[ad_1]
Some of the mutations may explain why some Grauer gorillas merged their fingers. There were changes in the genes badociated with the development of fingers and toes. The researchers warned that other species could have the same fate. ( Amy Porter | Dian Fossey Gorilla International Fund )
The number of Grauer's gorillas, which are critically endangered, has declined considerably in recent decades, resulting in a loss of genetic diversity that now threatens the survival of the species.
Reduction of the population size caused by consanguinity
In a new study published in the journal Current biology Thursday, Love Dalén, of the Swedish Museum of Natural History, and his colleagues sequenced the genomes of several specimens of eastern gorillas collected a century ago.
They then compared the results to those of the eastern live gorilla, also known as Grauer 's gorilla, living in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The results showed that Grauer's gorillas had accumulated harmful mutations, the genetic diversity of the species having considerably decreased in a few generations.
The Grauer gorilla population has declined by 80% in recent decades due to poaching and habitat loss.
The decrease in numbers has led to an increase in consanguinity, as parents are more likely to mate with a smaller population. This has resulted in a loss of genetic diversity and harmful mutations.
Harmful mutations
Dalén and his colleagues have identified several potentially harmful mutations whose frequency has increased over the past four to five generations of the Grauer's gorilla.
Some of them have been found in genes that affect male fertility and disease resistance. These changes make the species less able to adapt to new diseases and changing environments.
The researchers also identified mutations leading to loss of function in the genes badociated with finger and toe development, which may explain why some Grauer gorillas merged their fingers.
Dalén and his colleagues said the results underscore the need to tackle the free-falling population of the Grauer's gorilla. There are less than 4,000 species of the species today and the Grauer gorilla is now critically endangered.
"This recent increase in the number of harmful mutations really underscores the need to reverse the decline of the Grauer gorilla population," Dalen said.
Other species also at risk
The researchers also warned that there could be other species likely to suffer the same fate due to the collapse of their populations.
"Many species have experienced severe population declines in recent centuries and are therefore likely to suffer the same genomic consequences as those reported here for Grauer's gorillas." In species with shorter generation time, these consequences can be even more serious because of a faster genomic change, "the researchers wrote. in their study.
Ⓒ 2018 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[ad_2]
Source link
