Haplotype-resolved genome and population genomics of the threatened garden dormouse in Europe

Genomic resources are important for evaluating genetic diversity and supporting conservation efforts. The garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) is a small rodent that has experienced one of the most severe modern population declines in Europe. We present a high-quality haplotype-resolved reference genome for the garden dormouse, and combine comprehensive short and long-read transcriptomics data sets with homology-based methods to generate a highly complete gene annotation. Demographic history analysis of the genome reveal a sharp population decline since the last interglacial, indicating an association between colder climates and population declines before anthropogenic influence. Using our genome and genetic data from 100 individuals, largely sampled in a citizen-science project across the contemporary range, we conduct the first population genomic analysis for this species. We find clear evidence for population structure across the species' core Central European range. Notably, our data show that the Alpine population, characterized by strong differentiation and reduced genetic diversity, is reproductively isolated from other regions and likely represents a differentiated evolutionary significant unit (ESU). The predominantly declining Eastern European populations also show signs of recent isolation, a pattern consistent with a range expansion from Western to Eastern Europe during the Holocene, leaving relict populations now facing local extinction. Overall, our findings suggest that garden dormouse conservation may be enhanced in Europe through the designation of ESUs. Genomic resources are important for evaluating genetic diversity and supporting conservation efforts. The garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) is a small rodent that has experienced one of the most severe modern population declines in Europe. We present a high-quality haplotype-resolved reference genome for the garden dormouse, and combine comprehensive short and long-read transcriptomics data sets with homology-based methods to generate a highly complete gene annotation. Demographic history analysis of the genome reveal a sharp population decline since the last interglacial, indicating an association between colder climates and population declines before anthropogenic influence. Using our genome and genetic data from 100 individuals, largely sampled in a citizen-science project across the contemporary range, we conduct the first population genomic analysis for this species. We find clear evidence for population structure across the species' core Central European range. Notably, our data show that the Alpine population, characterized by strong differentiation and reduced genetic diversity, is reproductively isolated from other regions and likely represents a differentiated evolutionary significant unit (ESU). The predominantly declining Eastern European populations also show signs of recent isolation, a pattern consistent with a range expansion from Western to Eastern Europe during the Holocene, leaving relict populations now facing local extinction. Overall, our findings suggest that garden dormouse conservation may be enhanced in Europe through the designation of ESUs.© 2024 Byerly et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Natuurpunt Studie Vzw
Naturmuseum Solothurn
Naturmuseum St Gallen
LOEWE Ctr Translat Biodivers Genom LOEWE TBG
Senckenberg Biodivers & Climate Res Ctr
Terr Zool
Inst Med Diagnost GmbH
Nat Sci Museum Granollers
Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Università degli Studi di Torino
Goethe Universität Frankfurt
Université de Liège
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen
Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien
LOEWE Ctr Translat Biodivers Genom
Goethe University Frankfurt
University of Turin
Nat Hist Museum Frankfurt
Leibniz Association
University of Liege
Justus Liebig University Giessen
University of Munich