Genomic Consequences of Isolation and Inbreeding in an Island Dingo Population

A new analysis of whole-genome sequences from K’gari (Fraser Island) dingoes reveals significant genomic consequences of isolation and inbreeding, with the island population exhibiting higher levels of very long runs of homozygosity (>5 Mb) than mainland dingoes. This suggests a strong founder effect and small population size, despite evidence that strongly deleterious mutations are being purged. However, mildly deleterious alleles may persist, posing potential long-term risks for conservation. The study, which included 18 dingo genomes, provides critical insights into the genetic resilience of isolated populations under pressure from inbreeding.

Leon-Apodaca, A. V., Kumar, M., del Castillo, A., Conroy, G. C., Lamont, R. W., Ogbourne, S., Cairns, K. M., Borburgh, L., Behrendorff, L., Subramanian, S., & Szpiech, Z. A. (2024). Genomic Consequences of Isolation and Inbreeding in an Island Dingo Population. Genome Biology and Evolution, 16(7). https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evae130