| Grant number: | 09/08624-8 |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| Start date: | December 01, 2009 |
| End date: | May 31, 2012 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics |
| Principal Investigator: | João Stenghel Morgante |
| Grantee: | João Stenghel Morgante |
| Host Institution: | Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
Abstract
that during El Niño years the sea surface temperature raises causing the reduction of fish prey availability in the Pacific coast of South America. This fact results in longer and more consuming (energetically) foraging trips. In this sense, stochastic events such as El Niño, create a strong selective pression on the reproduction and survival strategies of this species. In this context, the present study aims to study some aspects of population genetics of two species of penguins, the Magellan (Spheniscus magellanicus) and Humboldti penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) in order to understand species response to global climate changes. This study will allow us (1) to determine the distribution of the genetic variability along the species range; (2) to recover the evolutionary history of the South American penguins (e.g. searching for historical bottlenecks that could affect their genetic diversity); (3) to estimate the historical effective population size and (4) to model future scenarios according to potential climate predictions for the planet. In order to reach these goals we already have the financial support to do the sampling activity (CNPq no. do processo 490304/2008-5l), the collaboration from international institutions (CSA-UPCH Peru, CENPAt Argentina, Univerisdad Austral, Chile) as well as the official permits to collect tissue and blood samples along the breeding colonies of penguins on the South American coast. The genetic variability between and within populations and species will be estimate trough multiloci approach using a mtDNA gene (Dloop) and three nuclear and genes (²-Fibrinogen, ACL, CEPU) as well as 10 microsatellite loci. The population structure for both species will be estimate using all loci. Phylogenetic approaches will be used in order to investigate the origin and the divergence time between species. In addition, population reductions and expansions based on genetic variability will be analyzed. As prime result of this project we expect to evaluate the conservation state of the South American penguins, to recover the evolutionary history of this group and finally to validate the use of the penguins as environmental quality indicators to global warming. (AU)
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