Rock around the clock: how biological invasions alter circadian clocks of native species
Abstract:
Organisms have evolved internal timing mechanisms (circadian clocks) to synchronise their physiology and behaviour with regularly fluctuating environmental parameters. Circadian clocks also control the temporal windows of specific activities (such as feeding and habitat exploration) in order to limit competitive interactions among individuals. Recent theoretical models have actually emphasised the role of interspecific competition in driving the evolution of circadian rhythms. In this view, sympatric competitors could have evolved different temporal patterns of activity to coexist in the same environment.
Biological invasions are one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss across the world. Coastal, freshwater, and brackish habitats are among the most vulnerable habitats to invasions. The arrival of a newly introduced species usually amounts to the arrival of a new competitor and/or predator, with which the native species can establish exploitative and interference competitive interactions.
The aim of the present project is to determine if invasive alien species can affect the circadian physiological and behavioural rhythms of native species and how much plastic is the circadian clock of native species to preserving fitness and survivorship.
The project will be organised in four research work packages specifically designed to investigate the impact of the occurrence of the invasive alien species on: 1) the native species’ temporal distribution in their natural environments; 2) their daily basal and swimming metabolism; 3) their gene expression under competitive interactions; 4) their circadian behavioural and physiological rhythmicity.
We selected two native species occurring in Po River Delta, the Mediterranean shore crab Carcinus aestuarii and the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus, and two invasive alien species, the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus and the Eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki, which proved to be competitors of the Italian native ones. Field activities to measure abiotic factors at different study sites and to estimate densities and population structures of the target species will be preliminary carried out. Then, we will apply a multidisciplinary approach based on behavioural, molecular and physiological techniques, which represent the consolidated expertise of the two RUs.
We predict that the presence of invasive alien species induces stress-related responses at behavioural, physiological and transcriptional level, ultimately leading to alterations in the native species’ circadian rhythms. This project falls within PNRR objectives (Strategic emerging topic: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services; Cluster: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment; Sub Cluster: 2), EU Green Deal and Italian PNR 2021-27 and will contribute to implement conservation and management practices aimed to mitigate the impact of biological invasions on our native biodiversity.
Biological invasions are one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss across the world. Coastal, freshwater, and brackish habitats are among the most vulnerable habitats to invasions. The arrival of a newly introduced species usually amounts to the arrival of a new competitor and/or predator, with which the native species can establish exploitative and interference competitive interactions.
The aim of the present project is to determine if invasive alien species can affect the circadian physiological and behavioural rhythms of native species and how much plastic is the circadian clock of native species to preserving fitness and survivorship.
The project will be organised in four research work packages specifically designed to investigate the impact of the occurrence of the invasive alien species on: 1) the native species’ temporal distribution in their natural environments; 2) their daily basal and swimming metabolism; 3) their gene expression under competitive interactions; 4) their circadian behavioural and physiological rhythmicity.
We selected two native species occurring in Po River Delta, the Mediterranean shore crab Carcinus aestuarii and the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus, and two invasive alien species, the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus and the Eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki, which proved to be competitors of the Italian native ones. Field activities to measure abiotic factors at different study sites and to estimate densities and population structures of the target species will be preliminary carried out. Then, we will apply a multidisciplinary approach based on behavioural, molecular and physiological techniques, which represent the consolidated expertise of the two RUs.
We predict that the presence of invasive alien species induces stress-related responses at behavioural, physiological and transcriptional level, ultimately leading to alterations in the native species’ circadian rhythms. This project falls within PNRR objectives (Strategic emerging topic: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services; Cluster: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment; Sub Cluster: 2), EU Green Deal and Italian PNR 2021-27 and will contribute to implement conservation and management practices aimed to mitigate the impact of biological invasions on our native biodiversity.
Dettagli progetto:
Referente scientifico: Bertolucci Cristiano
Fonte di finanziamento: Bando PRIN 2022 PNRR
Data di avvio: 30/11/2023
Data di fine: 30/11/2025
Contributo MUR: 118.418 €
Partner:
- Università degli Studi di FERRARA (capofila)
- Università degli Studi di FIRENZE