INTRODUCTION

All living beings are connected and share a common ancestor - the tree of life. Life involves change. It comprises those processes such as reproduction, variation and inheritance. Reproduction is vital and occurs in various modes, sexual reproduction being the dominant one in the eukaryotic kingdom. Nevertheless, several types of asexual reproductive modes evolved and persist.
The main interest of the Karine Van Doninck (KVD) lab is to tackle this fundamental question in evolutionary biology: ‘why do most organisms reproduce sexually?’ We address this question by studying those rare animal groups that abandoned sex. The model systems are the bdelloid rotifers and the Corbicula clams. Rotifers from the Class Bdelloidea are common aquatic invertebrates that appear to be obligate ancient asexuals (“all-female asexuality”). Within the genus Corbicula, several invasive lineages appear to reproduce through androgenesis, a form of “all-male asexuality”.
Besides, our research also focuses on the evolutionary ecology and genetics of invasive bivalve mollusks. Which species invaded the European aquatic ecosystems and what is their colonization history?

The evolutionary genetics and ecology of the ancient asexual bdelloid rotifers.
Project studying the population genetics and the phenomenon of desiccation of the ancient asexual bdelloid rotifers.

Sequencing the genome de novo of the bdelloid rotifer species Adineta vaga.
This sequencing project is done in collaboration with Genoscope (Centre national de séquençage en France).

The evolutionary genetics and ecology of the invasive Asian clam (Corbicula spp.) in Europe.
Study of the invasive Asian clam Corbicula and its particular androgenetic mode of reproduction.

Phylogeography, population genetics and reproduction of an invasive species, the quagga mussel Dreissena bugensis.