Symbionts (i.e. parasites, mutualists, and commensalists that spend most of their life on a host) are central components of ecosystems, representing over 70% of the ecological interactions in some ecosystems. This group have been identified as being at clear risk of extinction due to climate change, with conservation genomics identified as a key area in need of development within the framework of global conservation efforts of symbionts (Priority 3 Genomics of the Global Parasite Conservation Plan).

The proposal (GENCLIMLICE) aims to address the capacity of bird feather lice, an iconic system for coevolutionary biology, to adapt locally to changing climatic conditionsa topic that has never been studied before. The main objective of the project is to understand whether bird lice can adapt locally to changing environmental conditions and if genome-editing techniques might facilitate or replicate such adaptation.

This goal will be achieved by:

1) Sampling populations from highly contrasting climatic conditions and using genotype-environment association approaches to identify genetic signatures of local adaptation to these environments.

2) Breeding hematophagous lice in captivity (outside the host) for the first time, to experimentally validate GEA results.

3) Pioneering the implementation of genome-editing tools in bird feather lice to evaluate the feasibility of modifying candidate regions for adaptation to changing climatic conditions.

The findings from GENCLIMLICE will not only advance our understanding of how symbiotic systems can respond to climate change but also establish a framework for leveraging genomics and experimental biology to inform conservation strategies, offering valuable insights into preserving biodiversity and ensuring ecosystem stability in a rapidly changing world

Funding

This project is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.