Differential gene expression of Dolichothele exilis in Caatinga ecorregions

• Grant number: 24/20697-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Vera Nisaka Solferini
• Grantee: Fernando Sotero de Lara
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Adaptations are traits that increase organisms' fitness, being selected over generations. In addition to selected traits, species can adjust to specific environments by differential gene expression across their geographic range. Studies in this field are still relatively scarce, especially in non-forest formations. The Caatinga, a semi-arid biome, is the fourth largest Brazilian biome. It is an important component of Neotropical biodiversity and is considered a natural laboratory for studying adaptations due to its strong seasonality of rain periods. Its diversity of soil types and vegetation generates heterogeneous environments, which presents an opportunity for studies on local adaptation. To contribute to the understanding of biodiversity and local adaptations, this research project seeks to investigate the differential gene expression of a lineage of the Dolichothele exilis (tarantula) species in different environments of the Caatinga. The aim is to compare the pattern of gene expression (quantity and types of genes expressed) between samples collected in different environments, using RNA-seq methodologies.