Whole genome resequencing reveals signatures of rapid selection in a
virus affected commercial fishery
Abstract
Infectious diseases are recognised as one of the greatest global threats
to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Consequently, there is a
growing urgency to understand the speed at which adaptive phenotypes can
evolve and spread in natural populations to inform future management.
Here we provide evidence of rapid genomic changes in wild Australian
blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) following a major population crash
associated with an infectious disease. A genome wide association study
on H. rubra was conducted using pooled whole genome re-sequencing data
from commercial fishing stocks varying in historical exposure to
haliotid herpesvirus-1 (HaHV-1). Approximately 25,000 SNP loci
associated with virus exposure were identified, many of which mapped to
genes known to contribute to HaHV-1 immunity in the New Zealand pāua (H.
iris) and herpesvirus response pathways in haliotids and other animal
systems. These findings indicate genetic changes across a single
generation in H. rubra fishing stocks decimated by HaHV-1, with stock
recovery determined by rapid evolutionary changes leading to virus
resistance. This is a novel example of rapid adaptation in natural
populations of a non-model marine organism, highlighting the pace at
which selection can potentially act to counter disease in wildlife
communities.