Landscape genomics

How are poor-dispersal aquatic insects adapted to environmental variation across their distributions? Through a Japanese Society Promotion of Science (JSPS) project in collaboration with different Ehime University labs, we developed genomic resources and sampling natural populations of stoneflies species (Plecoptera, Insecta) to understand the genetic basis of local adaptation to the environment. Stoneflies are economically important as a food fish and ecological importance as bio-indicators of contamination. By using RAD-seq techniques, we discovered specific genes related to local adaptation and parallel co-evolution patterns of multiple species trigger by environmental factors. Additionally, we explored proteins and transcripts mechanisms that may allow short-term response to environmental change. We discovered that the environmental conditions strongly regulated the protein expression of the stoneflies insects, leading to the production of unique proteins per region, and changes in their protein profile.

We are working on a complete first draft genome sequence based on multiple Illumina libraries sequence data in collaboration with Guangxi University. We expected to map whole-genome sequences from throughout the entire geographical distribution to build our work that used RAD-seq and genotyping by sequence. The results of this project will lead to an enhanced understanding of adaptation in long-lived species, as well as information that can be used to predict responses to future environmental change.