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Population genomics of finless porpoises reveal an incipient cetacean species adapted to freshwater

Author

Listed:
  • Xuming Zhou

    (Nanjing Normal University
    Harvard Medical School)

  • Xuanmin Guang

    (BGI-Shenzhen
    Zhejiang University)

  • Di Sun

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Shixia Xu

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Mingzhou Li

    (Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Inge Seim

    (Queensland University of Technology)

  • Wencai Jie

    (BGI-Shenzhen)

  • Linfeng Yang

    (BGI-Shenzhen)

  • Qianhua Zhu

    (BGI-Shenzhen)

  • Jiabao Xu

    (BGI-Shenzhen)

  • Qiang Gao

    (BGI-Shenzhen)

  • Alaattin Kaya

    (Harvard Medical School)

  • Qianhui Dou

    (Harvard Medical School)

  • Bingyao Chen

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Wenhua Ren

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Shuaicheng Li

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Kaiya Zhou

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Vadim N. Gladyshev

    (Harvard Medical School)

  • Rasmus Nielsen

    (University of California)

  • Xiaodong Fang

    (BGI-Shenzhen)

  • Guang Yang

    (Nanjing Normal University)

Abstract

Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are a group of mammals adapted to various aquatic habitats, from oceans to freshwater rivers. We report the sequencing, de novo assembly and analysis of a finless porpoise genome, and the re-sequencing of an additional 48 finless porpoise individuals. We use these data to reconstruct the demographic history of finless porpoises from their origin to the occupation into the Yangtze River. Analyses of selection between marine and freshwater porpoises identify genes associated with renal water homeostasis and urea cycle, such as urea transporter 2 and angiotensin I-converting enzyme 2, which are likely adaptations associated with the difference in osmotic stress between ocean and rivers. Our results strongly suggest that the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoises are reproductively isolated from other porpoise populations and harbor unique genetic adaptations, supporting that they should be considered a unique incipient species.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuming Zhou & Xuanmin Guang & Di Sun & Shixia Xu & Mingzhou Li & Inge Seim & Wencai Jie & Linfeng Yang & Qianhua Zhu & Jiabao Xu & Qiang Gao & Alaattin Kaya & Qianhui Dou & Bingyao Chen & Wenhua Ren &, 2018. "Population genomics of finless porpoises reveal an incipient cetacean species adapted to freshwater," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03722-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03722-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Ding, Rui & Zhang, Xiaoke & Chen, Minmin & Lian, Yuxi & Yu, Daoping, 2023. "Vorticity preference of the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) during the dry season at the Wanhe River Estuary confluence," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 485(C).

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