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Forensic genomics as a novel tool for identifying the causes of mass mortality events

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  • Pierre De Wit

    (Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University
    The Sven Lovén Centre for Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg)

  • Laura Rogers-Bennett

    (Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California Davis)

  • Raphael M. Kudela

    (University of California)

  • Stephen R. Palumbi

    (Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University)

Abstract

Toxic spills, hypoxia, disease outbreaks and toxin-producing algal blooms are all possible causes of mass mortality events, but in many cases it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of death. Here we present a new approach that we name ‘forensic genomics’, combining field surveys, toxin testing and genomic scans. Forensic genomics queries allele frequencies of surviving animals for signatures of agents causing mass mortality and, where genetic diversity is high, is uniquely suited to identify natural selection in action. As a proof of concept, we use this approach to investigate the causes of an invertebrate mass mortality event, and its genetic effects on an abalone population. Our results support that a harmful algal bloom producing a yessotoxin was a major causative agent to the event.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierre De Wit & Laura Rogers-Bennett & Raphael M. Kudela & Stephen R. Palumbi, 2014. "Forensic genomics as a novel tool for identifying the causes of mass mortality events," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4652
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4652
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