Biology subjects

Heurtebise, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Heurtebise, S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A cryptic local genetic cluster in Northern France amid the European mosaic of flat oyster lineages revealed by integrating SNP array and whole-genome sequencing

The European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), like numerous other oyster species, has been exploited for millennia and cultivated and translocated for centuries. Following a severe population decline, and in the context of ongoing conservation and restoration programs, genetic considerations must now be addressed to avoid mistakes. The objective of our study was to complement population genetic studies conducted at various scales along European coasts. Our sampling primarily targeted the French Atlantic, English Channel, and Mediterranean coasts, aiming to provide a fine-scale genetic characterization of populations in these regions. By integrating SNP array and low-coverage sequencing datasets, we obtained a comprehensive overview of the population genetic structure of Ostrea edulis across western Europe. Most previously identified clusters in Western Europe were confirmed. In France, populations assigned to these clusters exhibited notable within-patch homogeneity. However, two key findings emerged: (1) an extensive overlap zone between the Atlantic and western Mediterranean clusters, spanning at least from southern Portugal to southern France, and (2) the detection of a novel, clearly distinct cryptic cluster east of the English Channel, whose geographic range remains to be better delineated. These insights are critical for informing management decisions, particularly as restoration and conservation plans are currently being implemented across the species range.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2024

Evaluation of long-read sequencing for Ostreid herpesvirus type 1 genome characterization from Magallana gigas infected tissues

2Since the 1990s, the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas has faced significant mortality, which has been associated with the detection of the Ostreid Herpesvirus type 1 (OsHV-1). Due to the complex genomic architecture and the presence of multiple genomic isomers, short-read sequencing using Illumina method struggles to accurately assemble tandem and repeat regions and to identify and characterize large structural variations in the OsHV-1 genome. Third-generation sequencing technologies, as long-read real-time nanopore sequencing from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), offer new possibilities for OsHV-1 whole genome analysis. Identification of the best method for extraction of high molecular weight (HMW) DNA and development of accurate bioinformatic pipelines for its characterization are now required. To this end, we evaluated and compared six HWM methods and one conventional DNA extraction kit for their ability to extract OsHV-1 DNA from M. gigas- infected tissues. We then evaluated the ability of ONT sequencing to produce an accurate OsHV-1 genome from both whole genome and "adaptive sampling" (AS) sequencing approaches. Finally, we evaluated the efficiency of bioinformatics tools for de novo assembly and consensus calling to generate accurate OsHV-1 genomes. The HMW DNA extraction kit coupled with ONT sequencing and dedicated bioinformatics tools allowed us to produce accurate OsHV-1 genomes compared to those assembled using Illumina technology. The AS approach allowed up to 60% enrichment for viral data, and the long reads generated by ONT allowed the characterization of OsHV-1 isomers. Together with its portability, this sequencing shows great promise as a diagnostic tool for the characterization of unculturable aquatic viruses directly from host tissues. 3 ImportanceMany aquatic viruses threaten commercially valuable species and cause significant economic losses during outbreaks. To improve our understanding of the origin, transmission patterns and spread of these viruses, additional genomic data are essential. However, genomic characterization of unculturable large DNA viruses is a major challenge. In the present study, we have successfully evaluated the ability of ONT sequencing and adaptive sequencing (AS) to sequence and assemble the complete OsHV-1 genome. Our results show that it is now possible to sequence the whole genome of large DNA viruses directly from infected host tissue, without the need for prior in vitro propagation or prior laboratory steps for virus enrichment.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2018

Analysis of genome-wide differentiation between native and introduced populations of the cupped oysters Crassostrea gigas and Crassostrea angulata

The Pacific cupped oyster is genetically subdivided into two sister taxa, Crassostrea gigas and C. angulata, which are in contact in the north-western Pacific. The nature and origin of their genetic and taxonomic differentiation remains controversial due the lack of known reproductive barriers and morphologic similarity. In particular, whether ecological and/or intrinsic isolating mechanisms participate to species divergence remains unknown. The recent co-introduction of both taxa into Europe offers a unique opportunity to test how genetic differentiation maintains under new environmental and demographic conditions. We generated a pseudo-chromosome assembly of the Pacific oyster genome using a combination of BAC-end sequencing and scaffold anchoring to a new high-density linkage map. We characterized genome-wide differentiation between C. angulata and C. gigas in both their native and introduced ranges, and showed that gene flow between species has been facilitated by their recent co-introductions in Europe. Nevertheless, patterns of genomic divergence between species remain highly similar in Asia and Europe, suggesting that the environmental transition caused by the co-introduction of the two species did not affect the genomic architecture of their partial reproductive isolation. Increased genetic differentiation was preferentially found in regions of low recombination. Using historical demographic inference, we show that the heterogeneity of differentiation across the genome is well explained by a scenario whereby recent gene flow has eroded past differentiation at different rates across the genome after a period of geographical isolation. Our results thus support the view that low-recombining regions help in maintaining intrinsic genetic differences between the two species.

evolutionary biology↗