Using whole-genome sequencing of the Iherings green lizard to uncover the genomic basis of environmental adaptation along the Atlantic Forest

• Grant number: 23/16814-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: July 17, 2024
• End date: July 16, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Applied Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Miguel Trefaut Urbano Rodrigues
• Grantee: Mariana Mira Vasconcellos
• Supervisor: Hannes Svardal
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University Of Antwerp, Belgium
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/08308-0 - COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL RESPONSES TO PAST CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST BIOTA: DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES AND LOCAL ADAPTATION, BP.PD

Abstract

This research proposal aims to unravel the genomic basis of environmental adaptation in the Ihering's Green Lizard (Enyalius iheringii) across the Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot in South America. The project focuses on generating a high-quality, chromosome-level reference genome for E. iheringii and utilizing genomic tools to characterize spatial genomic variation across its range. By employing a genome-environment association approach, the study aims to identify adaptive loci associated with climatic variation along the steep latitudinal gradient of the Atlantic Forest. Population genetic analyses, including RADseq data and landscape genomics, will shed light on gene flow and local adaptation dynamics. Additionally, gene ontology enrichment analyses will infer the functional significance of the identified adaptive loci. The expected outcomes include a comprehensive understanding of the adaptive genomic landscape in the Atlantic Forest and the development of valuable genomic resources for conservation efforts. This project, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Hannes Svardal at the University of Antwerp, will benefit from the host lab's expertise in whole-genome assembly and vertebrate evolutionary genomics, contributing to the field of conservation genomics of the Atlantic Forest.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FRENCH, CONNOR; DAMASCENO, ROBERTA; VASCONCELLOS, MARIANA; RODRIGUES, MIGUEL; CARNAVAL, ANA; HICKERSON, MICHAEL. Elevational Range Impacts Connectivity and Predicted Deme Sizes From Models of Habitat Suitability. Molecular Ecology, v. 34, n. 1, p. 18-pg., 2024-11-21. (13/22477-3, 11/50146-6, 19/08308-0, 15/11498-5, 23/16814-9)