COPHYHOPA · Comparative phylogeography of fishes and their flatworm parasites in the Northeast Pacific and Mediterranean Sea: influence of host, life cycle, and specificity, on the parasite's phylogeography

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Project objective

Comparative phylogeography (comparison of phylogeographic patterns between different species) provides novel insights into the relationship between earth history and biotic diversification. Yet, comparative phylogeography of host/parasite systems has been seldom studied and has never been connected with parasites life traits (host specificity and life cycles).Here, we propose the first comparative analysis of the phylogeography of fish hosts (Sebastes aleutianus in the Northeast Pacific and Mugilus cephalus in the Mediterranean Sea) and their flatworm parasites. Monogean and digenean parasites will be studied owing to their different life cycle (direct vs. indirect), and in each group of parasites, we will study generalist and specific parasite species.Phylogenetic and population structure analyses will be performed on mitochondrial genes (COI for parasites and control region for fishes) in order to elucidate the impact of the phylogeographic structure of the host, host specificity and life cycle on the phylogeographic and population structures of the parasite species.During the outgoing phase of the project, the fellow (Dr. Plaisance) will work at Scripps, USA, in collaboration with Dr. Burton, where she will receive training in molecular genetic methods t o the analysis of population structure of marine organisms.During the return phase of the project, the fellow will work at the University of Valencia, Spain, in collaboration with Dr. Balbuena, where she will apply her skills on an ongoing research model bringing a novel direction to the study of grey mullets and their parasites in the Mediterranean Sea.A comprehensive training programme has been devised that enhances and greatly develops the skills of the applicant allowing her to pursue research in modern marine sciences, parasitology and evolutionary biology.The fellow will bring back in Europe unique knowledge in comparative phylogeography of host/parasite systems strengthening the European research.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITAT DE VALèNCIA - ESTUDI GENERAL · VALENCIACoordinatorCity levelSpain
• SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · LA JOLLA, CACity levelUnited States

Links

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