Project Details
Projekt
The evolution of genome compartmentalization in the ant genus Cardiocondyla
Subject Area
Evolution, Anthropology
Term
since 2022
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 502787686
Transposable elements (TEs) have a strong impact on genome evolution by modifying the structure or expression of genes, changing the epigenetic landscape, or generating large-scale structural variants. The genome-wide distribution and frequency of TEs can evolve rapidly, shaped by selection, drift, demography and the interplay of TEs and molecular host-defences. In the invasive ant Cardiocondyla obscurior, the genome is highly compartmentalized, with certain regions grossly enriched with TEs in a background of generally very little TE content. This compartmentalization divides the genome into quickly evolving, TE-rich and slowly evolving, TE-poor regions, which is suspected to facilitate adaptation to novel habitats during invasion. How this extreme TE landscape has evolved and whether it is common to other ants or other Cardiocondyla species is unclear. Here, we propose to study Cardiocondyla and other ant species to unravel TEs-dependent genome dynamics culminating in the fully compartmentalized genome of C. obscurior. For this, we will employ a model clade approach, studying Cardiocondyla in a comparative evolutionary genomic, population genomic and transcriptomic framework to understand the interplay of TEs and structural and regulatory genome evolution. In addition, we will develop a novel method for the de novo identification of TEs in comparative genomic studies and apply our method to annotate and study TEs in ~170 newly sequenced ant genomes. This research will significantly advance our understanding of the impact of TEs on genome evolution and their role in the emergence of adaptive change in ants.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
