Researchers develop the most comprehensive genetic map for bison and discover gene responsible for albinism

        This study published in G3: Genes, Genomes, and Genetics and led by researchers from Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) presents the development of the most comprehensive genome to date of the North American bison which also brings it up to date with the most current genome sequencing technology. Researchers used this to produce the first genetic test for mutations in which they discovered the gene responsible for albinism. Albinism is a rare condition that is characterized by a lack of pigment in an animal’s body, making them appear white with red eyes. The research also provides the framework for determining other genetic variations that may impact important traits in bison like those that contribute to their health or their production value.
        The research team led by Dr. James Derr, a VMBS professor of veterinary pathobiology and genetics created the first bison genome in 2015 and now developed the new current reference genome. The technology used allowed the researcher to create the genome based on DNA from animals with DNA from two different species, known as hybrids. They used DNA from a rare F1 bison-cow hybrid meaning they were a perfect 50-50 split between both parents’ DNA. They first sequenced the genome of the F1 hybrid, the bison mom, and the domestic cattle father which allowed them to separate the bison DNA from the cattle DNA regions in the F1 hybrid.
        After developing the complete high-resolution reference bison genome, the researchers then worked to find the gene mutation that was responsible for albinism in bison and to create a genetic test that could identify carriers of the mutation. They did this by sequencing the DNA from albino bison and comparing them to the wild type. They found that the mutation causes an enzyme to stop functioning properly which then leads to a lack of pigment in their skin. This discovery would be the first successful determination of the gene responsible for an observable trait in bison. Albino bison differ from white or tan bison, which are a result of crossing bison with white cattle, as they don't have red eyes and a pink nose like a true albino. Unfortunately, albino bison tend to develop skin cancer and other health issues as they get older and it is not recommended to use genetic testing to produce albino bison.
        The new development of this new reference genome and the identification of the genetic mutation that causes albinism opens new opportunities and insight into the genetics of bison. This may not only help understand bison genetics but also may have broader implications for future wildlife conservation methods and management and biodiversity preservation.


Links:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231120124103.htm
https://www.sci.news/genetics/north-american-bison-genome-12471.html

Genetic Map For Bison, Discover Gene Responsible For Albinism

Genetics map for bison

Genetics map for Bison, discover gene responsible for albinism. Albinism is an inherited condition in which leads to someone having a very light skin, hair, and eyes. the cause of this is because they have less melanin than usual in their body. The first article talks about how a rare white bison cafe was born in Southwest Wyoming in which the genes led to it having a white and light fur coat. The American bison had some amount of domestic cattle genes in their DNA however breeding and getting a white bison is still rare as in fact according to the National Bison Association the birth of a white bison is one in 10-million occurrence.   

The new possibilities that were discovered was that according to Dr. James, Derr who is a professor of veterinary pathobiology and genetics. By referencing genomes and using technology created genomes based on DNA from hybrids. The case was that the bison cow was a hybrid in which it was a perfect 50-50 split Between the two parents. But to determine the albinism you would need to know the gene that is responsible. so, looking at the sequence of DNA you would need to find the mutation that caused the albinism. The fact was that the mutation caused an important enzyme to cease a function which led to a lack of skin pigmentation. (Benson D) The question that I have is how does a hybrid such as a bison and a domestic cow have a albino calf? I know a big part of this is the pigments of the skin. mainly if the animal is born with an altered or a damaged TYR the animal could be albino.    

   

Magazine, S. (2023b, May 30). Rare white bison born in Wyoming State Park. Smithsonian.com. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-white-bison-born-in-wyoming-state-park-180982262/

Benson, D. (2023, November 20). Texas A&M researchers develop comprehensive genetic map for Bison, discover gene responsible for albinism. Texas A&M Today. https://today.tamu.edu/2023/11/20/texas-am-researchers-map-bison-genome/

Staff, D. M. | K. (n.d.). 1 in 10 million: Rare white bison born at Bear River State Park. KECI. https://nbcmontana.com/news/offbeat/1-in-10-million-rare-white-bison-born-at-bear-river-state-park-bear-river-albino-indian-tribers-dna-gene-cattle-coloration

Bottleneck Effect on the American Bison

         

      In the United States, there were once 60 million American Bison. During a time period in the mid to late 1800's the overexploitation of the animal caused that number to drop to about 325. This severe decrease in population size caused what is known as a "bottleneck effect". These types of events are caused by severe decreases in population size due to environmental or human activity. The results of events like this are usually not one that a species can recover from. Fortunately for this species, in the early 1900s, 5 private ranchers and government agencies worked diligently to make sure this American icon would not go extinct. However, this does mean that today's bison are all descendants from about 100 founders of the current population, and only 4 herds of genetically pure bison live in the United States today.
           A bottle neck effect, like the one seen in the American Bison, can lead to many health problems for future generations. In losing genetic diversity, the future generation of wild bison become more susceptible to things like disease and pathogens. To combat this, ranchers and private government agencies bred the bison with cattle, which produces a hybrid, known as a "beefalo". Unlike other hybrids, this particular hybrid is fertile. This ability to reproduce as a hybrid helped increased population size, and brought the American Bison back to a population size of around 500,000. While 500,000 may seem like a high number, it is nothing compared to the estimated 60 million that once ruled the United States. Of these 500,000, only about 4% are in herds managed for conservation purposes, and roughly 10,000 are actual wild wood Bison. Many of the wild wood Bison are pestered by diseases like bovine tuberculosis, or brucellosis. This might leave you wondering, where are the other 470,000 bison living in the United States? These bison are used in commercial herds for meat, leather, and commercial production. Bison that are commercially farmed are bred for specific purposes, with specific mates. The artificial crossing of these bison, often with cattle, leads the American Bison to be more favorable for production of traits the ranchers find favorable, and not necessarily favorable for the survival of the species.
          While the efforts to conserve the American Bison have made great strides, it still is saddening to think that the American Bison once ruled the United States, and now are essentially held in captive, only bred for profit. The American Bison is an iconic symbol of North America, once roaming from Alaska into Mexico. Now, they roam about 1% of the United States. Thanks to the genetic conservation of a few ranchers in the early 1900's the American Bison is still around.
          This event fascinated me so much because of the dramatic change in population in such a short period of time. The fact that the American Bison exists today is truly a wonder after the slaughter of so many. Even though most of the bison in the wild today are the result of hybridization, it gives me comfort in knowing that someone along the way realized that what was happening to these animals was wrong, and they needed to be saved. I often wonder what the ecological effects of this event have been. Losing almost 60 millions animals in a population is a drastic change to an ecosystem.






https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article/100/4/411/858147
https://www.nps.gov/articles/bison-bellows-12-3-15.htm
http://www.softschools.com/facts/hybrid_animals/beefalo_facts/2695/

Mystery Solved! European Bison origin revealed

Today, near the Poland-Belarus border roams a semi-wild population of bison. The European bison is the continents largest land mammal, but surprisingly its origins have been unknown until recently. Using ancient DNA and carve art, scientists have been able to retrieve the origin of the bison. However, this mystery was no quick project. It took scientists over a decade to produce a coherent family tree of the bison.

To begin solving the mystery, scientists studied, "ancient mitochondrial DNA derived from 65 bison specimens ranging from 14,000 to more than 50,000 years ago". Although, this alone wasn't enough for scientists to put the pieces together. Over the decade that researchers were studying bison, many important technological advances made, and this allowed the scientists to more clearly examine nuclear DNA and start correctly piecing together the bison's family tree.

According to scientists, the bison is a hybrid of two extinct animals. These animals are the steppe bison and the aurochs (ancestor of modern cattle). It has been over 11,000 years that the steppe bison has gone extinct and 389 years since the last aurochs was roaming around. Knowing this information, researchers have estimated that the hybridization of the bison took place at least 120,000 years ago.

Many hybrid species are less fertile and fit than their parents, however this is far from true with the bison. The bison have proven to be a whole new species that are both fertile and fit. Julien Soubrier, a palaeo-geneticist, says that in order for a hybrid to be as fit and fertile as the bison, it must have had striking competitive qualities to survive during climate changes. In Europe hundreds of years ago, many of the vegetation included tundras and grasslands. Steppe bison used to roam during areas of warm climate, and migrate further north during cold climates. The traits of Steppe bison help determine what the current species of bison might behave like.

This study truly demonstrates the power of recent technological advancements and DNA!
http://www.chron.com/news/science/article/DNA-study-reveals-European-bison-s-extinct-9980542.php

Yellowstone's Keystone Bison

Brett French, Billing Gazette

Apart from being one of the most beautiful places in the United States, Yellowstone's animals also carry a lot of importance.

Yellowstone's bison population contains 75% of the genetic diversity of the species. They are the only publicly-managed herd that has no cattle genes, which makes them vital in conservation efforts. This comes at the heels of discussion about culling the bison from 4,900 individuals to about 3,500. The Bison's ancestry contains a herd of 22 individuals who survived in the park, plus some bulls from Texas, and 18 individuals form western Montana. Not only that, but there appear to be two distinct herds of bison in the park.

Conservation efforts must focus on how unique these bison are to truly be effective.

Original Article
A proposed conservation efforts for 2015, with disease management at forefront