FNU Coevolution

Framework programme funded by the Danish Natural Science Research Council

project no. 272-06-0584  
 
Co-evolution between vertebrates and their obligate parasites of the bacterial family Pasteurellaceae

 

 

The aim of the project is to investigate the parallel evolution between bacteria and vertebrates. The bacterial family Pasteurellaceae comprises more than 60 species, which all are closely related to a host organism among the vertebrates. Preliminary results obtained from birds and mammals have clearly indicated that the hosts and associated bacteria have co-evolved. The situation among the remaining three large branches of the vertebrates, marsupials, monotremes and reptiles, has until now not been investigated.

The collection of sample material will be based on field studies of marsupials and monotremes in Australia and Komodo dragons from Indonesia. The aim is to isolate new members of the bacterial family Pasteurellaceae. The sampling of free living host animals is essential as bacteria sampled from animals in captivity normally are not representative of the indigenous flora, which often is affected and changed by antibiotic treatment. The isolated bacteria will be characterised by molecular methods to establish their relationship. The comparison of the evolution history of the vertebrates and the bacteria is first and foremost expected to clarify if co-evolution has taken place. Subsequently, the molecular differences between the bacteria will be able to give an estimation of when the species were formed. The results are expected to contribute with a basic knowledge to the prevailing evolution theories as the material must be considered to be unique. The unique collection of bacteria may also contribute to a molecular characterisation of bacterial mechanisms of disease in general and to a greater knowledge of bacterial infections in threatened animals and the control hereof.

 

Project participants:

 

Professor Henrik Christensen, project leader

Professor Magne Bisgaard

Professor Pat Blackall

Associate professor Anders Miki Bojesen

Assistant professor Mads F. Bertelsen