergoing expansion. Less abundant harpacticoids exhibit little to no population structure and stable populations. This study suggests that similarities in genetic structure and demography may arise in vent-associated copepods despite having different life history traits. As structured meta-populations may be at risk of local extinction should major anthropogenic impacts, such as deep-sea mining, occur, we highlight the importance of incorporating a trait-based approach to investigate patterns of genetic connectivity and demography, particularly regarding area-based management tools and environmental management plans.

Petrogenesis of magnesian troctolitic granulite clasts from Chang'e -5 drilling sample: Implications for the origin of ejecta material from lunar highlands

The lunar soil collected by the Chang'e-5 (CE-5) mission contains both local materials and components of various sources. The latter could have derived from the excavation of impact craters in the highlands away from the landing site, providing valuable information on the composition of the lunar crust beyond the mare basalts sampled by the CE-5 mission. In this study, we examined the mineralogy and petrology of magnesian troctolitic granulites (or troctolites) recovered in the CE-5 soil. The troctolites exhibit a granoblastic texture but have a finer grain size compared to Apollo granulites, and almost all plagioclase remains unaltered and not converted to maskelynite. The major element composition shows a SiO2 content of 45.4 wt%, CaO of 12 wt%, TiO2 of 0.2 wt%, Th of 0.1 ppm, and an Mg# of 76, lower than those of the Mg troctolitic lunar meteorites NWA 5744 and NWA 10401. The trace element budget indicates that the magnesian troctolites are KREEP-poor, which distinguishes them from the Mg-suite rocks in Apollo samples but is similar to some troctolitic lunar meteorites (NWA 10401). Furthermore, we predict –by using MELTS modeling– a plausible genetic connection between the Mg-suite rocks, and our troctolites, suggesting that the latter may be pristine and formed during a later stage along a fractional crystallization path. This scenario challenges the hybridization model and strengthens the evidence in favour of the fractional crystallization modeling. To ascertain the potential origin crater for the magnesian granulites, a comparative analysis was conducted with NWA 10401. Based on our findings, we propose that the Pythagoras crater, situated north of the CE-5 landing site, is the most probable source of the aforementioned magnesian troctolitic granulites. The ejecta from this crater may have been deposited between the Eratosthenian-aged mare basalts and the Imbrian-aged mare basalts beneath the CE-5 landing site. The KREEP-poor troctolitic granulite in the Chang'e-5 soil could represent paleo-ejecta from Pythagoras crater, excavated by subsequent impacts on the Eratosthenian-aged basalts and delivered them to the CE-5 site. The original location of the Mg troctolitic granulites is inferred to be near-surface, buried by the uppermost crustal rocks (<10 km), which is consistent with its contact with feldspathic impact glass.

Genetic parameters for milk production and type traits in North American and European Alpine and Saanen dairy goat populations

The development of an across-country genomic evaluation scheme is a promising alternative for enlarging reference populations and successfully implementing genomic selection in small ruminant populations. However, the feasibility of such evaluations depends on the genetic similarity among the populations, and therefore, high connectedness and high genetic correlations between the traits recorded in different countries or populations are needed. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of performing an across-country genomic evaluation for milk production and type traits in Alpine and Saanen goats from Canada, France, Italy, and Switzerland. Variance components and genetic parameters, including genetic correlations between traits recorded in different countries, were calculated using combined phenotypes, genotypes, and pedigree datasets. The (co)variance component analyses were performed within breed, either based only on pedigree information or also incorporating genomic information. Across-country genetic parameters were calculated for 3 representative traits (i.e., milk yield, fat content, and rear udder attachment). The heritability estimates ranged from 0.10 to 0.50, which are consistent with previous estimates reported in the literature. The genetic correlations for rear udder attachment ranged from 0.75 (between France and Italy, for the Alpine breed without genomic information) to 0.95 (between Canada and France, for the Saanen breed with genomic information), whereas for fat content, between France and Italy, they ranged from 0.75 in the Alpine breed without genomic information to 0.78 in the Alpine breed with genomic information. However, genetic correlations for milk yield were only estimable between France and Italy, with a moderate value of 0.45 for the Alpine breed with or without genomic information, and of 0.22 and 0.26 in the Saanen breed with and without genomic information, respectively. These low genetic correlations for milk yield could be due to several factors, including the trait definition in each country and genotype-by-environment interactions (GxE). The high genetic correlations found for fat content and rear udder attachment indicate that these traits might be more standardized across countries and less affected by GxE effects. Thus, an international genomic evaluation for these traits might be feasible. Further studies should be performed to understand the surprisingly lower genetic correlations between milk yield across countries. Furthermore, additional efforts should be made to increase the genetic connection among the Alpine and Saanen goat populations in the 4 countries included in the analyses.

Unidirectional trans-Atlantic gene flow and a mixed spawning area shape the genetic connectivity of Atlantic bluefin tuna.

The commercially important Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), a large migratory fish, has experienced notable recovery aided by accurate resource assessment and effective fisheries management efforts. Traditionally, this species has been perceived as consisting of eastern and western populations, spawning respectively in the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, with mixing occurring throughout the Atlantic. However, recent studies have challenged this assumption by revealing weak genetic differentiation and identifying a previously unknown spawning ground in the Slope Sea used by Atlantic bluefin tuna of uncertain origin. To further understand the current and past population structure and connectivity of Atlantic bluefin tuna, we have assembled a unique dataset including thousands of genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 500 larvae, young of the year and spawning adult samples covering the three spawning grounds and including individuals of other Thunnus species. Our analyses support two weakly differentiated but demographically connected ancestral populations that interbreed in the Slope Sea. Moreover, we also identified signatures of introgression from albacore (Thunnus alalunga) into the Atlantic bluefin tuna genome, exhibiting varied frequencies across spawning areas, indicating strong gene flow from the Mediterranean Sea towards the Slope Sea. We hypothesize that the observed genetic differentiation may be attributed to increased gene flow caused by a recent intensification of westward migration by the eastern population, which could have implications for the genetic diversity and conservation of western populations. Future conservation efforts should consider these findings to address potential genetic homogenization in the species.

Unraveling the Genetic Threads of History: mtDNA HVS-I Analysis Reveals the Ancient Past of the Aburra Valley.

This article presents a comprehensive genetic study focused on pre-Hispanic individuals who inhabited the Aburrá Valley in Antioquia, Colombia, between the tenth and seventeenth centuries AD. Employing a genetic approach, the study analyzed maternal lineages using DNA samples obtained from skeletal remains. The results illuminate a remarkable degree of biological diversity within these populations and provide insights into their genetic connections with other ancient and indigenous groups across the American continent. The findings strongly support the widely accepted hypothesis that the migration of the first American settlers occurred through Beringia, a land bridge connecting Siberia to North America during the last Ice Age. Subsequently, these early settlers journeyed southward, crossing the North American ice cap. Of particular note, the study unveils the presence of ancestral lineages from Asian populations, which played a pivotal role in populating the Americas. The implications of these results extend beyond delineating migratory routes and settlement patterns of ancient populations. They also enrich our understanding of the genetic diversity inherent in indigenous populations of the region. By revealing the genetic heritage of pre-Hispanic individuals from the Aburrá Valley, this study offers valuable insights into the history of human migration and settlement in the Americas. Furthermore, it enhances our comprehension of the intricate genetic tapestry that characterizes indigenous communities in the area.

Common autoimmune diseases and urticaria: the causal relationship from a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study.

The immune response assumes a pivotal role in the underlying mechanisms of urticaria pathogenesis. The present study delves into an investigation of the genetic causal connections between urticaria and prevalent autoimmune afflictions, notably rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn's disease (CD). A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to investigate the causal relationships involving four autoimmune diseases and urticaria. The genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data of four autoimmune disease were sourced from the IEU OpenGWAS database. The GWAS summary data for urticaria were derived from the Finnish consortium dataset. The principal analytical approach employed in this study was the random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. Subsequently, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed, encompassing assessments of heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, outliers, "Leave-one-out" analyses, and tests for adherence to the assumption of normal distribution. The random-effects IVW analysis indicate a positive genetic causal association between RA and urticaria (P < 0.001, OR 95% CI = 1.091 [1.051-1.133]). Conversely, SLE, UC, and CD do not exhibit a significant genetic causal relationship with urticaria. The reverse MR analysis reveals a positive genetic causal linkage between urticaria and SLE (P = 0.026, OR 95% CI = 1.289 [1.031-1.612]). However, the analysis demonstrates no substantial genetic causal relationship between urticaria and RA, UC, or CD. Importantly, the genetic causal assessment absence of heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and outliers. Furthermore, it remains unaffected by any individual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), demonstrating adherence to a normal distribution. This investigation establishing RA as a predisposing factor for urticaria. Moreover, urticaria as a plausible risk determinant for SLE. Heightened vigilance is recommended among RA patients to monitor the manifestation of urticaria within clinical settings. Similarly, individuals afflicted by urticaria should duly acknowledge the prospective susceptibility to SLE.

Does depth divide? Variable genetic connectivity patterns among shallow and mesophotic Montastraea cavernosa coral populations across the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean.

Despite general declines in coral reef ecosystems in the tropical western Atlantic, some reefs, including mesophotic reefs (30-150 m), are hypothesized to function as coral refugia due to their relative isolation from anthropogenic stressors. Understanding the connectivity dynamics among these putative refugia and more degraded reefs is critical to develop effective management strategies that promote coral metapopulation persistence and recovery. This study presents a geographically broad assessment of shallow (<30 m) and mesophotic (>30 m) connectivity dynamics of the depth-generalist coral species Montastraea cavernosa. Over 750 coral genets were collected across the Northwest and Southern Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Cuba, and Belize, and ~5000 SNP loci were generated to quantify high-resolution genetic structure and connectivity among these populations. Generally, shallow and mesophotic populations demonstrated higher connectivity to distant populations within the same depth zone than to adjacent populations across depth zones. However, exceptions to this pattern include the Northwest Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys which exhibited relatively high vertical genetic connectivity. Furthermore, estimates of recent gene flow emphasize that mesophotic M. cavernosa populations are not significant sources for their local shallow counterparts, except for the Northwest Gulf of Mexico populations. Location-based differences in vertical connectivity are likely a result of diverse oceanographic and environmental conditions that may drive variation in gene flow and depth-dependent selection. These results highlight the need to evaluate connectivity dynamics and refugia potential of mesophotic coral species on a population-by-population basis and to identify stepping-stone populations that warrant incorporation in future international management approaches.

Mineralogy and Conditions of Formation Genesis of Aggregates of Natural and Sulfide Minerals of the Poldnevskoe Demantoid Deposit (Middle Urals)

Polymineral aggregates of rounded shapes (“nodules”) composed of native and sulfide minerals of Cu, Ni, Fe, Ag, and other elements from vein magnetite–calcite–chrysotile rocks with jewelry demantoid in the Korkodinskoe hypermafic massif are described. A common feature of the six identified types of native sulfide nodules, composed of native copper, heazlewoodite, pentlandite, cuprite, and other native sulfide minerals, is their spheroidal shape, which makes them similar to individual grains of other gangue minerals (calcite, magnetite, etc.). In heazlewoodite–pentlandite nodules, specific symplectites of mercuric silver and nickel copper in heazlewoodite, as well as awaruite in Co–pentlandite, were found. The matching set of ore minerals in the host serpentinite vein mass (native copper, mercuric silver, heazlewoodite, pentlandite, awaruite) and nodules from the vein material indicates their genetic connection and the conjugation of demantoid mineralization with the evolving processes of serpentinization. It was established that the nodules formed at temperatures below 380°C under reducing conditions at very low sulfur fugacity values (10–17–10–27 bar) and oxygen (10–30 bar at 200°C to 10–21 bar at 350°C). For heazlewoodite–pentlandite nodules, such conditions persisted throughout the entire time of their formation, while, for other nodules, the reducing conditions of early parageneses were replaced by oxidative conditions in late parageneses, which is recorded by the replacement of native copper with cuprite. It is assumed that the features of the morphology and structure of native sulfide nodules and the presence of symplectite intergrowths of ore minerals in them are associated with specific conditions created during the decompression of the crust-mantle mixture rising to the surface in the fault zone. The source of the metals was a deep, high-temperature fluid interacting with mafic and ultramafic rocks under reducing conditions at a low water-to-rock ratio.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the abyssal coral Abyssoprimnoa gemina Cairns, 2015 (Octocorallia, Primnoidae) from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean

The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the tropical East Pacific is a region of interest for deep-sea mining due to its underwater deposits of polymetallic nodules containing economically important metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt. It is also a region of extensive baseline studies aiming to describe the state of the environment, including the biodiversity of the benthic fauna. An abundant component of the abyssal plain ecosystem consists of sessile fauna which encrusts polymetallic nodules and are vulnerable to potential impacts arising from exploitation activities, particularly removal of substrate. Therefore, this fauna is often considered to have key species whose genetic connectivity should be studied to assess their ecological resilience. One such species is Abyssoprimnoa gemina Cairns, 2015, a deep-sea coral from the CCZ whose presence in the Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) claim area has been confirmed during samplings. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to obtain the 18S nuclear rRNA gene and the complete mitochondrial genome of A. gemina from IOM exploration area. The mitogenome is 18,825 bp long and encodes for 14 protein coding genes, 2 rRNAs, and a single tRNA. The two phylogeny reconstructions derived from these data confirm previous studies and display A. gemina within a highly supported cluster of seven species whose mitogenomes are all colinear and of comparable size. This study also demonstrates the suitability of NGS for DNA barcoding of the benthic megafauna of the CCZ, which could become part of the IOM protocol for the assessment of population diversity and genetic connectivity in its claim area.

Current Uses and Future Perspectives of Genomic Technologies in Clinical Microbiology.

Recent advancements in sequencing technology and data analytics have led to a transformative era in pathogen detection and typing. These developments not only expedite the process, but also render it more cost-effective. Genomic analyses of infectious diseases are swiftly becoming the standard for pathogen analysis and control. Additionally, national surveillance systems can derive substantial benefits from genomic data, as they offer profound insights into pathogen epidemiology and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global public health issue. While clinical laboratories have traditionally relied on culture-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing, the integration of genomic data into AMR analysis holds immense promise. Genomic-based AMR data can furnish swift, consistent, and highly accurate predictions of resistance phenotypes for specific strains or populations, all while contributing invaluable insights for surveillance. Moreover, genome sequencing assumes a pivotal role in the investigation of hospital outbreaks. It aids in the identification of infection sources, unveils genetic connections among isolates, and informs strategies for infection control. The One Health initiative, with its focus on the intricate interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment, seeks to develop comprehensive approaches for disease surveillance, control, and prevention. When integrated with epidemiological data from surveillance systems, genomic data can forecast the expansion of bacterial populations and species transmissions. Consequently, this provides profound insights into the evolution and genetic relationships of AMR in pathogens, hosts, and the environment.