Open AccessThe genomics of ecological flexibility, large brains, and long lives in capuchin monkeys revealed with fecalFACS
Author(s) -
Joseph D. Orkin,
Michæl J. Montague,
Daniela Tejada-Martínez,
Marc de Manuel,
Javier del Campo,
Saúl Cheves Hernandez,
Anthony Di Fiore,
Claudia Fontsere,
Jason A. Hodgson,
Mareike C. Janiak,
Lukas F. K. Kuderna,
Esther Lizano,
Maria Pia Martin,
Yoshihito Niimura,
George H. Perry,
Carmen Soto Valverde,
Jia Tang,
Wesley C. Warren,
João Pedro de Magalhães,
Shoji Kawamura,
Tomàs Marquès-Bonet,
Roman Krawetz,
Amanda D. Melin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2010632118
Subject(s) - biology , adaptation (eye) , evolutionary biology , primate , rainforest , genomics , genome , flexibility (engineering) , phenotype , gene , ecology , zoology , neuroscience , genetics , statistics , mathematics
Significance Surviving challenging environments, living long lives, and engaging in complex cognitive processes are hallmark human characteristics. Similar traits have evolved in parallel in capuchin monkeys, but their genetic underpinnings remain unexplored. We developed and annotated a reference assembly for white-faced capuchin monkeys to explore the evolution of these phenotypes. By comparing populations of capuchins inhabiting rainforest versus dry forests with seasonal droughts, we detected selection in genes associated with kidney function, muscular wasting, and metabolism, suggesting adaptation to periodic resource scarcity. When comparing capuchins to other mammals, we identified evidence of selection in multiple genes implicated in longevity and brain development. Our research was facilitated by our method to generate high- and low-coverage genomes from noninvasive biomaterials.