Elmer Lab

CLOSED  Postdoc: UGlasgow.GenomicsReproductiveMode We have a research opportunity open at the University of Glasgow's Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine (IBAHCM) working in the Evolutionary Analysis Group and the research team of Kathryn Elmer (http://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/staff/kathrynelmer/) in collaboration with Oscar Gaggiotti at University of St Andrews (https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/oscar-eduardo-gaggiotti(43985656-390b-478e-b9a7-05fe88181e46).html_ The project is primarily based at Glasgow and research periods based at St Andrews are supported. We are seeking a motivated, creative and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher for a project on the genomic basis of oviparous and viviparous reproductive modes, funded by The Leverhulme Trust. This project will apply advanced statistical analyses to population-wide whole genome sequences to identify regions of the genome that show signals of response to selection, t...

"Parallelism in eco-morphology and gene expression despite variable evolutionary and genomic backgrounds in a Holarctic fish" is in press with PLoS Genetics . data available on Enlighten.  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1008658 Abstract Understanding the extent to which ecological divergence is repeatable is essential for predicting responses of biodiversity to environmental change. Here we test the predictability of evolution, from genotype to phenotype, by studying parallel evolution in a salmonid fish, Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus), across eleven replicate sympatric ecotype pairs (benthivorous-planktivorous and planktivorous-piscivorous) and two evolutionary lineages. We found considerable variability in eco-morphological divergence, with several traits related to foraging (eye diameter, pectoral fin length) being highly parallel even across lineages. This suggests repeated and predictable adaptation to environment. Consistent with ancestral genetic variation, ...

Burgon, J.D., Vieites, D.R., Jacobs, A., Weidt, S.K., Gunter, H.M., Steinfartz, S., Burgess, K., Mable, B.K. and Elmer, K.R., 2020. Functional colour genes and signals of selection in colour polymorphic salamanders. Molecular Ecology. in press  online early Led by PhD student James Burgon, this paper is a favourite! a project started with colleagues in Scotland, Germany and Spain, coming from plans that were long in the pipeline. A new set of colour candidate genes for amphibians. Abstract Colouration has been associated with multiple biologically relevant traits that drive adaptation and diversification in many taxa. However, despite the great diversity of colour patterns present in amphibians the underlying molecular basis is largely unknown. Here, we leverage insight from a highly colour‐variable lineage of the European fire salamander ( Salamandra salamandra bernardezi ) to identify functional associations with striking variation in colour morph and pattern. The thr...

Work from Li Chao's research visit with us: Li, C., Wang, J., Chen, J., Schneider, K., Veettil, R.K., Elmer, K.R. and Zhao, J., 2020. Native bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix populations in the Pearl River are threatened by Yangtze River introductions as revealed by mitochondrial DNA. Journal of Fish Biology. in press online early Culturally and economically important fishes with conservation challenges due to people stocking fry and building dams. Abstract Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix have been two economically important aquaculture species in China for centuries. In the past decades, bighead and silver carp have been introduced from the Yangtze River to many river systems in China, including the Pearl River, in annual, large‐scale, stocking activities to enhance wild fisheries. Nonetheless, few studies have assessed the ecological or genetic impacts of such introducti...

Paper led by PhD Student Kevin Schneider analysed all available transcriptome data for salmonids, to ask: at the molecular evolution level, what is similar about rapidly diversifying lake salmonids? Schneider, K., Adams, C.E. and Elmer, K.R., 2019. Parallel selection on ecologically relevant gene functions in the transcriptomes of highly diversifying salmonids. BMC genomics, 20(1), pp.1-23. open access paper available here Abstract Background Salmonid fishes are characterised by a very high level of variation in trophic, ecological, physiological, and life history adaptations. Some salmonid taxa show exceptional potential for fast, within-lake diversification into morphologically and ecologically distinct variants, often in parallel; these are the lake-resident charr and whitefish (several species in the genera Salvelinus and Coregonus ). To identify selection on genes and gene categories associated with such predictable diversifications, we analysed 2702 orthogroups (4.82 Mbp...

We have a new collaborative paper out with Pat Monaghan and the telomeres lab. The dynamics of telomeres in lizards are really poorly understood. Here we brought together an evolutionary perspective, genetic and pedigree information, and an analysis of telomeres. Also cover image, a beautiful oviparous female and her clutch. McLennan, D., Recknagel, H., Elmer, K.R. and Monaghan, P., 2019. Distinct telomere differences within a reproductively bimodal common lizard population.  Functional Ecology ,  33 (10), pp.1917-1927. Open access full article  here   ABSTRACT Different strategies of reproductive mode, either oviparity (egg‐laying) or viviparity (live‐bearing), will be associated with a range of other life‐history differences that are expected to affect patterns of ageing and longevity. It is usually difficult to compare the effects of alternative reproductive modes because of evolutionary and ecological divergence. However, the very rare...

A competitive fully-funded PhD studentship is be available to study adaptation and population genomics of Scotland's most variable fish the Arctic charr -- with Colin Adams and Kathryn Elmer at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. We are looking for an enthusiastic evolutionary biologist to join our team! Project: The lake-dwelling salmonid fish, the Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) is highly diverse both in phenotype and genotype. This takes the form of substantial variation within and between lakes; in some places the latter being expressed as eco-morphologically distinct and reproductively isolated sympatric polymorphisms. In addition the species is of high conservation value in the UK. This project will use high-resolution population genomic techniques to resolve questions about the phylogenetic similarities between allopatric and sympatric populations to inform the taxonomic position of the species and to help identify units that may require conservation protection. Sampl...