Peregrine and saker falcon genome sequences provide insights into evolution of a predatory lifestyle

As top predators, falcons possess unique morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations that allow them to be successful hunters: for example, the peregrine is renowned as the world's fastest animal. To examine the evolutionary basis of predatory adaptations, we sequenced the genomes of both the peregrine (Falco peregrinus) and saker falcon (Falco cherrug), and we present parallel, genome-wide evidence for evolutionary innovation and selection for a predatory lifestyle. The genomes, assembled using Illumina deep sequencing with greater than 100-fold coverage, are both approximately 1.2 Gb in length, with transcriptome-assisted prediction of approximately 16,200 genes for both species. Analysis of 8,424 orthologs in both falcons, chicken, zebra finch and turkey identified consistent evidence for genome-wide rapid evolution in these raptors. SNP-based inference showed contrasting recent demographic trajectories for the two falcons, and gene-based analysis highlighted falcon-specific evolutionary novelties for beak development and olfaction and specifically for homeostasis-related genes in the arid environment–adapted saker

Deep exploration using long-offset transient electromagnetics: interpretation of field data in time and frequency domain

In the framework of the Deep Electromagnetic Soundings for Mineral Exploration project, we conducted ground-based long-offset transient-electromagnetic measurements in a former mining area in eastern Thuringia, Germany. The large-scale survey resulted in an extensive dataset acquired with multiple high-power transmitters and a high number of electric and magnetic field receivers. The recorded data exhibit a high data quality over several decades of time and orders of magnitude. Although the obtained subsurface models indicate a strong multi-dimensional subsurface with variations in resistivity over three orders of magnitude, the electrical field step-on transients are well fitted using a conventional one-dimensional inversion. Due to superimposed induced polarization effects, the transient step-off data are not interpretable with conventional electromagnetic inversion. For further interpretation in one and two dimensions, a new approach to evaluate the long-offset transient-electromagnetic data in frequency domain is realized. We present a detailed workflow for data processing in both domains and give an overview of technical obstructions that can occur in one domain or the other. The derived one-dimensional inversion models of frequency-domain data show strong multi-dimensional effects and are well comparable with the conventional time domain inversion results. To adequately interpret the data, a 2.5D frequency-domain inversion using the open source algorithm MARE2DEM (Modeling with Adaptively Refined Elements for 2-D EM) is carried out. The inversion leads to a consistent subsurface model with shallow and deep conductive structures, which are confirmed by geology and additional geophysical surveys

Exonic Versus Intronic Snps: Contrasting Roles In Revealing The Population Genetic Differentiation Of A Widespread Bird Species

Recent years have seen considerable progress in applying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to population genetics studies. However, relatively few have attempted to use them to study the genetic differentiation of wild bird populations and none have examined possible differences of exonic and intronic SNPs in these studies. Here, using 144 SNPs, we examined population genetic differentiation in the saker falcon (Falco cherrug) across Eurasia. The position of each SNP was verified using the recently sequenced saker genome with 108 SNPs positioned within the introns of 10 fragments and 36 SNPs in the exons of six genes, comprising MHC, MC1R and four others. In contrast to intronic SNPs, both Bayesian clustering and principal component analyses using exonic SNPs consistently revealed two genetic clusters, within which the least admixed individuals were found in Europe/central Asia and Qinghai (China), respectively. Pairwise D analysis for exonic SNPs showed that the two populations were significantly differentiated and between the two clusters the frequencies of five SNP markers were inferred to be influenced by selection. Central Eurasian populations clustered in as intermediate between the two main groups, consistent with their geographic position. But the westernmost populations of central Europe showed evidence of demographic isolation. Our work highlights the importance of functional exonic SNPs for studying population genetic pattern in a widespread avian species.Wo