Invasiveness and the microbiome: gut microbial community dynamics in an invasive-native vertebrate system
Informations
- Funding country
Europe- Acronym
- InvasOME
- URL
- -
- Start date
- 9/1/2023
- End date
- 8/31/2025
- Budget
- -
Fundings
| Name | Role | Start | End | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Europe | Grant | - | - | - |
Abstract
Biological invasions are one of the major threats to biodiversity worldwide, due to the many impacts and rapid spread ofinvasive alien species (IAS). However, the exact mechanisms underlying invasiveness remain poorly understood. Ihypothesise that metagenomic plasticity may be involved in invasions, i.e. IAS may be able to quickly acclimate and adapt totheir new environment and oust native species thanks to the higher dynamism of their microbial community structure and/orgene expression patterns. I will study microbiome dynamics in two phylogenetically-close mammals: a successful invader(grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis) and a native species ousted by the former (red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris), investigatingthe diverse interplay among their gut microbiome, parasite infection, dietary flexibility and behaviour (individual personality). Iwill employ an observational approach in a natural experimental setting, comparing variation in the microbiome-phenomedynamics of the two species at both the individual-level (across seasons) and population-level (along a natural-urbangradient). InvasOME will help disclose the mechanisms behind invasiveness and rapid adaptation of IAS, offering usefulinsights that may prove relevant for the prevention and management of biological invasions. This project is highlymultidisciplinary and perfectly integrates several disciplines part of my skill set (invasion ecology, parasitology andbehavioural ecology) with state-of-the-art metagenomics in which I will receive advanced training by the proposed host, whohas a relevant experience and an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to these fields. I designed this project also toenhance my transferable skills, making the most of the host institution initiatives. I am thus confident that InvasOME will bothopen an under-explored line of research and at the same time greatly enhance my potential, helping my transition to anindependent researcher position.