Identifying genetic and epigenetic changes underlying adaptation in the invasive species Drosophila suzukii

In the last few decades, problems related to the colonization of invasive species have become increasingly important at a global scale. Biological invasions are not only a threat to the environment but also have an important impact in economy.

Thus, in order to manage and control invasive species, it is of crucial importance to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes that underlie successful invasive processes.

In this project, I propose to investigate the genetic and epigenetic changes underlying adaptation in the destructive crop pest Drosophila suzukii.

D. suzukii uses a sclerotized ovipositor to pierce the skin of unripe fruits causing dramatic losses to the fruit industry.

It has spread from South East Asia to Europe and North America in only ten years, evidencing its invasive success.In the proposed work, I will first validate experimentally the function of candidate genomic regions related with the invasive success of D. suzukii using the state-of-the-art CRISPR/Cas technology.

As such I will expand the knowledge of the genetic basis of the invasion process of this species.

Besides, technical improvements of the use of CRISPR/Cas can be of future application in programs dedication to the biological prevention of this pest.

Second, D. suzukii, as an invasive species, has to face with different oxidative agents when colonizing new environments such as the use of different herbicides or changes in UV exposure.

In this work, I will identify for the first time the transgenerational epigenetic modifications induced after oxidative stress in native and invasive natural populations.

I will also study whether those epigenetic modifications have any molecular or fitness effects and their possible association with invasive success.

Overall, I expect these results to provide new insights into the prediction of the invasive potential in natural populations.