Integrating genome-wide neutral and putatively adaptive variation resolves population structure and differentiation in a recently diverged albatross complex
- 1Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Abstract
Understanding patterns of evolution and divergence in populations is important for defining conservation units and informing taxonomy. However, when populations have low genetic diversity, or are closely related, genetic differentiation can be difficult to detect, particularly when relying on small numbers of genetic markers. Whole-genome sequencing allows for genome-wide identification of both neutral and outlier variation, improving the resolution of subtle population structure and providing insight into evolutionary processes. Here, we investigated genomic differentiation in a recently diverged and highly threatened albatross complex, the Antipodean (D. antipodensis antipodensis) and Gibson's albatross (D. a. gibsoni), using genome-wide neutral and outlier datasets. Whole-genome resequencing of 86 individuals sampled across Antipodes Island (D. a. antipodensis) and the Auckland Islands (D. a. gibsoni) identified 381,176 neutrally evolving and 57 independently segregating outlier (putatively adaptive) SNPs. Analyses of both datasets revealed significant genetic differentiation between the Antipodean and Gibson's albatross, no evidence of contemporary gene flow and evidence of selective sweeps suggesting local adaptation. Within-population structure was also identified for the Gibson's albatross, with genetic differentiation among sample sites from different islands (Adams Island and Disappointment Island). Patterns of heterogenous differentiation across the genome suggest the taxa are on different evolutionary trajectories. Together with existing morphological and behavioural evidence, these genomic results support reassessment of their conservation and taxonomic status. More broadly, this study demonstrates the value of combining neutral and putatively adaptive genomic variation to resolve subtle population structure in recently diverged taxa.
Related
- Comparison of the Population Genetic Structures of Borrelia Virulence Gene ospC and a Putatively Neutral Intergenic Spacer
- Genetic diversity, population structure, and interspecific differentiation in introduced breeding populations of Eucalyptus sideroxylon and Eucalyptus camaldulensis established in northern Chile.
- Whole-genome resequencing reveals genetic diversity and population differentiation in Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis
- Genetic diversity and population differentiation of eastern honey bees (Apis cerana) in Sichuan, China, based on mtDNA cox1 gene sequences
- Machine learning-assisted genomic characterization of population differentiation between Chinese Kirghiz and Kyrgyzstan local sheep
BibTeX
@misc{foote2026integrating,
title = {{Integrating genome-wide neutral and putatively adaptive variation resolves population structure and differentiation in a recently diverged albatross complex}},
author = {I. Foote and T. Oosting and K. Walker and G. Elliott and K. Rexer-Huber and G. C. Parker and G. K. Chambers and P. A. Ritchie},
howpublished = {bioRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.64898/2026.09.04.749127},
url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.04.749127v1},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Integrating genome-wide neutral and putatively adaptive variation resolves population structure and differentiation in a recently diverged albatross complex
AU - I. Foote
AU - T. Oosting
AU - K. Walker
AU - G. Elliott
AU - K. Rexer-Huber
AU - G. C. Parker
AU - G. K. Chambers
AU - P. A. Ritchie
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/04
PB - bioRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.09.04.749127
UR - https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.04.749127v1
AB - Understanding patterns of evolution and divergence in populations is important for defining conservation units and informing taxonomy. However, when populations have low genetic diversity, or are closely related, genetic differentiation can be difficult to detect, particularly when relying on small numbers of genetic markers. Whole-genome sequencing allows for genome-wide identification of both neutral and outlier variation, improving the resolution of subtle population structure and providing insight into evolutionary processes. Here, we investigated genomic differentiation in a recently diverged and highly threatened albatross complex, the Antipodean (D. antipodensis antipodensis) and Gibson's albatross (D. a. gibsoni), using genome-wide neutral and outlier datasets. Whole-genome resequencing of 86 individuals sampled across Antipodes Island (D. a. antipodensis) and the Auckland Islands (D. a. gibsoni) identified 381,176 neutrally evolving and 57 independently segregating outlier (putatively adaptive) SNPs. Analyses of both datasets revealed significant genetic differentiation between the Antipodean and Gibson's albatross, no evidence of contemporary gene flow and evidence of selective sweeps suggesting local adaptation. Within-population structure was also identified for the Gibson's albatross, with genetic differentiation among sample sites from different islands (Adams Island and Disappointment Island). Patterns of heterogenous differentiation across the genome suggest the taxa are on different evolutionary trajectories. Together with existing morphological and behavioural evidence, these genomic results support reassessment of their conservation and taxonomic status. More broadly, this study demonstrates the value of combining neutral and putatively adaptive genomic variation to resolve subtle population structure in recently diverged taxa.
ER -