Sperm evolution across reproductive and fertilization modes

Päärahoittaja

Rahoittajan antama koodi/diaarinumero: 314219

Päärahoittajan myöntämä tuki (€)

Rahoitusohjelma

Hankkeen aikataulu

Hankkeen aloituspäivämäärä: 01.09.2017

Hankkeen päättymispäivämäärä: 31.03.2021

Tiivistelmä

First observed 350 years ago, spermatozoa diversity was soon recognized to be an evolutionary conundrum. However, most studies addressing these questions have looked at taxonomic groups where the variation in sperm is but a fraction, mostly showing quantitative (relative component size) vs. qualitative (component type and presence/absence) interspecific difference. Not surprisingly, many questions remain unanswered. Tardigrada are uniquely suited taxonomic phylum to conduct such research, by having unparalleled diversity in sperm design but providing a view of reproductive evolutionary forces, less confounded by huge phylogenetic spread. I propose an ambitious, forward-looking, yet attainable program, that takes advantage of the exceptional opportunities the biology of this groups offers for present and future (evolutionary) research. Tardigrades are small, transparent animals, with diverse reproductive biology: there are hermaphroditic and bisexual species, the latter with or without sperm storage; both internal and external insemination occurs. They are found globally, and terrestrial taxa can survive extreme conditions by undergoing reversible cryptobiosis (ametabolic state). This project will use a combination of research methods to investigate sperm evolution by comparing sperm form and function across the wide range of selective forces: (i) run comparative analyses using both published (design) and new (function) sperm traits; (ii) conduct experimentally controlled sexual interactions to monitor of mating behaviour and genetically score paternity; (iii) use modern imaging techniques for in vivo and/or in toto monitoring of sperm function from the testis to the egg across the wide range of insemination/fertilization paths. This project offers high potential for immediate and significant contributions to some, so far fundamentally unanswerable, long-standing questions in reproductive evolution. Their peculiar appearance, their incredible biological feats (e.g. survive outer Space) and their consequent promising role in medical applications (x-ray resistance), make tardigrades the ultimate study organism for academic and societal impact purposes. This project will create their first research centre in Finland.

Vastuullinen johtaja

Päävastuullinen yksikkö

Liittyvät julkaisut ja muut tuotokset

  

  

  

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• Ecology explains anhydrobiotic performance across tardigrades, but the shared evolutionary history matters more (2024) Vecchi, M.; et al.; A1; OA
• Expanding Acutuncus : Phylogenetics and morphological analyses reveal a considerably wider distribution for this tardigrade genus (2023) Vecchi, Matteo; et al.; A1; OA
• First evidence of sex-specific responses to chemical cues in tardigrade mate searching behaviour (2023) Chartrain, Justine; et al.; A1; OA
• First records of limnoterrestrial tardigrades (Tardigrada) from Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada (2023) Massa, E.; et al.; A1; OA
• Morphology, phylogenetic position, and mating behaviour of a new Mesobiotus (Tardigrada) species from a rock pool in the Socorro Box Canyon (New Mexico, USA) (2023) Vecchi, M.; et al.; A1; OA
• Negative impact of freeze–thaw cycles on the survival of tardigrades (2023) Zawierucha, Krzysztof; et al.; A1; OA
• The effects of sample storage duration on tardigrade density and community composition in moss samples (2023) Mäenpää, Hennariikka; et al.; A1; OA
• A lift in snail's gut provides an efficient colonization route for tardigrades (2022) Vuori, Tommi; et al.; A1; OA
• A New Species of the Genus Crenubiotus (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Adorybiotidae) from Salt Spring Island, Strait of Georgia, British Columbia (Canada) (2022)  Vecchi, Matteo; et al.; A1; OA
• Desiccation risk favours prevalence and diversity of tardigrade communities and influences their trophic structure in alpine ephemeral rock pools (2022) Vecchi, Matteo; et al.; A1; OA

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