FPU2025 - Hybridisation and the redistribution of marine biota

Hybridisation, or the production of viable offspring as a result of crosses between different species or divergent genotypes, is an increasingly frequent phenomenon as a result of human activities. Opportunities for hybridisation are greatly enhanced by habitat alteration (e.g. removing physical barriers) or human-mediated transport (intentional or unintentional) of species globally. In addition, human-induced climate change forces species to migrate away from their native habitats, which may lead to hybridisation among previously isolated species or genotypes. Human activities are thus providing opportunities for hybridisation at an unprecedented level. This has important conservation implications as hybridisation directly increases extinction rates of rare / endangered species and causes major alterations in species distributions. Consequently, studies are urgently warranted to understand how hybridisation will affect global biodiversity in the future. This project proposes an innovative multidisciplinary approach that explores and evaluates the links between the consequences of hybridisation and global change. This project will combine experimental studies of hybrid fitness with population genomic data to foresee changes in species distributions of both hybrids and non-hybrids. An improved understanding of the effects of hybridisation is fundamental to guide future conservation efforts and prevent economic hazards in economically-important activities