Understanding dispersal potential in climate-sensitive species

This project aims to investigate the genomic and demographic effects of
climatic changes during large-scale geographic postglacial recolonisation
using V. berus as a study model. This will allow us to assess the mechanisms
underlying previous demographic changes, and most importantly, to predict
the effect of climate change on the population demography of a declining
species. The common adder is characterised by the largest geographic range
among terrestrial snakes, which encompasses most of the Eurasian
continent. Despite this taxon being characterised by low dispersal abilities
and high philopatry, previous studies based on mtDNA have suggested an
initial continental recolonisation event around a million years ago,
subsequently followed by minor colonisation events during the Lower-Mid
Pleistocene glacial cycles. Although, the use of a single locus and the lack of
spatial/climatic hypothesis testing frameworks, may provide weak support.
This project exploits Climate-Informed Spatial Genetic Modelling to test such
recolonisation hypotheses. The complex and diverse biogeographic history of
the common adder makes this taxon the perfect subject to investigate the
causes responsible for recurrent range expansion events. Whole-genome
sequencing data from specimens across the distributional range will be used
to confirm demographic predictions and evaluate genomic regions under
selection in order to assess the potential of populations to cope with future
climatic scenarios.