A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review
Building on 150 Years of Knowledge : The Freshwater Isopod Asellus aquaticus as an Integrative Eco-Evolutionary Model System (2021)

Lafuente, E., Lürig, M. D., Rövekamp, M., Matthews, B., Buser, C., Vorburger, C., & Räsänen, K. (2021). Building on 150 Years of Knowledge : The Freshwater Isopod Asellus aquaticus as an Integrative Eco-Evolutionary Model System. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9, Article 748212. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.748212

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lafuente, Elvira; Lürig, Moritz D.; Rövekamp, Moritz; Matthews, Blake; Buser, Claudia; Vorburger, Christoph; Räsänen, Katja

Journal or series: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

eISSN: 2296-701X

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 04/11/2021

Volume: 9

Article number: 748212

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.748212

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79274

Abstract

Interactions between organisms and their environments are central to how biological diversity arises and how natural populations and ecosystems respond to environmental change. These interactions involve processes by which phenotypes are affected by or respond to external conditions (e.g., via phenotypic plasticity or natural selection) as well as processes by which organisms reciprocally interact with the environment (e.g., via eco-evolutionary feedbacks). Organism-environment interactions can be highly dynamic and operate on different hierarchical levels, from genes and phenotypes to populations, communities, and ecosystems. Therefore, the study of organism-environment interactions requires integrative approaches and model systems that are suitable for studies across different hierarchical levels. Here, we introduce the freshwater isopod Asellus aquaticus, a keystone species and an emerging invertebrate model system, as a prime candidate to address fundamental questions in ecology and evolution, and the interfaces therein. We review relevant fields of research that have used A. aquaticus and draft a set of specific scientific questions that can be answered using this species. Specifically, we propose that studies on A. aquaticus can help understanding (i) the influence of host-microbiome interactions on organismal and ecosystem function, (ii) the relevance of biotic interactions in ecosystem processes, and (iii) how ecological conditions and evolutionary forces facilitate phenotypic diversification.

Keywords: aquatic ecosystems; aquatic ecology; evolutionary ecology; models (objects); Isopoda; microbiome

Free keywords: animal model system; ecosystem function; evolutionary ecology; freshwater ecosystems; integrative biology; organism-environment interactions; microbiome

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1