Acronym NA
Category
Marine Biotechnology
Title Linking genotype with phenotype in variable and changing natural environment - genetic analyses of host-parasite system in salmonid fishes Programme National Programme
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National Coordinator Anti Vasemägi Coordinator email anti.vasemagi@emu.ee
Coordinator institution
EMÜ - Estonian University of Life Sciences (Estonia)
Institutions involved
NA
Start year 2010 End year 2013 Funding (€) € 49,085 Website https://www.etis.ee/Portal/Projects/Display/c6527c01-406b-48ba-b15d-20c07b5ae555 Summary Salmonid populations worldwide are threatened by various anthropogenic factors including construction of dams, pollution and over-fishing. During recent years, there is also a rising concern of increased pathogen load as a result of global warming, as several dangerous salmonid parasites, such as the myxozoan Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae causing proliferative kidney disease (PKD), are expected to expand its distribution and increase in virulence. Currently, PKD is considered one of the most serious parasitic diseases of salmonid fishes being responsible for high mortalities in fish farms as well as in natural populations, which typically occur at water temperatures above 15°C. The main aim of the proposed project is to characterize the host-parasite relationships by studying the spatial and temporal distribution of genetic variation of the PKD agent (T. bryosalmonae) and its host Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and trout (Salmo trutta). Specifically, the project aims to: 1) Characterize the distribution and prevalence of T. bryosalmonae and PKD in trout and salmon populations in Estonia; 2) Determine the phylogenetic origin of T. bryosalmonae in Northern Europe; 3) Characterize the relationships between the PKD prevalence and performance of host in relation to temperature/oxygen challenge; 4) Develop a dense panel of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) linked microsatellites for Atlantic salmon and trout; 5) Evaluate the effect of natural selection on immune relevant genes of juvenile trout and salmon due to PKD during the first summer; 6) Compare the temporal changes in immune relevant genes and presumably neutral markers over generations by using archival scale samples collected over 30 years; 7) Compare the spatial patterns of genetic variability in immune relevant genes and presumably neutral markers within river systems that differ markedly in their temperature regimes. The results of the project are expected to provide important information about the genetic origin of the T. bryosalmonae and genetic basis of PKD resistance in salmonid fishes, giving rare insights into the strength of selection in relation to pathogen abundance and temperature. As such, the proposed work has important applications to aquaculture sector as well as for conservation of native salmonid populations.
Keywords
Fish;
Salmon;
Parasite;
Genetic;
Marine Region
76
Not associated to marine areas
0
Marine Region Map
