The project will use European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus), a small cyprinid fish that lays its eggs into the gills of freshwater mussel, as a model system for coevolutionary relationships with their hosts (mussels) and parasites (including larvae of their mussel hosts). Recent findings indicate that R. amarus has expanded into Central and Western Europe within last few centuries. First, a phylogeographic and population-genetic analyses of R. amarus populations within its European range will be completed. Then, we will use bitterling populations from areas of recent (Western and Central Europe) and ancient (Pontic region) sympatry with mussel hosts and with contrasting current and historic demographies (analysed by population genetic methods) to investigate coevolutionary dynamics between R. amarus and their parasites and mussel hosts. Finally, we will review the status of R. amarus populations over its European range, identify their history and propose further conservation measures.

Publications