Whole genome resequencing reveals signatures of rapid selection in a virus affected commercial fishery

Infectious diseases are recognised as one of the greatest global threats
to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Consequently, there is a
growing urgency to understand the speed at which adaptive phenotypes can
evolve and spread in natural populations to inform future management. Here
we provide evidence of rapid genomic changes in wild Australian blacklip
abalone (Haliotis rubra) following a major population crash associated
with an infectious disease. Genome scans on H. rubra were performed using
pooled whole genome re-sequencing data from commercial fishing stocks
varying in historical exposure to haliotid herpesvirus-1 (HaHV-1).
Approximately 25,000 SNP loci associated with virus exposure were
identified, many of which mapped to genes known to contribute to HaHV-1
immunity in the New Zealand pāua (H. iris) and herpesvirus response
pathways in haliotids and other animal systems. These findings indicate
genetic changes across a single generation in H. rubra fishing stocks
decimated by HaHV-1, with stock recovery potentially determined by rapid
evolutionary changes leading to virus resistance. This is a novel example
of rapid adaptation in natural populations of a non-model marine organism,
highlighting the pace at which selection can potentially act to counter
disease in wildlife communities.