Connectivity and genetic diversity patterns of Southwestern Atlantic corals

• Grant number: 22/14096-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Visentini Kitahara
• Grantee: Jhonatas Sirino Monteiro
• Host Institution: Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMAR). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Sebastião , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06866-6 - Integrating tools and disciplines to understand the future of Southwestern Atlantic shallow-water corals in a changing planet, AP.JP2

Abstract

Genetic diversity is an essential source for biodiversity, providing the raw material for evolution by natural selection. When interconnected, populations tend to preserve greater genetic diversity compared to more isolated populations, which in turn are more susceptible to genetic drift effects. In contrast, more isolated populations at the species' distribution limits have been identified as potential sources of evolutionary innovation, caused by factors such as hybridization and speciation (Budd and Pandolfi, 2010). Such knowledge is essential to define efficient management and conservation strategies. The post-doc candidate will lead a study on the population genetics, connectivity, and genetic diversity from 18 scleractinian corals (15 zooxanthellate and 3 azooxanthellate) and 3 hydrocorals, on the largest genetic effort to study Brazilian coral reefs to date. Sampling will be performed in 12 localities (see supplementary material 1) distributed along the coast and oceanic islands. Once collected, total DNA will be extracted and ezRAD libraries will be prepared for sequencing. The project will use restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADSeq), which are popular cost-effective methods that use restriction enzymes and size selection to sequence random portions of the genome. The candidate will use bioinformatics tools to answer ecological and evolutionary questions such as those related to genetic diversity within species/populations/ontogeny (i.e. juvenile and adults) along with the sampled range of distribution, estimate genetic connectivity among broadcast and brooding species within different depths, and verify the effectivity of marine protected areas to conserving the genetic diversity, correlating genetic data to abiotic parameters (e.g. temperature and light). The post-doc activities include performing laboratory procedures and analysis with the assistance of a doctoral student unrelated to this proposal.