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Susceptibility to a sexually transmitted disease in a wild koala population shows heritable genetic variance but no inbreeding depression VoR556.76 kB
Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Susceptibility to a sexually transmitted disease in a wild koala population shows heritable genetic variance but no inbreeding depression
Molecular Ecology, Vol.31(21), pp.5455-5467
2022
PMID: 36043238
Abstract
The koala, one of the most iconic Australian wildlife species, is facing several concomitant threats that are driving population declines. Some threats are well known and have clear methods of prevention (e.g., habitat loss can be reduced with stronger land-clearing control), whereas others are less easily addressed. One of the major current threats to koalas is chlamydial disease, which can have major impacts on individual survival and reproduction rates and can translate into population declines. Effective management strategies for the disease in the wild are currently lacking, and, to date, we know little about the determinants of individual susceptibility to disease. Here, we investigated the genetic basis of variation in susceptibility to chlamydia using one of the most intensively studied wild koala populations. We combined data from veterinary examinations, chlamydia testing, genetic sampling and movement monitoring. Out of our sample of 342 wild koalas, 60 were found to have chlamydia. Using genotype information on 5007 SNPs to investigate the role of genetic variation in determining disease status, we found no evidence of inbreeding depression, but a heritability of 0.11 (95%CI = 0.06 – 0.23) for the probability that koalas had chlamydia. Heritability of susceptibility to chlamydia could be relevant for future disease management, as it suggests adaptive potential for the population.
Details
- Title
- Susceptibility to a sexually transmitted disease in a wild koala population shows heritable genetic variance but no inbreeding depression
- Authors
- Romane Cristescu (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringKasha Strickland (Corresponding Author) - University of EdinburghAnthony Schultz (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - LegacyLoeske E B Kruuk (Author) - University of EdinburghDeidre de Villiers (Author) - Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty LtdCéline H Frère (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Molecular Ecology, Vol.31(21), pp.5455-5467
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Date published
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.1111/mec.16676
- ISSN
- 1365-294X; 0962-1083
- PMID
- 36043238
- Copyright note
- © 2022 The Authors. Molecular Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99668498302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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