Corbicula clam
The clam genus Corbicula includes both sexually reproducing species and hermaphrodites, the latter ones reproducing through androgenesis or strict paternal inheritance. Androgenesis seems rare in the animal kingdom, though is observed in multiple species of the genus Corbicula. Corbicula therefore represents the ideal system to study the evolutionary consequences of “all-male asexuality” and how this reproductive mode originated. Besides its unique mode of reproduction, Corbicula became a successful invasive freshwater mollusc lineage.
Evolutionary genetics and ecology : studying evolutionary processes at the population level
Using an integrative approach combining both mitochondrial and nuclear markers we seek to study population dynamics between and within sexual and androgenetic Corbicula lineages and lift the veil on the origin of androgenesis. In addition, genetic and cytological methods are used to study the maintenance of such an odd reproductive mode in the clam genus Corbicula.
- 2009-2012: FNRS FRFC grant 2.4.655.09.F “The evolutionary genetics and ecology of the invasive Asian clam (Corbicula spp.) in Europe, and of the ancient asexual bdelloid rotifers.”
- 2011-2015: FNRS PhD grant to Emilie Etoundi
- 2013-2015: FNRS PDR project 14596412 (CARMA: Corbicula As a Relevant Model for Androgenesis
- 2016-2022: Teaching assistant + PhD student Martin Vastrade (studying Corbicula clams from Lake Biwa, Japan)
- 2019-2020: FNRS PINT-Bilat-M grant with Japan 33881687: “Lake Biwa (Japan): a Corbicula biodiversity and hybridization hotspot.”
Spermatogenesis : the formation of unreduced sperm in Corbicula lineages
The process by which unreduced sperm is formed in androgenetic Corbicula remains unknown. Is meiosis maintained or aborted during spermatogenesis of those asexual clams? By combining cytology with methods of DNA quantification we investigate the evolution of ploidy during sperm formation in sexual and asexual Corbicula lineages.
- 2011-2015: FNRS PhD grant to Emilie Etoundi
- 2013-2015: FNRS PDR project 14596412 (CARMA: Corbicula As a Relevant Model for Androgenesis)
