Rapid diversification of a free-living protist is driven by adaptation to climate and habitat

Pavel Škaloud, Iva Jadrná, Petr Dvořák, Zuzana Škvorová, Martin Pusztai, Dora Čertnerová, Helena Bestová, Karin Rengefors

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Microbial eukaryotes (protists) have major functional roles in aquatic ecosystems, including the biogeochemical cycling of elements as well as occupying various roles in the food web. Despite their importance for ecosystem function, the factors that drive diversification in protists are not known. Here, we aimed to identify the factors that drive differentiation and, subsequently, speciation in a free-living protist, Synura petersenii (Chrysophyceae). We sampled five different geographic areas and utilized population genomics and quantitative trait analyses. Habitat and climate were the major drivers of diversification on the local geographical scale, while geography played a role over longer distances. In addition to conductivity and temperature, precipitation was one of the most important environmental drivers of differentiation. Our results imply that flushing episodes (floods) drive microalgal adaptation to different niches, highlighting the potential for rapid diversification in protists.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)92-105.e6
JournalCurrent Biology
Volume34
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024 Jan

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Ecology

Free keywords

  • algae
  • gene flow
  • population genomics
  • protist
  • RAD-seq
  • species diversification

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