Prof. dr. Ellen Decaestecker

Stress ecology
Evolutionary Ecology & Behavioural Ecology
Molecular Ecology & Ecological Genomics

Host-parasite coevolution : Daphnia and its parasites as a model

Host-parasite interactions are a key structuring force in ecosystems, driving coevolution. We study the evolutionary ecology of host-parasite interactions by using the water flea Daphnia and its parasites as a model. The omnipresence of Daphnia parasites in combination with their short generation time and their virulence effects, enable parasites to reduce Daphnia population density and to influence Daphnia population genetic structure. In their �arms race� against the fast evolving parasites, there will be selection and evolution in the Daphnia. Daphnia and its parasites provide an unique possibility to study long-term coevolutionary processes, as both Daphnia and its parasites produce dormant stages, which are conserved in layered pond sediments. This reflects an archive of past evolutionary dynamics in a natural system. Further, we investigate how the biotic and abiotic environment influences defences against parasites. In first instance, we focus on trade-offs in defences between multiple enemies as trade-offs between predator and microparasite avoidance are important in the evolution of habitat selection behavior in Daphnia. Secondly, we investigate how host-parasite dynamics are influenced by changing (eutrophication, pollution and climate change) environments. At last, we investigate the interaction between host-parasite coevolution and metacommunity processes in a spatial context.
"Host-parasite Red Queen dynamics archived in pond sediment", Standaard, 14 november 2007 Summary Article Article NY Times Interview


Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - Ch. Deberiotstraat 32 - B-3000 Leuven - Belgium
phone: +32 16 32 45 80 - fax: +32 16 32 45 75
E-mail:ellen.decaestecker@bio.kuleuven.be
function: Postdoctoral Researcher

Publications


For a reprint contact the author(s) or aquabio[at]bio.kuleuven.be
  • Coors, Anja; Decaestecker, Ellen; Jansen, Mieke & De Meester, Luc. (2008): Pesticide exposure strongly enhances parasite virulence in an invertebrate host model. Oikos 117: 1840-1846.
  • Gandon, S; Buckling, A.; Decaestecker, Ellen & Day, T. (2008): Host-parasite coevolution and patterns of adaptation across time and space Journal of Evolutionary Biology 21: 1861-1866.
  • Refardt, Dominik; Decaestecker, Ellen; Johnson, Pieter T.J. & Vavra, Jiri (2008): Morphology, Molecular Phylogeny, and Ecology of Binucleata daphniae n. g., n. sp. (Fungi: Microsporidia), a Parasite of Daphnia magna Straus, 1820 (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiolgy 55(5): 393-408.
  • De Meester, Luc; Mergeay, Joachim; Michels, H. & Decaestecker, Ellen (2007): Reconstructing micro-evolutionary dynamics from leyered egg banks. In /Diapauzing eggs in invertebrates Springer Verslag : 159-166.
  • De Meester, Luc; Rousseaux, Sarah; Van Doorslaer, Wendy; Duvivier, Cathy; Decaestecker, Ellen; Jansen, Mieke; Vanoverbeke, Joost; Mergeay, Joachim; Stoks, Robby & Declerck, Steven (2007): Leven in een geografische mozaiek van selectiefactoren: een pleidooi voor een evolutionaire benadering van (meta)gemeenschappen bij natuurbehoud Tijdschrift: Water 29/9: 3-9.
  • Decaestecker, Ellen; Gaba, Sabrina; Raeymaekers, Joost; Stoks, Robby; Van Kerckhoven, Liesbeth; Ebert, Dieter & De Meester, Luc (2007): Host-parasite Red Queen dynamics archived in pond sediment. Nature 450: 870-873.
  • Pauwels, Kevin; Stoks, Robby; Decaestecker, Ellen & De Meester, Luc (2007): Evolution of Heat Shock Protein Expression in a Natural Population of Daphnia magna The American Naturalist 170, no. 5: 800-805.
  • Decaestecker, Ellen; Declerck, Steven; De Meester, Luc & Ebert, Dieter (2005): Ecological implications of parasites in natural Daphnia populations Oecologia 144: 382-390.
  • Decaestecker, Ellen; Lefever, Christophe; De Meester, Luc & Ebert, Dieter (2004): Haunted by the past: Evidence from dormant stage banks of microparasites and epibionts of Daphnia Limnology and Oceanography 49(4, part 2): 1355-1364.
  • Ebert, Dieter; Carius, Hans Joachim; Little, Tom & Decaestecker, Ellen (2004): The Evolution of Virulence When Parasites Cause Host Castration and Gigantism The American Naturalist 64: S19-S32.
  • Decaestecker, Ellen; Vergote, A.; Ebert, D. & De Meester, Luc (2003): Evidence for strong host clone parasite species interactions in the Daphnia-microparasite system. Evolution 57: 784-792.
  • Decaestecker, Ellen; De Meester, Luc & Ebert, D. (2002): In deep trouble: habitat selection constrained by multiple enemies in zooplankton. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 99: 5481-5485.