Understanding dispersal potential in climate-sensitive species

This project aims to investigate the genomic and demographic effects of climatic changes during large-scale geographic postglacial recolonisation using V. berus as a study model. This will allow us to assess the mechanisms underlying previous demographic changes, and most importantly, to predict the effect of climate change on the population demography of a declining

species. The common adder is characterised by the largest geographic range among terrestrial snakes, which encompasses most of the Eurasian continent. Despite this taxon being characterised by low dispersal abilities and high philopatry, previous studies based on mtDNA have suggested an initial continental recolonisation event around a million years ago,

subsequently followed by minor colonisation events during the Lower-Mid Pleistocene glacial cycles. Although, the use of a single locus and the lack of spatial/climatic hypothesis testing frameworks, may provide weak support. This project exploits Climate-Informed Spatial Genetic Modelling to test such

recolonisation hypotheses. The complex and diverse biogeographic history of the common adder makes this taxon the perfect subject to investigate the causes responsible for recurrent range expansion events. Whole-genome sequencing data from specimens across the distributional range will be used to confirm demographic predictions and evaluate genomic regions under

selection in order to assess the potential of populations to cope with future climatic scenarios.