Period: October 2013 till August 2018 Status: Completed
Vlaamse overheid; Beleidsdomein Landbouw en Visserij; Instituut voor landbouw- , visserij en voedingsonderzoek; Kenniseenheid: Dier; Aquatisch Milieu en Kwaliteit, more, organiser
In this project, the population dynamics of higher organisms will be studied to determine how they adapt to the environment and to resolve which genetic factors are involved.
One case of interest is theAmerican comb jellyfish. This is an exotic species, which is invasive in the North Sea. These populations will be mapped on the basis of genetic markers. Subsequently will be determined whether they survive in this region, and whether its presence is the result of re-introductions through ballast water or migration from other seas. Furthermore, we will gain insight into the environmental factors influencing the spread of these jellyfish and the genes playing a role in the adaptation of this species to the environmental conditions of the North Sea. This knowledge is essential for the development of effective control measures.