Evolutionary ecology of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in oil-polluted waters in Trinidad

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Freshwater ecosystems are disproportionately impacted by the biodiversity crisis, with one in three freshwater species at risk of extinction according to the IUCN. One of the main drivers of this loss is pollution, as run-off from industry and agriculture accumulates in freshwater sinks leading to high mortality levels, reduced population size and species richness. Crude oil is one such pollutant, causing deformed growth, reduced immune response and fecundity in affected organisms, as well as being carcinogenic. Despite this, some species appear able to adapt to these conditions, including the livebearing fish, the guppy (Poecillia reticulata). In Trinidad , guppies have independently colonised and established populations in numerous waterways polluted with crude oil, including the Pitch Lake, an asphalt lake formed from natural upwelling of oil and bitumen. This provides a unique study system for investigating how a species may be able to cope with or adapt to the extreme environment caused by crude oil pollution. This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary ecology of these oil-tolerant populations. This will be achieved through investigations into their population genetics, their diet and gut microbiome, but also into patterns of intraspecific competition and interactions with predators.