Molecular Evolution in the Mountains: Genetic Affinity and the Environment led to Adaptive Variation in the American Pika (Ochotona princeps)

<p>The American pika (<em>Ochotona princeps</em>) is discontinuously distributed in high elevation and montane regions across western North America, where isolated lineages have potentially evolved along divergent trajectories since the mid-Pleistocene. <em>Ochotona princeps</em> encounters cold temperatures, hypoxia, and dietary toxins, and therefore has thermoregulatory, metabolic, and behavioral adaptations related to these environmental challenges. Studies have confirmed interspecific adaptive variation between <em>O. princeps</em> and other <em>Ochotona</em> species, but there is limited research regarding intraspecific adaptive variation within <em>O. princeps</em>. I investigated adaptive responses in a panel of candidate genes with functions related to these conditions in <em>Ochotona</em> and other mammal species. I aimed to identify variation in genotype-environment associations across five <em>O. princeps</em> lineages and determine ancestries of these selective signals. I sequenced candidate genes in 179 <em>Ochotona</em> samples using custom hybridization baits. Resultant SNP datasets were tested for genotype-environment associations using redundancy analysis and latent factor mixed models. Significant outlier alleles were identified from relationships with elevation, temperature, and precipitation and varying ancestral relationships in key adaptive genes were determined. I argue that genetic affinity in <em>O. princeps</em> significantly interacts with landscape features, resulting in unique genotypes among genes related to environmental adaptation.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2022

Author dc:creator

• Farrand, Zachery M

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Katherine Teeter

• Genomics
• Adaptation
• Evolution
• Ochotona
• Climate Change
• Cold
• Hypoxia
• Ecology
• Thermoregulation
• Molecular Genetics
• Population Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/730

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.nmu.edu:theses-1774