GENEVOLCAV · Genomics of cave evolution in the European olm
„Хоризонт 2020“ — Действия „Мария Склодовска-Кюри“
- Период
- 2020-10-19 → 2023-10-31
- Финансиране от ЕС
- 231 619 €
- Участници
- 2
- Схема
- MSCA-IF
Линиите свързват координатора с партньорите.
Накратко на български
Генетиката на европейския протеус разкрива как животните се адаптират към пещерната среда, например чрез загуба на зрението. Разбирането на тези процеси помага да се разбере как се генерира биологичното разнообразие и какви гени влияят върху дълголетието и устойчивостта на глад.
Кратко обяснение, генерирано от езиков модел по текста на CORDIS. Оригиналът е по-долу.
Резултати накратко
Genomics of cave evolution in the European olm
Understanding how biodiversity is generated is a major goal for evolutionary biologists. Instances of repeated phenotypic change – termed convergent evolution – represent an ideal framework to test which genetic factors contribute to the generation of phenotypic diversity. This is necessary not only to understand how evolution works, but also to predict how fast populations can adapt to environmental change. In this project, the evolution of the cave phenotype in Proteus anguinus, the olm, was investigated. The olm is probably the most famous cave animal on earth, the first one to be scientifically described and prominently featured in Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’ on the ‘use’ and ‘disuse’ of characters. It spends its life underground, protected from human sight, but unfortunately not from human actions. Water pollution and habitat degradation threaten its subterranean homeland. To investigate the evolutionary history of olms, we used novel and innovative approaches to find and sample them. Metaphorically speaking, the project aims at answering Darwin’s puzzling case of the evolution of cave creatures 150 years after his ‘Origin of Species’. The completed objectives of the project are the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of olms, the sequencing of the olm's genome, the largest assembled tetrapod genome thus far, and the identification of crucial genes and selective processes during the evolution of the subterranean lifestyle in olms and in other vertebrates. This project represents an important step towards understanding how diversity is repeatedly generated and what drives this. The cave phenotype encompasses several traits with biomedical importance, including resistance to starvation and obesity, longevity, and eye diseases. Identifying the genetic pathways involved in these traits provides a comparative model for studying human health conditions. Moreover, the olm and the karstic groundwater ecosystem are at danger. Some lineages – including the unique ‘black proteus’ – have extremely small ranges and low genetic diversity. They are probably the rarest endemic European amphibians, and identifying their genetic diversity and demographic history is important if we are to conserve these animals and its habitats. The olm is considered a symbol of endangered natural heritage in Slovenia, and raising awareness about the needs and means to conserve it is an important aspect of the project.
Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз
Цел на проекта
Understanding the causes of major changes of form and function of organisms is one of the big goals of evolutionary biology. Dramatic phenotypic changes happen at the transition from the surface to a subterranean life. They involve the loss of eyes and skin pigmentation, and augmentation of non-visual sensory organs. In this project I will investigate the genetic mechanisms involved in this transition, using the olm (Proteus anguinus), the largest obligate cave inhabitant, as a model organism. The olm is famous for its peculiar appearance and as a European flagship species of conservation priority. Underscoring its importance, sir David Attenborough listed it as one of ten species he would take on his personal ark to save it from extinction. The olm represents a famous example of convergent evolution at the transition from surface to caves, as already noted by Charles Darwin in his 'On the origin of species'. My overarching goal is to elucidate the genomic mechanisms involved in this transition. The specific objectives of this project are to i) reconstruct the number of independent transitions from surface to caves across all olm lineages, ii) produce a full chromosome-level assembly of the olm's genome, iii) identify the genetic and selective mechanisms associated with this transition, and iv) reconstruct the demographic history of olm lineages. This research will be made possible by combining the expertise of world-leading institutions in cave biology (University of Ljubljana) and sequencing technology (BGI- Research). Using this expertise and knowledge, I will answer a long-lasting question about the evolutionary mechanisms that drive the loss of characters. In addition, my work will contribute to the largest genome assembled for any animal species. The identification of independent evolutionary lineages will help setting urgently needed international conservation priorities for olms.
Оригинален текст от CORDIS (на английски).
Участници
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Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз