BioProject

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) was declared extinct in 1987 due to disease and loss of habitat and its primary prey, the prairie dog. More...

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) was declared extinct in 1987 due to disease and loss of habitat and its primary prey, the prairie dog. Shortly thereafter, BFF was re-discovered in Wyoming in a small population, and the last surviving individuals (an estimated 7 founders) were used to start a captive breeding program. Now more than 600 BFFs are living in captivity or in the wild. However, the BFF remains at risk of extinction due to a high susceptibility to disease and multiple fertility challenges, including teratospermia.

We have generated and annotated reference chromosomal-level assembly of the BFF genome using cutting-edge technologies: 10X Genomics linked reads, Bionano optical maps and HiC; and have sequenced 6 more individuals from various generations since bottleneck. Obtained genomic variants from 7 ferrets allowed us to assess genetic diversity on whole genome level. Combination of variants with known mutations (mined from HGMD) related to sperm abnormalities in human allowed us to narrow set of candidate genes related to teratospermia.

3-decade long well documented story of rescue program makes BFF an excellent model for investigation consequences of severe bottlenecks. Annotated high-integrity reference genome assembly of BFF itself is starting point for studying effects of inbreeding depression on genome in this species. Combined with resequencing of male ferrets it would lead to informed decisions about males that have a high prevalence for teratospermia while identifying individuals less genetically predisposed to this condition. The similar strategy can be used to elucidate the BFF susceptibility to sylvatic plague. Less...