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Size-selection drives genomic shifts in a harvested population
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  • Daniel Sadler,
  • Tiina Sävilammi,
  • Stephan van Dijk,
  • Phillip Watts,
  • Silva Uusi-Heikkilä
Daniel Sadler
University of Jyvaskyla Department of Biological and Environmental Science

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Tiina Sävilammi
University of Jyväskylä
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Stephan van Dijk
University of Jyväskylä
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Phillip Watts
University of Oulu
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Silva Uusi-Heikkilä
University of Jyväskylä
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Abstract

Overfishing not only drastically reduces the number of fish in an exploited population but is often selective for body size removing the largest individuals from a population. Here, we study experimentally the evolutionary effects of size-selective harvesting using whole genome sequencing on a model organism; the zebrafish, which also allows us to quantify gene ontology terms due to the high-resolution reference genome. We demonstrate genomic shifts in the populations exposed to size-selective harvesting for five generations and show reduced genetic diversity in all harvested lines, including control line (non-size-selected). We also determine differences in gene ontogeny, with enrichment in nervous system related genes. Our results illuminate the biological processes underlying fisheries-induced genetic changes, hence contribute towards the understanding of the changes potentially associated with the vulnerability of an exploited population to future stressors.