Rapid rotifer adaptation – an investigation into the adaptive potential of asexual lineages

The capacity of populations to adapt rapidly to a changing environment can strongly contribute to the persistence of populations, the maintenance of biodiversity and the continuity of ecosystem functions. Rapid adaptation through selection on standing genetic variation is well-documented but the role of epigenetic heritable variation and novel mutations is much less clear.

In this project we experimentally explore the capacity of uniclonal populations to adapt to phosphorus limitation.

Theme: 

Eco-evolutionary dynamics, Ecological epigenetics

Funding

NIOO Strategic Fund

Research team

Koen Verhoeven

Steven Declerck