INVASIVOLE

Genetics of an invasive species and its parasites: the bank vole in Ireland

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Invasive species pose major threats to biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, agriculture, fisheries and public health. Greater knowledge of the population genetic aspects of invasions will allow us to discover how invasive species can adapt and thrive in novel environments, despite the founder events and serial bottlenecking associated with expansion into new territory, and will help to generate better management strategies. In this proposal, the researcher will use a state-of-the-art genomics approach to study the invasion of the bank vole (Myodes glareolus) in Ireland and, as a corollary, also carry out a study of its parasites. The bank vole was introduced to southwest Ireland early in the 20th century and is still spreading at a rate of several kilometres a year, representing an excellent natural experiment in invasion genetics. Next-generation sequencing of the bank vole transcriptome will generate hundreds of new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Populations of bank voles will be sampled along transects from the point of introduction to the range margin. Individuals will be screened for variation at SNP loci. These data will be used to test hypotheses about the distribution of genetic diversity within invasive populations, and to make detailed reconstructions of the invasion history (including rates of spread and migration in different habitats) using novel statistical methods, for which the researcher will generate novel simulation software. Genetic characterization will also be conducted on suitable species of parasite that infect the bank vole population. As parasites commonly have shorter generation times and faster mutation rates than their hosts, genetic data from parasite can be used to make additional inferences about the invasion history of the host. This project combines several state-of-the-art developments in genomics and statistical techniques, and has the potential to greatly increase our knowledge of the genetics of invasive species.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A European study used the bank vole to assess the genetic component of species adaptation during invasion.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Invasive species impose an economic burden all over the world, including the countries of the European Union. It is very important that research investigates all aspects of invasion, including genetics and invasion dynamics.

The bank vole is a small rodent, found through much of Eurasia and was first detected in Ireland in the 1960s. This small mammal shows a rapid spreading pattern, representing an excellent natural experiment in invasion genetics.

The EU-funded 'Genetics of an invasive species and its parasites: the bank vole in Ireland' (INVASIVOLE) project worked on reconstructing the invasion history of the bank vole and its genetic diversity during expansion. Using data from a field campaign and previous surveys on bank vole distribution, researchers estimated the rate of expansion to be approximately 2.5 kilometres per year.

Genotypic analysis of 281 animals from different sites for nearly 6 000 single nucleotide polymorphism loci provided invaluable information about the genetic diversity of these animals. The sampling sites that were used represented different points along the axis of expansion, ranging from the site of introduction to the wave front of the ongoing expansion.

Researchers detected a decline in genetic diversity as the population expanded its range. They identified mutations capable of driving selection. Candidate genes included some that could influence behaviour or immunological function. To assess the fitness of the expanding population and associate it with the reduced genetic diversity, scientists performed morphometric analysis of the animals. Combining these data with analyses of parasites of the same animals would help portray a better picture of the history of invasion of the bank vole.

Overall, INVASIVOLE outcomes provide an example of how invasion genetics can help understand the complex process of invasion. Implementation of the generated information for pest control could prove beneficial for biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, agriculture, fisheries and public health.