Biology subjects

Pritchard, V. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Pritchard, V. L..

8 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Biodiversity effects of beaver activity in a semi-natural enclosure revealed by eDNA

O_LIEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is an emerging tool for biodiversity assessment in freshwater systems, offering high-resolution insights into community composition. Here, we apply eDNA metabarcoding to evaluate the ecological impacts of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) activity within a seminatural enclosure in the Scottish Highlands. C_LIO_LIWe collected seasonal water samples from nine sites, six influenced by beaver dams and three control sites with no evidence of beaver engineering, across a 40-hectare enclosure. Samples were analysed for vertebrate and macroinvertebrate diversity using established 12S and COI markers. C_LIO_LIVertebrate alpha diversity did not differ significantly between beaver and control sites, likely reflecting the small spatial scale and low species richness of upland Scottish streams. However, community composition differed significantly between treatments, especially for fish (PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.55, P < 0.001), with beaver-influenced sites dominated by three-spined stickleback and control sites by brown trout. Macroinvertebrate communities showed a 78% increase in gamma diversity in beaver-modified habitats relative to controls. Species composition varied strongly with beaver presence (PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.29, P < 0.001), likely due to the creation of lentic-lotic mosaics and associated microhabitat diversity. Seasonal variation was significant in both taxonomic groups, with the lowest species richness and highest community dispersion observed in summer, probably reflecting hydrological and temperature-driven dynamics in eDNA production and transport. C_LIO_LIOur findings reinforce previous evidence that beaver dam-building activity enhances beta diversity in headwater systems. Additionally, we demonstrate that eDNA metabarcoding is a sensitive method for detecting spatial patterns in freshwater biodiversity associated with these activities at scales ranging from tens to hundreds of meters. These approaches could inform future monitoring strategies aligned with landscape-scale beaver management and reintroductions. C_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Genetic Correlates of Host Use in Scotland's Pearl Mussels

The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is an ecologically important and highly endangered bivalve native to running freshwaters across Europe and eastern North America. Its life cycle includes an obligate parasite stage in which newly emerged larvae attach to the gills of juvenile salmonid fishes. In northern Europe, populations specialize on one of two hosts: Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) or brown trout (S. trutta). Previous microsatellite studies of pearl mussels in the Nordic region have shown an association between host specialization and population genetic characteristics. Scotland is considered a remaining stronghold for freshwater pearl mussel, however current knowledge of genetic characteristics and host association of Scottish M. margaritifera populations is limited. We combined minimally-invasive viscera swabbing with reduced-representation sequencing (nextRAD) to examine genetic diversity of pearl mussels at 5,486 genome-wide SNP markers across 18 populations in Scotland. Our results revealed a substantial variation among populations in genetic diversity and interpopulation differentiation which was strongly related to known host. Populations known to specialize on Atlantic salmon exhibited high genetic diversity (mean He = 0.24) and low inter-population differentiation (Fst = 0.026), even between rivers draining to opposite coasts. In contrast, populations known to specialize on brown trout or occurring where only trout are available consistently showed lower genetic diversity (mean He = 0.15 /0.14) and much higher inter-population differentiation (Fst = 0.160 /0.271), with many populations being highly genetically distinct even when geographically proximate. Principal component analysis and neighbor-joining trees confirmed this pattern, with salmon-specialist populations clustering together while trout-associated populations formed discrete, population-specific clusters. These findings mirror previously observed patterns in other parts of the M. margaritifera range and indicate that population sizes and migratory behavior of hosts may drive contrasting evolutionary trajectories in pearl mussel populations. The striking genetic differences between salmon- and trout-specialist populations have important implications for conservation planning, as they indicate differential capacity for local adaptation and vulnerability to reduced population sizes. Our results suggest that population genetic characteristics could be used to predict host associations for unstudied populations, providing a valuable tool for conservation management. The study emphasizes the importance of considering both direct impacts on pearl mussel populations and the status of their salmonid hosts when developing conservation strategies for this rapidly declining species.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

eDNA sampling reveals no negative effects of beaver recolonisation on the catchment-scale distribution of migratory fish

O_LIReintroduction of keystone species is considered part of the solution to the current biodiversity crisis. The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is one such species, shaping its habitat by felling trees, building dams and creating wetlands. However, while the potential benefits to aquatic biodiversity and ecological functioning have been studied on a local scale, the impacts of beavers on catchment-scale processes such as fish migration remain understudied. C_LIO_LISequencing of environmental DNA (eDNA metabarcoding) from water samples is a cost-effective method to study species distributions across large geographical scales. Here, eDNA samples (n=426) were collected from 142 sites across the UKs oldest and largest established wild beaver population, located on Tayside, East Scotland, and analysed using a vertebrate specific metabarcoding assay. We combined presence/absence data from eDNA results with other environmental and anthropogenic variables to model the effects of beaver presence on the distribution of three migratory fish species. C_LIO_LIUsing generalised linear models, we found no effects of the current beaver presence on the distribution of Atlantic salmon or lamprey, but a positive co-occurrence with European eel at the catchment scale. Model outputs also reinforced previous findings on the impact of barriers to migration and other abiotic and biotic factors on fish species, demonstrating the effectiveness of eDNA sampling in rivers for understanding species distributions at a catchment scale. C_LIO_LIThis case study provides novel insights into the co-distribution of beavers and migratory fish, and highlights how catchment-wide eDNA monitoring can be applied by environmental managers to aid decision-making and impact assessment more generally. C_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

Large effect life-history genomic regions are associated with functional morphological traits in Atlantic salmon

Understanding pleiotropic architectures of phenotypes is instrumental for identifying the functional basis of adaptive genetic variation in the wild. Life-history variation may have a morphological basis that mediates resource acquisition allocation pathways, but identifying the underlying genetic basis of such traits is challenging. Using Atlantic salmon juveniles reared in common garden conditions, we test if two life-history associated loci in Atlantic salmon, six6 and vgll3, are also associated with functional morphological traits. These loci had previously shown to exhibit strong signals of adaptation and are highly correlated with sea age at maturity. We show that genetic variation at the vgll3 locus is linked to variation in morphological traits that underlie swimming performance, along a trade-off axis between efficient cruising and maneuvering, while the genetic variation at the six6 locus was linked to variation in body-head proportions suggesting the potential functional importance of these traits for resource acquisition efficiency. However, the direction of changes in morphological traits associated with late-vs. early-maturing alleles was not always consistent with the expected direction of an effect to maturation timing. Our results reveal a complex morphological landscape associated with the genetic variation in these loci, possibly as a result of pleiotropy or linkage across these genomic regions.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

A single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping panel for efficient genetic stock identification of the Teno river Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population complex

A new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel for genetic stock identification in the Teno River Atlantic salmon fishery was developed, with a view to improving on an existing microsatellite panel. Twenty-two genetically differentiated reporting units were proposed based on population genetic analyses of 1212 individuals collected at 37 locations in the river and genotyped for > 33,000 genome-wide SNPs. A small subset of these SNPs was selected for GSI using an iterative process that considered their diversity and differentiation across reporting units. A genotyping-by-sequencing assay was developed to simultaneously genotype 180 of these GSI SNPs plus a sexing marker. This new SNP panel showed comparative GSI power to the microsatellite panel, with anticipated improvements in terms of cost, speed, and robustness and transferability across laboratories and genotyping platforms. Mixed stock analysis of the 2018 Teno River salmon catch using the new panel inferred all 22 reporting units to contribute to the fishery. Estimated catch proportions positively scaled with an independent estimate of reporting unit productivity: target spawning female biomass. This demonstrates the usefulness and efficiency of the 180 SNP panel for Atlantic salmon GSI in the Teno River system. If conducted on a regular basis, GSI can enable fine-tuning of management strategies to promote sustainable fishing.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Loci associated with migration, maturation and appetite control are linked with signals of fine-scale local selection in a large Atlantic salmon population

Insights into the genetic basis of local adaptation and drivers of population differentiation improve our understanding of evolution and the maintenance of biological diversity. Characterising adaptively important genetic variation also allows more efficient planning of conservation and management actions. We used a genome-wide SNP array to analyse the genetic population structure of a large Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population in the interconnected Tornio/Torne and Kalix River system of the Baltic Sea basin, and to identify genomic signatures of fine-scale selection within it. We identified signals of selection and genotype-environment associations (GEA) especially on chromosome (Chr) 9, including on a haploblock containing the six6 gene and other loci that have been earlier suggested to be adaptively important in salmonids. We also detected signals of selection in genome regions including other genes of ecological relevance, such as two known appetite-controlling genes in the melanocortin system (pomca on Chr 9 and mc4r on Chr 14), and the maturation-associated gene taar13c-like (on Chr 21). Variation in these and other identified candidate genes may potentially reflect differential selective pressures experienced by salmon from different parts of the large river system, regarding traits related to e.g. vision, feeding and growth, age at maturity and/or migratory timing. This indicates a need for management strategies to consider ecologically important genomic regions such as these, in order to protect adaptive genetic diversity in wild salmon populations.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Life-history genotype explains variation in migration activity in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

One of the most important life-history continuums is the fast-slow axis, where "fast" individuals mature earlier than "slow" individuals. "Fast" individuals are predicted to be more active than "slow" individuals; high activity is required to maintain a fast life-history strategy. Recent meta-analyses revealed mixed evidence for such integration. Here, we test whether known life-history genotypes differ in activity expression by using Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) as a model. In salmon, variation in Vgll3, a transcription co-factor, explains [~]40% of variation in maturation timing. We predicted that the allele related to early maturation (vgll3*E) would be associated with increased activity. We used an automated surveillance system to follow [~]1900 juveniles including both migrants and non-migrants (i.e. smolt and parr fish, respectively) in semi-natural conditions over 31 days ([~]580 000 activity measurements). Against our prediction, vgll3 did not explain variation in activity in pooled migrant and non-migrant data. However, in migrants, vgll3 explained variation in activity according to our prediction in a sex-dependent manner. Specifically, in females the vgll3*E allele was related to increasing activity, whereas in males the vgll3*L allele (later maturation allele) was related to increasing activity. These sex-dependent effects might be a mechanism maintaining within-population genetic life-history variation.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Genomic signatures of fine-scale local adaptation in Atlantic salmon suggest involvement of sexual maturation, energy homeostasis, behaviour, and immune defence-related genes.

Elucidating the genetic basis of adaptation to the local environment can improve our understanding of how the diversity of life has evolved. In this study we used a dense SNP array to identify candidate loci underlying fine-scale local adaptation within a large Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population. By combining outlier, gene-environment association, and haplotype homozygosity analyses, we identified multiple regions of the genome with strong evidence for diversifying selection. Several of these candidate regions had previously been identified in other studies, demonstrating that the same loci be adaptively important in Atlantic salmon at sub-drainage, regional and continental scales. Notably, we identified signals consistent with local selection around genes associated with variation in sexual maturation, energy homeostasis, behaviour, and immune defence. These included the large-effect age-at-matunty gene vgll3, the known obesity gene mc4r, and major histocompatibility complex II. Most strikingly, we confirmed a genomic region on Ssa09 that was extremely differentiated among subpopulations, and that is also a candidate for local selection over the global range of Atlantic salmon. This region co-localized with a genomic region strongly associated with spawning ecotype in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), with circumstantial evidence that the same gene (six6) may be the selective target in both cases. The phenotypic effect of this region in Atlantic salmon remains cryptic, although allelic variation is related to river flow volume and co-vanes with timing of the return spawning migration. Our results further inform management of Atlantic salmon and open multiple avenues for future research.

evolutionary biology↗