PARAPOPGENE · Comparative genetic patterns in parasite populations and species: the search for structuring forces
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2010-03-01 → 2013-02-28
- EU contribution
- €238,427
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MC-IOF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Comparative genetic patterns in parasite populations and species: the search for structuring forces
The PARAPOPGENE project addressed the application of a novel comparative molecular approach at different evolutionary, ecological and spatial scales to assess the processes acting on microevolutionary scales to generate variability among populations of parasites, to turn later into the processes acting on macroevolutionaly scales to generate species diversity in parasites. The main objectives were: 1. To explore how population genetic structure and infection levels of parasites with different host’s dispersal abilities were influenced by habitat structure, in particular, the unidirectional river flow. 2. To contrast the population genetics and phylogeographic structure of four freshwater trematode species with different life-history strategies and host’s dispersal abilities. 3. To validate a DNA-based diagnostic test of identification of larval stages of Diplostomum spp. and develop a rapid method to distinguish between the most frequent Diplostomum species. 4. To evaluate the effect of geography and microhabitat preference on the diversity of Diplostomum species. We used two different host-parasite model systems to address the above objectives during the outgoing (objectives 1and 2) and return (objectives 3 and 4) phase of the project. In rivers, a common process originating from the unidirectional water flow, stream drift, favours the displacement and downstream dispersal of invertebrates. This process could also generate a gradient in infection levels and parasite species genetic diversity, leading to decreasing numbers of parasites per host and decreasing species genetic diversity as one moves upstream from the river mouth. First, to test the effect of unidirectional river current on parasite genetic diversity, we sampled native upland bully fish host (Gobiomorphus breviceps) and collected their trematode species at 10 sites along a 70 km stretch of the Manuherikia River (New Zealand). We analysed the genetic structure of two freshwater trematode species with different life histories (Stegodexamene anguillae and Coitocaecum parvum) using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (cox1) sequences. Second, we tested if the unidirectional water flow, stream drift, could generate a gradient in infection levels, leading to decreasing numbers of parasites per host as one moves upstream from the river mouth. We used four trematode species infecting upland bully fish in the same Manuherikia River settings.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Gene flow among populations maintains the integrity of a species across its geographical range. To a large extent, gene flow depends on the mobility or dispersal abilities of a species, as well as on landscape features such as the presence of barriers to dispersal. For parasitic organisms, gene flow and the extent of genetic structure among populations are crucial for several key evolutionary processes, ranging from local adaptation to speciation. However, our understanding of genetic structuring in parasitic species is very limited, in particular with respect to the influence of life-cycle characteristics and transmission routes. This project addresses the application of a novel comparative molecular approach at different evolutionary, ecological and spatial scales to assess the effects of key life history variables, host and habitat characteristics on patterns of genetic structuring of parasite populations, using two species complexes of trematode parasites as model systems. The project will first investigate the processes acting on microevolutionary scales to generate variability among populations of parasites (outgoing phase), before turning to their consequences at the macroevolutionary scale and the evolution of different patterns of host use between related parasite species (return phase). The novelty of the proposed research lies in trans-disciplinary approach linking advanced ecology and molecular epidemiology concepts with population genetics and evolution. Key novel aspect of the methodology is the application of a comparative approach across multiple populations and species by contrasting a range of life history, transmission and co-existence strategies as well as genetic markers which reveal both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA variability. The successful implementation of the project will result in a substantial transfer of expertise from a world centre leading in molecular parasitology to the applicant and her team at the return European institute.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- BIOLOGICKE CENTRUM AV CR VVI · Ceske BudejoviceCoordinatorCzechia
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union