Genetic fingerprinting of salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) populations in the North-East Atlantic using a random forest classification approach

Jacobs, A., De Noia, M., Praebel, K., Kanstad-Hanssen, Ø., Paterno, M., Jackson, D., McGinnity, P., Sturm, A., Elmer, K. and Llewellyn, M.S. (2018) Genetic fingerprinting of salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) populations in the North-East Atlantic using a random forest classification approach. Scientific Reports, 8, 1203. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19323-z) (PMID:29352185) (PMCID:PMC5775277)

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Abstract

Caligid sea lice represent a significant threat to salmonid aquaculture worldwide. Population genetic analyses have consistently shown minimal population genetic structure in North Atlantic Lepeophtheirus salmonis, frustrating efforts to track louse populations and improve targeted control measures. The aim of this study was to test the power of reduced representation library sequencing (IIb-RAD sequencing) coupled with random forest machine learning algorithms to define markers for fine-scale discrimination of louse populations. We identified 1286 robustly supported SNPs among four L. salmonis populations from Ireland, Scotland and Northern Norway. Only weak global structure was observed based on the full SNP dataset. The application of a random forest machine-learning algorithm identified 98 discriminatory SNPs that dramatically improved population assignment, increased global genetic structure and resulted in significant genetic population differentiation. A large proportion of SNPs found to be under directional selection were also identified to be highly discriminatory. Our data suggest that it is possible to discriminate between nearby L. salmonis populations given suitable marker selection approaches, and that such differences might have an adaptive basis. We discuss these data in light of sea lice adaption to anthropogenic and environmental pressures as well as novel approaches to track and predict sea louse dispersal.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Llewellyn, Professor Martin and Jacobs, Arne and De Noia, Mr Michele and Elmer, Professor Kathryn
Authors: Jacobs, A., De Noia, M., Praebel, K., Kanstad-Hanssen, Ø., Paterno, M., Jackson, D., McGinnity, P., Sturm, A., Elmer, K., and Llewellyn, M.S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Scientific Reports
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:2045-2322
ISSN (Online):2045-2322
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The Authors
First Published:First published in Scientific Reports 8:1203
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
726761A microbial basis for Atlantic Salmon energeticsMartin LlewellynBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/P001203/1LS - ANIMAL BIOLOGY