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Anne-Cecile Colin

Candidature

PhD Candidate

Thesis title

Exploring the evolutionary history of drought response in Eucalyptus species (Boxes/Ironbarks and Redgums) with genomic, environmental and phenotypic data.

Research project

Anne-Cecile Colin With droughts predicted to increase in intensity, frequency and duration, Eucalyptus trees are facing significant threats from climate change. These changing climatic patterns are putting selective pressure on individuals among populations and species.
The ability to adapt to local environmental changes relies on the standing genetic diversity that trees can benefit from. The Eucalyptus genus is a highly dynamic reservoir of genetic diversity due to its recent radiation triggered by the aridification of the Australian continent. However, exploring the extent to which this genetic diversity is involved in drought response is beyond the reach of traditional population genetic approaches. Indeed, they have significant limitations in the assessment of genetic diversity due to the complex evolution background of present populations. As a result the genetic basis of drought tolerance in Eucalyptus species remains largely misunderstood.

Understanding the evolutionary trajectories of Eucalyptus species and how they can benefit from that shared ancestral genetic diversity has become fundamental. My thesis sits between population genetics, phylogenomics and evolutionary ecology to understand drought response in Eucalyptus species at a broader macroevolutionary scale. My research journey involves using comparative biology to understand evolutionary trajectories in eucalypts, genome-wide data for phylogenetic inferences and phenotype-to-genotype approaches across species.

The outcomes of my thesis will hopefully give a better understanding of the evolution of drought response and the implication of complex macroevolutionary processes such as introgression and incomplete lineage sorting in Eucalyptus adaptation to drought.

Supervisors

Paul D. Rymer (PI), Rose L. Andrew (co-supervisor), Collin Ahrens (co-supervisor), Justin Borevitz (co-supervisor)