Objective It is the unprecedented access to genome wide data that highlights the potential of current evolutionary studies and this proposal aims at exploiting this progress to analyze evolutionary processes in a well-established fish system of hybrid speciation. We study natural populations of freshwater fish referred to as sculpins (Cottus). In these we have identified species that have recently (<200 years) hybridized as a result of secondary contact through man-made canals between river systems. This gave rise to a new lineage with new adaptations that have allowed it to invade habitats that were not used by the parental species before. We are thus also dealing with evolutionary change that is associated with man-made ecological perturbations, the analysis of which is particularly timely. It is now possible to perform a near exhaustive search to identify genes and to study gene expression as a measure of evolutionary change in Cottus. A combination of genetic mapping experiments and screens for genotypic selection can reveal loci and functions as targets of selection in the adaptive evolution of invasive Cottus. This proposal specifically aims at identifying genomic traits such as copy number changes of coding sequences or changes in the gene regulatory architecture that have evolved as a direct consequence of hybridization and to explore their implication in adaptive evolution. The results will contribute to our understanding of the genetics of adaptation and the invasion of a new environment. With respect to hybrid zones and the evolution of new species, we will identify candidate genes and functions that can explain barriers to reproduction in the wild. Finally, we will be able to make significant progress with respect to the genetics associated with hybrid speciation. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesevolutionary biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesfreshwater biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-LS8 - ERC Starting Grant - Evolutionary, population and environmental biology Call for proposal ERC-2013-StG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution CARL VON OSSIETZKY UNIVERSITAET OLDENBURG EU contribution € 750 918,94 Address AMMERLAENDER HEERSTRASSE 114-118 26129 Oldenburg Germany See on map Region Niedersachsen Weser-Ems Oldenburg (Oldenburg), Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Arne W. Nolte (Dr.) Administrative Contact Doerte Dannemann (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CARL VON OSSIETZKY UNIVERSITAET OLDENBURG Germany EU contribution € 750 918,94 Address AMMERLAENDER HEERSTRASSE 114-118 26129 Oldenburg See on map Region Niedersachsen Weser-Ems Oldenburg (Oldenburg), Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Arne W. Nolte (Dr.) Administrative Contact Doerte Dannemann (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Germany EU contribution € 626 243,06 Address HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8 80539 Munchen See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Isabel Palmtag (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
