Putative signatures of genomic adaptation to Cuckoo brood parasitism in Reed Warbler hosts across Europe

Abstract

Behaviour is a fundamental defence mechanism for animals facing enemies, yet its plasticity makes finding associated genomic evidence for coevolution challenging. As a solution, we apply landscape genomics methods more typically deployed with abiotic variables to a coevolutionary model system: Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and their Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) brood parasites. Using continental sampling of genome-wide data from hosts breeding under varying brood parasitism rates, we reveal that gene flow varies among populations, and, controlling for variation due to environmental differences, identify genomic regions and putative genes that differ with exposure to brood parasitism. Therefore, our results suggest that variable host responses to selection are possible, even by highly mobile and connected populations, supporting long-held assumptions that behavioural defences may reflect genomic adaptation despite their plasticity. Further studies, including those linking genetic variation to individual-level behaviours involved in parental responses to brood parasitism, are required to confirm a genetic basis to specific coevolutionary adaptations, and to test for other biotic or abiotic variables potentially confounding with local parasitism rate.