Project Overview
Genetic Analysis of a Soil Dwelling Species Introduced from France to Ireland: An Interdisciplinary Research Opportunity in Spain
Department(s)
Biology
Abstract
Two Colgate students will join an international research collaboration – with expertise spanning soil science, earthworm ecology, genomic analyses, phylogeography, and evolution – to study the introduction of a new species in a unique location under climate change: a small French earthworm species, Prosellodrilus amplisetosus, in Ireland.
P. amplisetosus is a small (1 – 2 cm long) endogeic (soil-eating) earthworm species with a very limited distribution in southern France and northern Spain. Given its sedentary nature, it is surprising that P. amplisetosus has been reported in three at locations in eastern Ireland over the past 10 years, including in high numbers at the well-known UNESCO World Heritage site of Dowth, Co. Meath, which harbors 5500-year-old passage tombs as well as a Georgian manor and estate and other features of archaeological and cultural significance in the Boyne River valley. The appearance of P. amplisetosus populations at locations in Ireland within 70 km of each other and 1000 km north of its endemic range, is happening under rapidly changing climate conditions and it poses an ecological threat to native biodiversity. By working across disciplines, we are providing a complete picture of this introduction, its history and its consequences.
One main goal of our project is to undertake genomic analyses to compare responses to environmental factors (temperature; soil moisture) that differ between the worm’s native range in France and its new range in Ireland. Another important goal is to broaden the impact of our interdisciplinary approaches by training undergraduate students in an international research setting. To this end, two Colgate students will join our will be hosted by Dr. Marta Novo and Dr. Daniel Marchán in their lab at the Complutense University of Madrid, SPAIN for 8 weeks during summer 2025. Dr. Novo and Dr. Marchán will direct and supervise the students in productive research experiences related to the experimental assessment of the physiological tolerance of P. amplisetosus compared to another similar species, and transcriptomic analyses that can be used to understand how P. amplisetosus is responding or has responded to different climate conditions.
Student Qualifications
Proficiency in basic molecular techniques (DNA extraction; PCR; gel electophoresis; automated sequencing; etc.).
BIOL182 and BIOL202 or 204 or 205.
Highschool Spanish (or above) desirable, but not necessary (English is the spoken language in the UCM lab).
Number of Student Researchers
2 students
Project Length
8 weeks
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