Rapid evolution of advantageous traits following abrupt environmental change can help populations recover from demographic decline. However, for many introduced diseases affecting longer-lived, slower reproducing hosts, mortality is likely to outpace the acquisition of adaptive de novo mutations. Adaptive alleles must therefore be selected from standing genetic variation, a process that leaves few detectable genomic signatures. Here, we present whole genome evidence for selection in bat populations that are recovering from white-nose syndrome (WNS). We collected samples both during and after a WNS-induced mass mortality event in two little brown bat populations that are beginning to show signs of recovery and found signatures of soft sweeps from standing genetic variation at multiple loci throughout the genome. We identified one locus putatively under selection in a gene associated with the immune system. Multiple loci putatively under selection were located within genes previously linked to host response to WNS as well as to changes in metabolism during hibernation. Results from two additional populations suggested that loci under selection may differ somewhat among populations. Through these findings, we suggest that WNS-induced selection may contribute to genetic resistance in this slowly reproducing species threatened with extinction.

中文翻译：

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白鼻综合征存活蝙蝠选择的基因组特征

环境突变后有利特征的快速演变可以帮助人口从人口衰退中恢复过来。然而，对于许多影响寿命较长、繁殖较慢的宿主的引入疾病，死亡率可能超过获得适应性从头突变的速度。因此，必须从常设遗传变异中选择适应性等位基因，这一过程几乎没有可检测到的基因组特征。在这里，我们提出了在从白鼻综合征 (WNS) 中恢复的蝙蝠种群中进行选择的全基因组证据。我们在 WNS 引起的大规模死亡事件期间和之后收集了两个小棕色蝙蝠种群的样本，这些蝙蝠种群开始显示出恢复的迹象，并发现了来自整个基因组多个位点的常设遗传变异的软扫描特征。我们在与免疫系统相关的基因中确定了一个假定选择的基因座。假定选择下的多个基因座位于先前与宿主对 WNS 的反应以及冬眠期间代谢变化相关的基因内。来自另外两个群体的结果表明，选择的基因座可能在群体之间有所不同。通过这些发现，我们认为 WNS 诱导的选择可能有助于这种缓慢繁殖的濒临灭绝的物种的遗传抗性。来自另外两个群体的结果表明，选择的基因座可能在群体之间有所不同。通过这些发现，我们认为 WNS 诱导的选择可能有助于这种缓慢繁殖的濒临灭绝的物种的遗传抗性。来自另外两个群体的结果表明，选择的基因座可能在群体之间有所不同。通过这些发现，我们认为 WNS 诱导的选择可能有助于这种缓慢繁殖的濒临灭绝的物种的遗传抗性。