Chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and population genomics offer insights into the falcon population in Mongolia
Abstract The taxonomic classification of a falcon population found in the Mongolian Altai region in Asia has been heavily debated for two centuries and previous studies have been inconclusive, hindering a more informed conservation approach. Here, we generated a chromosome-level gyrfalcon reference...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88216-9 |
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| author | Farooq Omar Al-Ajli Giulio Formenti Olivier Fedrigo Alan Tracey Ying Sims Kerstin Howe Ikdam M. Al-Karkhi Asmaa Ali Althani Erich D. Jarvis Sadequr Rahman Qasim Ayub |
| author_facet | Farooq Omar Al-Ajli Giulio Formenti Olivier Fedrigo Alan Tracey Ying Sims Kerstin Howe Ikdam M. Al-Karkhi Asmaa Ali Althani Erich D. Jarvis Sadequr Rahman Qasim Ayub |
| author_sort | Farooq Omar Al-Ajli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The taxonomic classification of a falcon population found in the Mongolian Altai region in Asia has been heavily debated for two centuries and previous studies have been inconclusive, hindering a more informed conservation approach. Here, we generated a chromosome-level gyrfalcon reference genome using the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) assembly pipeline. Using whole genome sequences of 49 falcons from different species and populations, including “Altai” falcons, we analyzed their population structure, admixture patterns, and demographic history. We find that the Altai falcons are genomic mosaics of saker and gyrfalcon ancestries, and carry distinct W and mitochondrial haplotypes that cluster with the lanner falcon. The Altai maternally-inherited haplotypes diverged 422,000 years before present (290,000–550,000 YBP) from the ancestor of sakers and gyrfalcons, both of which, in turn, split 109,000 YBP (70,000–150,000 YBP). The Altai W chromosome has 31 coding variants in 29 genes that may possibly influence important structural, behavioral, and reproductive traits. These findings provide insights into the question of Altai falcons as a candidate distinct species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bc9a16d0761b489b9a8f9b4e57e5b2e3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc9a16d0761b489b9a8f9b4e57e5b2e32025-02-09T12:30:48ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115112010.1038/s41598-025-88216-9Chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and population genomics offer insights into the falcon population in MongoliaFarooq Omar Al-Ajli0Giulio Formenti1Olivier Fedrigo2Alan Tracey3Ying Sims4Kerstin Howe5Ikdam M. Al-Karkhi6Asmaa Ali Althani7Erich D. Jarvis8Sadequr Rahman9Qasim Ayub10Qatar Falcon Genome ProjectVertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller UniversityVertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller UniversityWellcome Sanger InstituteWellcome Sanger InstituteWellcome Sanger InstituteSouq Waqif Falcon HospitalBiomedical Research Center, Qatar UniversityVertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller UniversitySchool of Science, Monash UniversitySchool of Science, Monash UniversityAbstract The taxonomic classification of a falcon population found in the Mongolian Altai region in Asia has been heavily debated for two centuries and previous studies have been inconclusive, hindering a more informed conservation approach. Here, we generated a chromosome-level gyrfalcon reference genome using the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) assembly pipeline. Using whole genome sequences of 49 falcons from different species and populations, including “Altai” falcons, we analyzed their population structure, admixture patterns, and demographic history. We find that the Altai falcons are genomic mosaics of saker and gyrfalcon ancestries, and carry distinct W and mitochondrial haplotypes that cluster with the lanner falcon. The Altai maternally-inherited haplotypes diverged 422,000 years before present (290,000–550,000 YBP) from the ancestor of sakers and gyrfalcons, both of which, in turn, split 109,000 YBP (70,000–150,000 YBP). The Altai W chromosome has 31 coding variants in 29 genes that may possibly influence important structural, behavioral, and reproductive traits. These findings provide insights into the question of Altai falcons as a candidate distinct species.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88216-9GenomicsConservationAltai falconGyrfalconSaker falconPeregrine |
| spellingShingle | Farooq Omar Al-Ajli Giulio Formenti Olivier Fedrigo Alan Tracey Ying Sims Kerstin Howe Ikdam M. Al-Karkhi Asmaa Ali Althani Erich D. Jarvis Sadequr Rahman Qasim Ayub Chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and population genomics offer insights into the falcon population in Mongolia Scientific Reports Genomics Conservation Altai falcon Gyrfalcon Saker falcon Peregrine |
| title | Chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and population genomics offer insights into the falcon population in Mongolia |
| title_full | Chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and population genomics offer insights into the falcon population in Mongolia |
| title_fullStr | Chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and population genomics offer insights into the falcon population in Mongolia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and population genomics offer insights into the falcon population in Mongolia |
| title_short | Chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and population genomics offer insights into the falcon population in Mongolia |
| title_sort | chromosome level reference genome assembly of the gyrfalcon falco rusticolus and population genomics offer insights into the falcon population in mongolia |
| topic | Genomics Conservation Altai falcon Gyrfalcon Saker falcon Peregrine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88216-9 |
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