Population genomics of the critically endangered kākāpō

Summary The kākāpō is a flightless parrot endemic to New Zealand. Once common in the archipelago, only 201 individuals remain today, most of them descending from an isolated island population. We report the first genome-wide analyses of the species, including a high-quality genome assembly for kākāpō, one of the first chromosome-level reference genomes sequenced by the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP). We also sequenced and analyzed 35 modern genomes from the sole surviving island population and 14 genomes from the extinct mainland population. While theory suggests that such a small population is likely to have accumulated deleterious mutations through genetic drift, our analyses on the impact of the long-term small population size in kākāpō indicate that present-day island kākāpō have a reduced number of harmful mutations compared to mainland individuals. We hypothesize that this reduced mutational load is due to the island population having been subjected to a combination of genetic drift and purging of deleterious mutations, through increased inbreeding and purifying selection, since its isolation from the mainland ∼10,000 years ago. Our results provide evidence that small populations can survive even when isolated for hundreds of generations. This work provides key insights into kākāpō breeding and recovery and more generally into the application of genetic tools in conservation efforts for endangered species

A set of AP2-like genes is associated with inflorescence branching and architecture in domesticated rice

Land restoration is considered to be the remedy for 21st century global challenges of land degradation. As a result, various land restoration and conservation efforts are underway at different scales. Ethiopia is one of the countries with huge investments in land restoration. Tremendous land management practices have been implemented across the country since the 1970s. However, the spatial distribution of the interventions has not been documented, and there is no systematic, quantitative evidence on whether land restoration efforts have achieved the restoration of desired ecosystem services. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed scientific literature related to land restoration efforts and their impacts in Ethiopia. Results show that most of the large-scale projects have been implemented in the highlands, specifically in Tigray and Amhara regions covering about 24 agro-ecological zones, and land restoration impact studies are mostly focused in the highlands but restricted in about 11 agro-ecological zones. The highest mean effect on agricultural productivity is obtained from the combination of bunds and biological interventions followed by conservation agriculture practices with 170 % and 18% increases, respectively. However, bunds alone, biological intervention alone, and terracing (Fanya Juu) reveal negative effects on productivity. The mean effect of all land restoration interventions on soil organic carbon is positive, the highest effect being from “bunds + biological” (139%) followed by exclosure (90%). Reduced soil erosion and runoff are the dominant impacts of all interventions. The results can be used to improve existing guidelines to better match land restoration options with specific desired ecosystem functions and services. While the focus of this study was on the evaluation of the impacts of land restoration efforts on selected ecosystem services, impacts on livelihood and national socio-economy have not been examined. Thus, strengthening socio-economic studies at national scale to assess the sustainability of land restoration initiatives are an essential next step

Chromosome-level genome assemblies of two parasitoid biocontrol wasps reveal the parthenogenesis mechanism and an associated novel virus

Abstract Background Biocontrol is a key technology for the control of pest species. Microctonus parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) have been released in Aotearoa New Zealand as biocontrol agents, targeting three different pest weevil species. Despite their value as biocontrol agents, no genome assemblies are currently available for these Microctonus wasps, limiting investigations into key biological differences between the different species and strains. Methods and findings Here we present high-quality genomes for Microctonus hyperodae and Microctonus aethiopoides, assembled with short read sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding. These assemblies have total lengths of 106.7 Mb for M. hyperodae and 129.2 Mb for M. aethiopoides, with scaffold N50 values of 9 Mb and 23 Mb respectively. With these assemblies we investigated differences in reproductive mechanisms, and association with viruses between Microctonus wasps. Meiosis-specific genes are conserved in asexual Microctonus, with in-situ hybridisation validating expression of one of these genes in the ovaries of asexual Microctonus aethiopoides. This implies asexual reproduction in these Microctonus wasps involves meiosis, with the potential for sexual reproduction maintained. Investigation of viral gene content revealed candidate genes that may be involved in virus-like particle production in M. aethiopoides, as well as a novel virus infecting M. hyperodae, for which a complete genome was assembled. Conclusion and significance These are the first published genomes for Microctonus wasps which have been deployed as biocontrol agents, in Aotearoa New Zealand. These assemblies will be valuable resources for continued investigation and monitoring of these biocontrol systems. Understanding the biology underpinning Microctonus biocontrol is crucial if we are to maintain its efficacy, or in the case of M. hyperodae to understand what may have influenced the significant decline of biocontrol efficacy. The potential for sexual reproduction in asexual Microctonus is significant given that empirical modelling suggests this asexual reproduction is likely to have contributed to biocontrol decline. Furthermore the identification of a novel virus in M. hyperodae highlights a previously unknown aspect of this biocontrol system, which may contribute to premature mortality of the host pest. These findings have potential to be exploited in future in attempt to increase the effectiveness of M. hyperodae biocontrol

LMS og samarbeidslæring

I denne oppgåva har eg arbeidd med temaet kollaborativ samarbeidslæring i den vidaregåande skule og utgangspunktet har vore samarbeidslæring i elevgrupper på den tradisjonelle læringsarenaen (som regel klasserommet). Elevane er i dette samarbeidet store ressursar for kvarandre og dei samarbeider med stort utbyte, først og fremst ved at dei gjev kvarandre innsyn i kvarandre sitt arbeid. Ulempa med slikt samarbeid i klasseromet er at det for det meste berre skjer med sidemannen, dersom dei sit parvis i klasserommet. Fokuset i denne masteroppgåva har vore retta mot i kva grad LMS (Learning Management System) er eigna til å fremja kollaborativt samarbeid. Tanken er at det kan oppstå eit kollaborativt samarbeid av større omfang dersom den tradisjonelle , fysiske læringsarenaen vert utvida med ein digital arena. Bruk av LMS kan i beste fall gje alle innsyn i alle sitt digitale arbeid, dersom elevane er viljuge til å dela digitalt, dvs å leggja det dei arbeider med ut på LMS, slik at dei kan få innsyn i arbeidet til kvarandre. Innleiingsvis gjer eg greie for eigen bakgrunn som utgangspunkt for val av fagområde og problemstilling. Vidare har eg prøvd å sjå problemstillinga i lys av den auka satsinga på IKT i skulen og i samfunnet elles. I teoridelen er læring, samarbeidslæring, Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) og LMS sentrale tema. Metodekapitlet er for ein stor del via den kvalitative metode for datainnsamling der instrumentet er intervjumetoden. Den sentrale delen er presentasjon av innsamla data og analysen av desse