Eyes Wide Open: unveiling the parallel patterns of photoreceptor evolution in krill

How frequently do different species develop similar genetic adaptations in response to common environmental pressures?

This question is central to unraveling the complexities of evolution and understanding the repeatability and predictability of evolutionary processes.

The purpose of this project is to leverage the global diversity of krill to study adaptation to diverse light conditions and offer new perspectives on the genetic basis of adaptation and parallel evolution.The applicant will lead a four-year project, engaging an international team of collaborators in fieldwork and cutting-edge genomic and phenotypic analyses to investigate how krill adapt to their environments.

We will apply comparative analyses, integrating RNA-seq, microtomography, and machine learning to dissect the evolution of eyes and their light-sensitive opsins within and between over 30 species of krill and test how genes are reused and tuned in adaptation across species.This research not only promises to advance our knowledge of genetic adaptation and evolutionary ecology but also holds significant implications for marine conservation.

By linking genetic variation to environmental conditions, our project can inform conservation strategies for these crucial marine species that are already impacted by climate change.

This project stands at the forefront of evolutionary ecology, shedding light on the complex interplay between genetics, environment and adaptation.