Strong, recent selective sweeps reshape genetic diversity in freshwater bivalve Megalonaias nervosa

TL;DR

This study reveals recent strong selective sweeps in Megalonaias nervosa, involving gene duplications and functional adaptations, highlighting mechanisms of rapid evolution in response to environmental pressures in freshwater bivalves.

Contribution

It uncovers the role of gene duplication and selective sweeps in recent adaptation of M. nervosa, emphasizing their importance in species survival under environmental stress.

Findings

Identification of 73Mb of nearly monomorphic genomic regions indicating recent selection.

Detection of 102 duplicate genes with high dN/dS ratios associated with sweeps.

Selective sweeps involve genes related to survival functions like detoxification and shell formation.

Abstract

Freshwater Unionid bivalves have recently faced ecological upheaval through pollution, barriers to dispersal, human harvesting, and changes in fish-host prevalence. Currently, over 70% of species are threatened, endangered or extinct. To characterize the genetic response to these recent selective pressures, we collected population genetic data for one successful bivalve species, Megalonaias nervosa. We identify megabase sized regions that are nearly monomorphic across the population, a signal of strong, recent selection reshaping genetic diversity. These signatures of selection encompass a total of 73Mb, greater response to selection than is commonly seen in population genetic models. We observe 102 duplicate genes with high dN/dS on terminal branches among regions with sweeps, suggesting that gene duplication is a causative mechanism of recent adaptation in M. nervosa. Genes in sweeps reflect functional classes known to be important for Unionid survival, including anticoagulation genes important for fish host parasitization, detox genes, mitochondria management, and shell formation. We identify selective sweeps in regions with no known functional impacts, suggesting mechanisms of adaptation that deserve greater attention in future work on species survival. In contrast, polymorphic transposable element insertions appear to be detrimental and underrepresented among regions with sweeps. TE site frequency spectra are skewed toward singleton variants, and TEs among regions with sweeps are present only at low frequency. Our work suggests that duplicate genes are an essential source of genetic novelty that has helped this successful species succeed in environments where others have struggled. These results suggest that gene duplications deserve greater attention in non-model population genomics, especially in species that have recently faced sudden environmental challenges.