Host-Associated Genetic Differentiation in the Face of Ongoing Gene Flow: Ecological Speciation in a Pathogenic Parasite of Freshwater Fish
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60077344%3A_____%2F25%3A00637873" target="_blank" >RIV/60077344:_____/25:00637873 - isvavai.cz</a>
Alternative codes found
RIV/60076658:12310/25:43909845
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf163" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf163</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf163" target="_blank" >10.1093/molbev/msaf163</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Host-Associated Genetic Differentiation in the Face of Ongoing Gene Flow: Ecological Speciation in a Pathogenic Parasite of Freshwater Fish
Original language description
Adaptive evolution in response to varying environments, leading to population divergence, is among the most intriguing processes of speciation. However, the extent to which these adaptive processes effectively drive population divergence amidst ongoing gene flow remains controversial. Our study addresses this by analyzing population genetic structure, gene flow, and genomic divergence between lineages of a tapeworm parasite (Ligula intestinalis) isolated from sympatric fish hosts. This parasite, which must overcome host immunological defenses for successful infection, significantly impacts host health. Utilizing genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and transcriptome data, we investigated whether host species impose distinct selection pressures on parasite populations. Genetic clustering analyses revealed clear divergence, with parasites from bream (Abramis brama) forming a distinct genetic cluster separate from those infecting roach (Rutilus rutilus), rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), and bleak (Alburnus alburnus). Demographic modeling indicated isolation with continuous gene flow as the most plausible scenario for this divergence. Selection analyses identified 896 SNPs under selection, displaying low to moderate nucleotide diversity and genetic divergence compared with neutral loci. Transcriptome profiling supported these findings, revealing distinct gene expression profiles between parasite populations. Examination of selected SNPs and differentially expressed genes identified candidate genes linked to immune evasion mechanisms, potentially driving ecological speciation. This research highlights the interplay of host specificity, population demography, and disruptive selection in ecological speciation. By dissecting genomic factors, our study improves the understanding of mechanisms facilitating population divergence despite ongoing gene flow.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
—
OECD FORD branch
10602 - Biology (theoretical, mathematical, thermal, cryobiology, biological rhythm), Evolutionary biology
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GA19-04676S" target="_blank" >GA19-04676S: Ecological speciation of a generalist organism: population genomics of adaptation and biogeography of Ligula intestinalis tapeworms</a><br>
Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Molecular Biology and Evolution
ISSN
0737-4038
e-ISSN
1537-1719
Volume of the periodical
42
Issue of the periodical within the volume
7
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
17
Pages from-to
msaf163
UT code for WoS article
001537428100001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105011842396