About the project

Ecological genomics encompasses ecology, genomics and evolutionary biology, and utilizes genomic approaches to address consequential ecological questions. In this project we will apply an ecogenomic approach, by analysis of genome diversity and gene expression, assessing the association of genetic variants to population cycling or intermediate phenotypes of rock ptarmigan. Within the frame of the recently completed comprehensive project, “Rock ptarmigan health and population change” spanning the years 2006-2018, a unique tissue-, and dataset have been created by annual collection of data on this wild bird population. We aim to explore the impact of trophic interactions such as diversity of the gut microbial community, plant-herbivore interactions and role of toxins. The health parameters and tissue collection of Icelandic rock ptarmigan are unique with no such comparable dataset available elsewhere. To convey ecogenomic approach we will generate genomes, transcriptomes, and miRNAomes from the rock ptarmigan to carry out our comparative genomics and tissue-specific expression analysis with the goal to map and characterize genomic regions involved in selection/adaption and to examine how genes are involved in various biological processes such abiotic and biotic stress responses.

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