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Postglacial Echoes: Parasite Genomics Uncover Environmental Changes in Postglacial European Lakes
Mar Llaberia-Robledillo1,2, José Ignacio Lucas-Lledó1, Juan Antonio Balbuena1
1Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Molecular Ecology
|July 16, 2025
Summary
Parasite evolution after ice ages shows distinct patterns. Phyllodistomum umblae declined and expanded post-glaciation, while Proteocephalus fallax had older, stable populations, revealing ecological strategy impacts on evolutionary trajectories.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Parasitology
- Genomics
Background:
- Postglacial environmental shifts profoundly impact biodiversity and evolution.
- Genomic and demographic parasite responses to these changes are poorly understood.
- Parasites offer unique insights into ecological and evolutionary processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate population genetics and demographic history of Phyllodistomum umblae (generalist trematode).
- Compare P. umblae's demographic patterns with Proteocephalus fallax (specialist tapeworm).
- Elucidate how ecological strategies influence evolutionary responses to environmental fluctuations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ddRAD sequencing for genomic data.
- Analyzed genetic differentiation between subarctic and perialpine P. umblae populations.
- Performed demographic inference to reconstruct historical population dynamics.
Main Results:
- P. umblae showed genetic differentiation between regions, suggesting glacial isolation.
- Low differentiation indicated hydrological connectivity and host plasticity.
- P. umblae populations declined during the Last Glacial Period and expanded post-glaciation.
- Pr. fallax exhibited older bottlenecks and stable Last Glacial Period populations due to host refugia.
Conclusions:
- Distinct evolutionary trajectories observed between P. umblae and Pr. fallax.
- Findings support the taxon pulse concept, linking glacial cycles to population dynamics.
- Parasites serve as valuable models for understanding biodiversity resilience and adaptation to environmental change.
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