Host-parasite Genomics. Genetic Basis and Evolutionary Implication of Cuckoo Egg Mimicry

协同进化是一个关键的进化过程，对性状进化和物种多样化具有重要影响。鸟类育雏寄生虫和它们的宿主是共同进化相互作用的最突出的例子之一，并已在表型水平上进行了广泛的研究。然而，很少有人知道的遗传基础的信号特征和种群遗传后果的物种。常见的杜鹃（Cuculus canorus）是专性多面手寄生虫最突出的例子之一。在广泛的分布范围内，该物种专门研究各种宿主，导致模拟卵表型的多态性，以惊人的精度伪造宿主卵签名（宿主种族或氏族）。在这里，我们建议解开各种模拟卵表型的遗传基础。全基因组分析在异域和同域的主机种族将被用来澄清是否母系遗传，最近建议的完美的蓝色蛋种族，是一个一般的机制，或是否双亲和半合子基因组成分有助于主机种族的形成。进化遗传学分析将揭示宿主-寄生虫相互作用诱导的选择的强度和模式，基于宿主的群体分化和差异渐渗的程度。这个项目不仅有可能解决几个世纪以来一直吸引着自然学家的杜鹃卵模仿之谜，而且更普遍地有助于我们在分子水平上理解宿主-寄生虫动力学。

Coevolution is a key evolutionary process with important consequences for trait evolution and species diversification. Avian brood parasites and their hosts are among the most prominent examples of coevolutionary interactions, and have been extensively studied on the phenotypic level. Yet, little is known about the genetic basis underlying the signalling traits and the population genetic consequences of the species involved. The common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, is one of the most prominent examples of an obligate generalist parasite. Across a wide distribution range the species has specialized on variety of host resulting in polymorphism of mimetic egg phenotypes counterfeiting host egg signatures with stunning precision (host races or gentes). Here, we propose to unravel the genetic basis of the various mimetic egg phenotypes. Genome-wide analyses across allopatric and sympatric host races will be used to clarify whether maternal inheritance, as recently suggested for the immaculate blue egg race, is a general mechanism or whether bi-parental and hemizgyous genomic components contribute to host race formation. Evolutionary genetic analyses will shed light on the strength and mode of selection induced by host-parasite interaction, the degree of host-based population divergence and differential introgression. This project has potential to not only resolve a long-standing riddle of cuckoo egg mimicry that has intrigued naturalists for several centuries, but more generally contribute to our understanding of host-parasite dynamics at the molecular level.