This study develops and validates an environmental RNA (eRNA) method to detect and quantify specific life stages of Schistosoma mansoni in water samples, outperforming environmental DNA (eDNA) in sensitivity and stage discrimination.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Oct 28, 2026Peer-reviewedEcology

Decoupling epigenetic variation from genetic variation reveals complementary dimensions of coral eco-evolutionary dynamics

Pauline Buso, Jeanne Gouspy, Riccardo Rodolfo‐Metalpa, Julien de Lorgeril, Victor E. Bonito, Guillaume Mitta, Océane Romatif, Juliette Pouzadoux, Laurent Fouré, Alexandre Fellous, Pauline Auffret, Camille Clérissi, Ève Toulza, A. Valdivieso, Jérémie Vidal‐Dupiol, Olivier Rey

The paper decouples genetic and epigenetic variation in corals to show they provide complementary insights into eco-evolutionary dynamics.

bioRxiv · Aug 9, 2026 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology

Evidences that host genetic background more than the environment shapes the microbiota of the snail Bulinus truncatus, an intermediate host of Schistosoma species.

Mathilde Jaquet, Philippe Douchet, Ève Toulza, Thierry Léfèvre, Bruno Senghor, Jérôme Boissier, Olivier Lepais, Emilie Chancerel, Benjamin Gourbal, Olivier Rey

This study shows that host genetics, not environment, primarily shapes the microbiota of Bulinus truncatus snails, with geographic distribution having a smaller effect.

Molecular Ecology · Mar 1, 2026Peer-reviewedEcology

Non-invasive eDNA reveals the ecological and genetic status of the Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus) in the Eastern Pyrenees

Pauline Buso, Paris Céleste, Manon Canal, Morgane Tassaint, Sylvain Danielo, Anaïs Gibert, Rupert Palme, Sabine Macho‐Maschler, Christel Llauro, Gwenaël Jacob, Valérie Delorme‐Hinoux, Joris A. M. Bertrand, Olivier Rey

The paper uses non-invasive eDNA from fecal samples to assess the ecological and genetic status of the Western Capercaillie in the Pyrenees, finding low genetic diversity and inbreeding.

Environmental DNA · Mar 1, 2026Peer-reviewedEcology

Transcriptomic plasticity in hybrid schistosomes can contribute to their zoonotic potential

Nelia Luviano, Eglantine Mathieu‐Bégné, Julien Kincaid-Smith, Olivier Rey, Marion Picard, Cristian Chaparro, Jean‐François Allienne, Anne Rognon, Bruno Polack, Isabelle Vallée, Myriam Thomas, Jean-Jacques Fontaine, Jérôme Boissier, Eve Toulza

This study identifies transcriptomic plasticity in hybrid schistosomes and S. bovis across hosts, revealing genes and processes linked to zoonotic potential and host adaptation.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · Jan 8, 2026Peer-reviewedEvolutionary Biology

Reconstructing the dynamics of past coral endosymbiotic algae communities using coral ancient DNA (coraDNA)

Olivier Rey, Delphine Dissard, Ève Toulza, Thomas Guinebert, Mathilde Saccas, Jean‐François Allienne, John Butsher, Mourad Bensalah, Guillaume Iwankow, Christelle Tougard, Jérémie Vidal‐Dupiol

This study reconstructs past Symbiodiniaceae communities in Porites lobata corals using ancient DNA, revealing stable core microbiota and changes during extreme heat events.

Coral Reefs · Mar 3, 2025Peer-reviewedEvolutionary Biology

Morphological and Genomic Characterisation of the Hybrid Schistosome Infecting Humans In Europe Reveals a Complex Admixture Between Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis Parasites.

Julien Kincaid-Smith, Alan Tracey, Ronaldo de Carvalho Augusto, Ingo Bulla, Nancy Holroyd, Anne Rognon, Olivier Rey, Cristian Chaparro, Ana Oleaga, Santiago Mas-Coma, Jean‐François Allienne, Christoph Grunau, Matthew Berriman, Jérôme Boissier, Ève Toulza

The paper characterizes a hybrid schistosome in Europe, revealing its genomic composition and compatibility with hosts, and improves the genome assembly of its parental species.

bioRxiv · Jan 3, 2019 · PreprintGenomics