Elucidating the genomic basis of fitness variation in a long-lived polymorphic predator
Evolution, Anthropology
Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
Final Report Abstract
Genetic variation, which influences reproductive fitness and survival in interspecific interactions, is still rarely pinpointed down to specific genetic loci and molecular mechanisms acting in the wild. With this project, we used a very suitable study system, where the fitness-correlated components have a strong phenotypic expression to achieve this. During the project, we sequenced and assembled several reference genomes, not only of our target avian model species and its closer and more distant relatives, but also of some of their most intimate interaction partners and potential selection agents –parasites living inside their blood cells. Through additional sequencing of transcriptomes of different organs, tissues and single cells, a detailed annotation of the genomes could be achieved. Following the development of these resources, we were able to identify the genetic locus causing the simple inheritance and encoding of the colour variation in common buzzards and other birds of the same clade. Contrary to expectations, the locus was neither a large chromosomal inversion, nor a single SNP. Rather, it is a small chromosomal segment containing a dozen genes with similar functions. These genes need to be studied further to find if the effects on fitness happen directly though physiology or involve the ecological integration of plumage colour. Furthermore, we could identify many genes under selection in both the immune system of these avian hosts and on the immune evasion side of their parasites, down to the cell types where the specific selection takes place. With these vast new resources, we developed tools, which will capacitate further fast developments in the specific field but will also allow wider analyses of co-evolutionary genome dynamics in general.
Publications
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High functional allelic diversity and copy number in both MHC classes in the common buzzard. BMC Ecology and Evolution, 23(1).
Winternitz, Jamie; Chakarov, Nayden; Rinaud, Tony; Ottensmann, Meinolf & Krüger, Oliver
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Novel phylogenetic clade of avian Haemoproteus parasites (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) from Accipitridae raptors, with description of a new Haemoproteus species. Parasite, 31, 5.
Harl, Josef; Fauchois, Anaïs; Puech, Marie-Pierre; Gey, Delphine; Ariey, Frédéric; Izac, Brigitte; Weissenböck, Herbert; Chakarov, Nayden; Iezhova, Tatjana; Valkiūnas, Gediminas & Duval, Linda
