Projects & Grants
| Disentangling the role of gut microbiome in Lepidoptera trophic niche diversification through taxa with unconventional feeding strategies | |
|---|---|
| Project Id | 25-17553S |
| Main solver | doc. Mgr. Pavel Drozd, Ph.D. |
| Period | 1/2025 - 12/2027 |
| Provider | Standardní projekt GA ČR |
| State | solved |
| Anotation | The larvae of Lepidoptera show a wide array of feeding strategies, from phytophagy to peculiar xylophagy or bryophagy. The switch from ?mainstream? phytophagy arose multiple times; however, the role of gut microbiome in the dietary shifts remains unknown. For other insects, these feeding strategies are associated with many adaptations, particularly change of the gut microbiome. This project aims to unveil the link between the parameters of gut microbiome and host diversification through species with unusual feeding strategies. By combining an extensive sampling with rigorous experiments, we will investigate the composition, transmission, and functional role of microbiome in host nutrient acquisition and dietary adaptation. By employing - omics techniques along with modern statistical, ecological, and phylogenetic tools, this project will provide novel insights into the complex interplay between larvae, gut microbiome, and diet. It pioneers the effort to track the evolution of the processes shaping microbiome assembly and understanding of the evolution of insect trophic strategies. |
