Using full-genomic data to assess niche-width in wild fish populations

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My research addresses the extent to which the diverse assemblage of genotypes found within most animal and plant populations are functional adaptations to differences in individual life histories. This is a poorly understood yet fundamental component of evolutionary processes largely because the identification of genetic markers across the entire genome has been unavailable until recently. My current application takes advantage of the recent full-genome sequencing of the threespine stickleback to evaluate genetic variability in wild populations and supports the training of 4 Honours, 2 MSc, 1 PhD and 1 Post-doc position in field protocols, morphometrics, dietary analyses, stable isotope techniques, genomics and statistical methods. We will be using the well-studied stickleback from Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, for two complementary projects. The first assesses the extent of niche-specialization by integrating different body shapes, defense armour, trophic traits, sex, diet, and parasites, as well as physical and chemical parameters with genome-wide markers in each of two previously investigated lake populations. The second project is analyses of whole-genome sequences of 57 stickleback from 29 of my remote study populations, which span, over short geographical distances, much of the morphological and ecological diversity in the entire species and which largely represent independent and replicated colonization events from marine ancestors including lake-stream species pairs. Such integration of morphometrics, life histories and physiochemical traits with full genome data has not been attempted before. Genetic markers that differ predictably in relation to phenotype or ecological traits may provide insight into how these genes function in other vertebrates. If our results demonstrate genotype-specific niches within and among these remote and undisturbed habitats, this will substantially advance our understanding of basic evolutionary and ecological processes and conservation policy.