Host-parasite interactions: Symbiosis describes the interactions among organisms living in close association, such as parasites and their hosts. However, whether symbiosis is negative or positive can vary and symbiotic interactions can shift along this spectrum with the changing environment. The group studies changes in the symbiosis spectrum for organisms living in coastal environments, focusing on the polychaete Pygospio elegans worm and its
three apicomplexan symbionts, to aid predictions of how climatic changes will impact population persistence and connectivity in future
environments. We use genetic tools, such as ddPCR to document symbiotic interactions and transcriptomics to construct networks of molecular interactions between the symbionts and host.
Developmental mode variation: Developmental mode is a key life-history characteristic for invertebrates with complex life cycles in which one or more larval stages precede the adult stage. We study the polychaete Pygospio elegans, a species polymorphic in developmental mode as a model for understanding developmental mode transitions. Polymorphism in development, also known as poecilogony, is rare among marine invertebrates. We investigate the molecular basis of poecilogony in P. elegans from populations experiencing different environmental conditions.
Conservation genetics & Genetic biodiversity: Our group uses genetic markers (microsatellite, mtDNA and SNPs) to document genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera. The genetic data are important for ongoing and proposed rehabilitation programs to protect the species, specifically in Finland, where the mussel populations retain genetic diversity that has been lost in other populations of its distribution.
Monitoring with eDNA and DNA barcoding: Genetic tools used in the group support genetic monitoring of Finnish nature and our interests are particularly focused on species that are easily overlooked and difficult to monitor with morphological identification alone. Student projects have focused on Apicomplexan protists living in coastal Baltic Sea sediments, symbiotic mites, and insect pests with changing distributions in response to our changing climate.