Introgression and disruption of migration routes have shaped the genetic integrity of wildebeest populations

Xiaodong Liu, Long Lin, Mikkel-Holger S. Sinding, Laura D. Bertola, Kristian Hanghøj, Liam Quinn, Genís Garcia-Erill, Malthe Sebro Rasmussen, Mikkel Schubert, Patrícia Pečnerová, Renzo F. Balboa, Zilong Li, Michael P. Heaton, Timothy P. L. Smith, Rui Resende Pinto, Xi Wang, Josiah Kuja, Anna Brüniche-Olsen, Jonas Meisner, Cindy G. Santander, Joseph O. Ogutu, Charles Masembe, Rute R. Fonseca, Vincent Muwanika, Hans R. Siegismund, Anders Albrechtsen (), Ida Moltke () and Rasmus Heller ()
Additional contact information
Xiaodong Liu: University of Copenhagen
Long Lin: University of Copenhagen
Mikkel-Holger S. Sinding: University of Copenhagen
Laura D. Bertola: University of Copenhagen
Kristian Hanghøj: University of Copenhagen
Liam Quinn: University of Copenhagen
Genís Garcia-Erill: University of Copenhagen
Malthe Sebro Rasmussen: University of Copenhagen
Mikkel Schubert: University of Copenhagen
Patrícia Pečnerová: University of Copenhagen
Renzo F. Balboa: University of Copenhagen
Zilong Li: University of Copenhagen
Michael P. Heaton: USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC)
Timothy P. L. Smith: USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC)
Rui Resende Pinto: CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research—University of Porto
Xi Wang: University of Copenhagen
Josiah Kuja: University of Copenhagen
Anna Brüniche-Olsen: University of Copenhagen
Jonas Meisner: University of Copenhagen
Cindy G. Santander: University of Copenhagen
Joseph O. Ogutu: University of Hohenheim
Charles Masembe: Makerere University
Rute R. Fonseca: CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research—University of Porto
Vincent Muwanika: Makerere University
Hans R. Siegismund: University of Copenhagen
Anders Albrechtsen: University of Copenhagen
Ida Moltke: University of Copenhagen
Rasmus Heller: University of Copenhagen

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract The blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) is a keystone species in savanna ecosystems from southern to eastern Africa, and is well known for its spectacular migrations and locally extreme abundance. In contrast, the black wildebeest (C. gnou) is endemic to southern Africa, barely escaped extinction in the 1900s and is feared to be in danger of genetic swamping from the blue wildebeest. Despite the ecological importance of the wildebeest, there is a lack of understanding of how its unique migratory ecology has affected its gene flow, genetic structure and phylogeography. Here, we analyze whole genomes from 121 blue and 22 black wildebeest across the genus’ range. We find discrete genetic structure consistent with the morphologically defined subspecies. Unexpectedly, our analyses reveal no signs of recent interspecific admixture, but rather a late Pleistocene introgression of black wildebeest into the southern blue wildebeest populations. Finally, we find that migratory blue wildebeest populations exhibit a combination of long-range panmixia, higher genetic diversity and lower inbreeding levels compared to neighboring populations whose migration has recently been disrupted. These findings provide crucial insights into the evolutionary history of the wildebeest, and tangible genetic evidence for the negative effects of anthropogenic activities on highly migratory ungulates.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47015-y

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