Postglacial Echoes: Parasite Genomics Uncover Environmental Changes in Postglacial European Lakes
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60077344%3A_____%2F25%3A00644794" target="_blank" >RIV/60077344:_____/25:00644794 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.70039" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.70039</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.70039" target="_blank" >10.1111/mec.70039</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Postglacial Echoes: Parasite Genomics Uncover Environmental Changes in Postglacial European Lakes
Original language description
Postglacial environmental changes have influenced biodiversity and species evolution, yet the genomic and demographic responses of parasites remain underexplored. This study investigates the population genetics and demographic history of the flatworm Phyllodistomum umblae, a generalist trematode at the definitive host level infecting Coregonus spp. across perialpine and subarctic postglacial lakes. Additionally, we compare its demographic patterns to Proteocephalus fallax, a whitefish specialist tapeworm, to elucidate how ecological strategies shape evolutionary responses to environmental fluctuations. Genomic data from ddRAD sequencing revealed clear genetic differentiation in P. umblae between subarctic and perialpine regions, likely driven by geographic isolation during glacial cycles. Low genetic differentiation suggests hydrological connectivity and the parasite's ability to utilise several host species as definitive hosts. Demographic inference uncovered distinct evolutionary trajectories between P. umblae and Pr. fallax. During the Last Glacial Period (similar to 115-11 kya), P. umblae populations underwent declines, followed by rapid postglacial expansions after the Last Glacial Maximum (v15-10 kya). In contrast, Pr. fallax exhibited older historical fluctuations, including pronounced bottlenecks during the Middle Pleistocene (similar to 300 kya). Its populations remained stable during the LGP, likely due to host persistence in glacial refugia unavailable in earlier glaciation periods. These findings align with the taxon pulse concept within the Stockholm Paradigm, highlighting how glacial cycles triggered episodic population contractions and expansions. By integrating genomic and historical data, this study (1) underscores parasites as models for understanding ecological and evolutionary processes and (2) provides insights into biodiversity resilience and adaptation to past and future environmental changes.
Czech name
—
Czech description
—
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
10608 - Biochemistry and molecular biology
Result continuities
Project
—
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 Ecology
ISSN
0962-1083
e-ISSN
1365-294X
Volume of the periodical
34
Issue of the periodical within the volume
17
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
12
Pages from-to
e70039
UT code for WoS article
001529891200001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105010878440