Projects & Grants
| Coexistence of cryptic species in a keystone freshwater benthic crustacean | |
|---|---|
| Project Id | 25-19891L |
| Main solver | prof. RNDr. Zdeněk Ďuriš, CSc. |
| Period | 5/2025 - 4/2028 |
| Provider | Mezinárodní - LA (FWF - Rakousko) |
| State | solved |
| Anotation | Co-occurrence of morphologically presumably indistinguishable cryptic species may be explained either by stochastic processes or ecological differentiation. The hyper-diverse Gammarus fossarum complex (Amphipoda, Crustacea), a keystone invertebrate taxon in Central European streams, provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate mechanisms that facilitate frequent coexistence of its cryptic, genetically divergent lineages. In this bilateral project, we will test several hypotheses related to ecological differentiation and reproductive interactions of syntopic G. fossarum lineages in the Western Carpathians and Eastern Alps (a region with the highest phylogenetic diversity of the complex). Specifically, we will 1) test for trophic differentiation, potential differences in functional morphology, and for assortative mating on field-collected samples, 2) evaluate mate choice and asymmetries in competitive abilities in controlled experiments, 3) test for postzygotic barriers by experimental hybridization, and 4) evaluate effects of microsporidian infections on lineage coexistence. |
