Tommi Nyman
Senior Research Scientist
Authors
Runar Kjær David Kniha Andrea Gjestvang Marianne Liplass Svein Wara Victoria Gonzalez Paul Eric Aspholm Tommi Nyman Cornelya Klutsch Snorre HagenAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Ludmila Sromek Kevin P. Johnson Mervi Kunnasranta Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid Britt-Marie Bäcklin Aselle Tasmagambetova Adylkhan Tovassarov Olga Rusinek Heather L. Ziel Ana Rubio-García Tommi NymanAbstract
We studied the drivers of population-genetic structuring and genetic diversity in specialist parasites based on whole-genome resequencing data from 82 Echinophthirius horridus seal louse individuals sampled from 12 ecologically and behaviourally different phocine seal species, subspecies and populations across the Holarctic. We found that the main genetic disjunctions in E. horridus lice occur across seal host species and subspecies, with a further level of population subdivision emerging among host individuals within some populations. Endemic and relict landlocked seal (sub)species host the genetically most distinct louse populations, while lice associated with sympatric marine seals show signatures of occasional gene flow across hosts. Within the latter, the most extreme case is seen in the near-panmictic lice associated with northern European grey and harbour seals, which aggregate in shared rookeries and colonies. Although the louse and seal phylogenies were overall statistically significantly congruent, evidence for similar host shifts in the past is reflected in several conflicts in the phylogenetic trees of the lice and their hosts. Population-level mean heterozygosity and theta in seal lice varied considerably, and both measures of genetic variation were statistically significantly related to host population size. Taken together, our results support a non-adaptive model of parasite diversification, in which geographic and behavioural isolation among hosts drives parasite genetic differentiation, and genetic erosion in bottlenecked hosts cascades up to their specialist parasites. Our results provide new insights into processes that generate parasite diversity and trigger parallel losses of genetic diversity in endangered host–parasite systems.
Authors
Vincent Biard Piia Mutka Mairi Young Marja Niemi Tommi Nyman Milaja Nykänen Mervi KunnasrantaAbstract
While social network analysis was originally developed for human sociology studies, it is also a valuable tool for characterizing behavioural aspects in many animal populations. For instance, social network analysis can be used for assessing the transmission of diseases or information within groups. Here, we describe co-occurrences and potential social associations of ringed seals, Pusa hispida saimensis, in Lake Saimaa, Finland, from 2016 to 2022, based on photoidentification data. Throughout seven successive moulting seasons (April to June), we identified 425 individuals, of which 178 had pairwise co-occurrences in altogether 185 dyads. These seals had a variable number of associates (up to 10), and co-occurrences were observed in 1–7 years. In general, observations of pairs or larger groups of seals (up to five individuals) were rare, and mainly occurred in the two most densely populated basins of the lake. Most of the group observations occurred on ice rather than on rocks. Overall, the fragmented nature of the lake system, site fidelity and moulting habitat availability are key factors that probably affect the observed co-occurrences. Most of the dyads were observed during only one year, which may indicate social tolerance while using the same moulting site. However, 21 dyads were observed during multiple moulting seasons, with some at different sites separated by up to 3 km in different years, suggesting the existence of actual long-lasting associations. Our study represents the first description of co-occurrences and potential social associations in the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. These results can be used for designing and implementing mitigation strategies in case of unforeseen and sudden changes in the environment, such as a disease outbreak.