مجال التميز | تميز دراسي و بحثي |
البحوث المنشورة |
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البحث (1): | |
عنوان البحث: |
Low genotypic diversity and long-term ecological decline in a spatially structured seagrass population |
رابط إلى البحث: |
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-54828-1 |
تاريخ النشر: |
05/12/2019 |
موجز عن البحث: |
In isolated or declining populations, viability may be compromised further by loss of genetic diversity. Therefore, it is important to understand the relationship between long-term ecological trajectories and population genetic structure. However, opportunities to combine these types of data are rare, especially in natural systems. Using an existing panel of 15 microsatellites, we estimated allelic diversity in seagrass, Zostera marina, at five sites around the Isles of Scilly Special Area of Conservation, UK, in 2010 and compared this to 23 years of annual ecological monitoring (1996–2018). We found low diversity and long-term declines in abundance in this relatively pristine but isolated location. Inclusion of the snapshot of genotypic, but less-so genetic, diversity improved prediction of abundance trajectories; however, this was spatial scale-dependent. Selection of the appropriate level of genetic organization and spatial scale for monitoring is, therefore, important to identify drivers of eco-evolutionary dynamics. This has implications for the use of population genetic information in conservation, management, and spatial planning. |
المؤتمرات العلمية |
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المؤتمر (1): |
Global Conference on Plant Science and Molecular Biology (GPMB 2017) |
عنوان المؤتمر: | |
تاريخ الإنعقاد: |
11/09/2017 |
مكان الإنعقاد: |
Valencia. Spain |
طبيعة المشاركة: |
Poster presentation |
عنوان المشاركة: |
Linking Plant Demography, Ecological Dynamics and Population Genetics Across Space and Tim |
ملخص المشاركة: |
Connectivity between populations is vital to the survival of extinction-prone plants, including those at risk from local environmental change, as well as pests and pathogens, with globally important implications for applied plant ecology. The metapopulation concept has become the dominant paradigm for exploring the role of connectivity in this context. However, many metapopulation models incorporate very little detail about the underlying dispersal mechanisms (demography), and measures of connectivity based on contemporary dynamics and population genetics. Seagrass is a group of flowering plants that live in shallow sheltered areas along the UK coastline where they form dense green meadows under the sea. It is one of the most significant sources of coastal primary production and it provides a critical habitat for juvenile reef fish and commercial fisheries. During the course of a long-term study of metapopulation dynamics in the seagrass, Zostera marina, around the Isles of Scilly, UK, we quantified demographic heterogeneity, population trends and spatial correlations within and between sampling sites. Here, we compare estimates of population connectivity inferred from these ecological dynamics with estimates of connectivity derived from a published panel of fifteen polymorphic microsatellites DNA markers. We test hypotheses on how long term declines in local seagrass populations are predicted to result in restricted genetic diversity and departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We also explore whether spatial connectivity between local sites mitigates against population genetic changes at the broader spatial scale. This project will aim to combine detailed measurements on individual plants with eco-evolutionary modelling and the latest population genetic and genomic approaches, to better understand the link between demography, dynamics and diversity. The overarching goal of this study is to gain an understanding of the spatial population genetics of eelgrass, Zostera marina. |
الرابط: |
https://plant-science-biology-conferences.magnusgroup.org/uploads/pdfs/gpmb-2017-abstract-book.pdf |
المؤتمر (2): | |
عنوان المؤتمر: |
In Joint Annual Meeting: Ecology Across Borders 2017 |
تاريخ الإنعقاد: |
11/12/2017 |
مكان الإنعقاد: |
Ghent. Belgium |
طبيعة المشاركة: |
Poster and Oral presentation |
عنوان المشاركة: |
Zostera marina in the Isles of Scilly: Linking Demography, Dynamics and Population Genetics Across Space and Time |
ملخص المشاركة: |
Connectivity between populations is vital to the survival of extinction-prone plants, including those at risk from local environmental change, as well as pests and pathogens, with globally important implications for applied plant ecology. The metapopulation concept has become the dominant paradigm for exploring the role of connectivity in this context. However, many metapopulation models incorporate very little detail about the underlying dispersal mechanisms (demography), and measures of connectivity based on contemporary dynamics and population genetics. Seagrass is a group of flowering plants that live in shallow sheltered areas along the UK coastline where they form dense green meadows under the sea. It is one of the most significant sources of coastal primary production and it provides a critical habitat for juvenile reef fish and commercial fisheries. During the course of a long-term study of metapopulation dynamics in the seagrass, Zostera marina, around the UK, we quantified demographic heterogeneity, population trends and spatial correlations within and between sampling sites. Here, we compare estimates of population connectivity inferred from these ecological dynamics with estimates of connectivity derived from a published panel of fifteen polymorphic microsatellites DNA markers. We test hypotheses on how long term declines in local seagrass populations are predicted to result in restricted genetic diversity and departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We also explore whether spatial connectivity between local sites mitigates against population genetic changes at the broader spatial scale. This project will aim to combine detailed measurements on individual plants with eco-evolutionary modelling and the latest population genetic and genomic approaches, to better understand the link between demography, dynamics and diversity. The overarching goal of this study is to gain an understanding of the spatial population genetics of eelgrass, Zostera marina. |
المؤتمر (3): | |
عنوان المؤتمر: |
2nd Global Conference on Plant Science and Molecular Biology (GPMB 2018) |
تاريخ الإنعقاد: |
20/09/2018 |
مكان الإنعقاد: |
Rome. Italy |
طبيعة المشاركة: |
Oral presentation |
عنوان المشاركة: |
Seagrass (Zostera marina) population genetics in a spatially structured natural system |
ملخص المشاركة: |
Seagrass is a group of flowering plants that live in shallow sheltered areas along the UK coastline where they form dense green meadows under the sea. It is one of the most important sources of coastal primary production and it provides a critical habitat for juvenile reef fish and commercial fisheries. However, seagrass experiences numerous local and broader scale threats and is seen to be declining globally. Connectivity between populations is vital to the survival of extinctionprone plants, including those at risk from local environmental change, as well as pests and pathogens, with globally important implications for applied plant ecology. The over-arching goal of this study is to gain an understanding of the spatial population genetics of eelgrass, Zostera marina, in the Isles of Scilly, UK. The Isles of Scilly includes the largest continuous expanse of seagrass in England and Wales and is reported to be amongst the best condition in the UK. However, long term monitoring has revealed worrying declines there. Using an existing panel of 15 microsatellites, we estimated genetic variation in Zostera marina at five sites around the Isles of Scilly and compared this to long term ecological monitoring. We tested hypotheses on how long term declines in local seagrass populations are predicted to result in restricted genetic diversity and departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. As predicted, the level of genetic variation was found to be substantially lower at the two sites observed to be in long term decline. However, while all sites had less observed heterozygosity than expected under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, observed heterozygosity was greatest at the two declining sites, and inbreeding lowest at these two sites. This is contrary to the widely held assumption that low heterozygosity and high inbreeding are signs of poor population health and viability. We propose that the explanation for this is a shift in the relative contributions of sexual and asexual reproduction, likely resulting from the underlying causes of population decline. A collapse in vegetative reproduction through rhizome extension, leaving flowering as the main source of productivity could result in these observations. This not only has implications for understanding seagrass population viability but also wider implications for assessing numerous plant species with similar reproductive strategies. |
المؤتمر (4): | |
عنوان المؤتمر: |
In Joint Annual Meeting: Ecology Across Borders 2018 |
تاريخ الإنعقاد: |
16/12/2018 |
مكان الإنعقاد: |
Birmingham.UK |
طبيعة المشاركة: |
Poster presentation |
عنوان المشاركة: |
Zostera marina in the Isles of Scilly: Linking Demography, Dynamics and Population Genetics Across Space and Time |
ملخص المشاركة: |
Seagrass meadows consider among the world’s most copious ecosystems. The only subtidal species of seagrasses found in the UK is eelgrass, Zostera marina, which grows in shallow water typical of lagoons and harbors. The decline of Z. marina in the UK has led to the development of monitoring schemes, which are used to monitor attributes such as plant condition and population extent. Genetic diversity is correlated with increased production, as in many other systems. It is caused by mutation, random mating between organisms. Population variation is necessary for natural selection because it can only increase or decrease a frequency of alleles that already exist in the population. Moreover, it serves as a way for the population to adapt to a changing environment. There may be other factors that contribute to the range of Z.marina, where climate alone does not predict the distribution of this species. In addition to biotic interactions and traits such as dispersal ability, disturbance can be a major factor. However, no previous study has investigated genetic variation in Z. marina around the UK. Identifying patterns in the degree of genetic diversity within and between sites, as well as connectivity, is essential to understanding the mechanisms behind population declines. This study aimed to quantify genetic diversity from six sites across the south of England: Looe (1 seagrass bed), Plymouth (6 seagrass beds), Salcombe (1 seagrass bed), Torbay (6 seagrass beds), Weymouth (3 seagrass beds) and Gelliswick (Milford Haven) (1 seagrass bed), using a set of fifteen microsatellite DNA markers. We have focused on departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We also explored whether spatial connectivity between local sites on the coast mitigates against population genetic changes at the broader spatial scale. |
المؤتمر (5): | |
عنوان المؤتمر: |
Marine Environment Evidence Conference |
تاريخ الإنعقاد: |
17/09/2019 |
مكان الإنعقاد: |
Swansea. UK |
طبيعة المشاركة: |
Poster presentation |
عنوان المشاركة: |
Combining Genetic Structure and Environmental Variables from Different Meadows of Eelgrass, Zostera marina, in the South of the UK |
ملخص المشاركة: |
Population genetic analysis is an important tool for understanding genetic resources and adaptation, with great potential to inform marine spatial planning and other management decisions. Genetic diversity is correlated with increased productivity in many systems. Genetic variation is also necessary for natural selection because it can only act on the frequency of alleles that already exist in the population, serving as a way for the population to adapt to a changing environment. Here, we aimed to quantify genetic variation in eelgrass, Zostera marina, and identify potential adaptation to local environment from six sites across the south of England and Wales: Milford Haven (1 seagrass bed), Looe (1 seagrass bed), Plymouth (6 seagrass beds), Salcombe (1 seagrass bed), Torbay (6 seagrass beds), Weymouth (3 seagrass beds). Using an existing panel of 15 microsatellites, we estimated genetic variation in eelgrass and compared this to six environmental variables. Most sites were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, indicating little local restriction of gene flow within sites. We also explored whether spatial connectivity between local sites on the coast mitigates against population genetic restriction at the broader spatial scale. Our study highlights the need to understand the link between population genetics and environmental variables to improve responses to threats against this internationally important ecosystem. |
المؤتمر (6): | |
عنوان المؤتمر: |
4th Edition of Global Conference on Plant Science and Molecular Biology (GPMB 2019) |
تاريخ الإنعقاد: |
19/09/2019 |
مكان الإنعقاد: |
London.UK |
طبيعة المشاركة: |
Oral presentation |
عنوان المشاركة: |
The estimate seagrass (Zostera marina) population genetics in Isles of Scilly and South of Coast, UK |
ملخص المشاركة: |
Seagrass is a group of flowering plants that live in shallow sheltered areas along the UK coastline where they form dense green meadows under the sea. It is one of the most significant sources of coastal primary production and it provides a critical habitat for juvenile reef fish and commercial fisheries. Ongoing pollution of coastal waters and changes in water movement and climate may lead to declining populations and viability may be compromised further by loss of genetic diversity. Therefore, it is important to estimate the population genetic structure and genetic exchange in populations. Using an existing panel of 15 microsatellites, we estimated genetic variation in eelgrass, Zostera marina, at five sites around the Isles of Scilly and eighteen sites around south coast of the UK mainland. The over-arching goal of this study is to gain an understanding of the spatial population genetics of eelgrass, Zostera marina. Allelic richness was unexpectedly low within the Isles of Scilly, compared to the UK mainland. However, most sites were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. To test the hypothesis of isolation by distance, we performed a Mantel test on the correlation between genetic distance (Fst) and geographic distance (m). There was no support for the hypothesis that pairwise genetic divergence correlates with distance in the Isles of Scilly. However, there was isolation by distance across the south coast. Connectivity between populations is vital to the survival of extinction-prone plants, including those at risk from local environmental change, with globally important implications for applied plant ecology. The genetic information for Z. marina allows investigation of the genetic basis of physiological adaptation to extreme natural environments such as tidal flats. |
المؤتمر (7): | |
عنوان المؤتمر: |
Joint Annual Meeting: Ecology Across 2019 |
تاريخ الإنعقاد: |
10/12/2019 |
مكان الإنعقاد: |
Belfast UK |
طبيعة المشاركة: |
Poster presentation |
عنوان المشاركة: |
Linking Environmental Variables with Population Genetics in Seagrass (Zostera marina) Meadows from different sites across South West England and West Wales. |
ملخص المشاركة: |
Genetic diversity is correlated with increased production, as in many other systems. it serves as a way for the population to adapt to a changing environment. We aimed to explore whether spatial connectivity between local sites on the coast mitigates against population genetic restriction at the broader spatial scale. Using an existing panel of 15 microsatellites Oetjen et al. (2010), we estimated genetic variation in Z.marina from 18 sites across southwest England and one site of West Wales, UK. linking genetic variation with five variable of the environment that could be predicted to affect genetic diversity. Most sites were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, indicating a little local restriction of gene flow within sites. There is a contribution by environment factors to the allelic richness, clonal richness, and Inbreeding coefficient (Fis). It might contribute to understanding the current status of Z.marina to improve responses to threats against this internationally important ecosystem. |
المؤتمر (8): | |
عنوان المؤتمر: |
2020 MASTS online Annual Science Meeting |
تاريخ الإنعقاد: |
05/10/2020 |
مكان الإنعقاد: |
Online |
طبيعة المشاركة: |
Poster presentation |
عنوان المشاركة: |
Linking plant demography, ecological dynamics and population genetic across space and time |
ملخص المشاركة: |
Connectivity between populations is vital to the survival of extinction-prone plants, including those at risk from local environmental change, as well as pests and pathogens, with globally important implications for applied plant ecology. The metapopulation concept has become the dominant paradigm for exploring the role of connectivity in this context. However, many metapopulation models incorporate very little detail about the underlying dispersal mechanisms (demography), and measures of connectivity based on contemporary dynamics and population genetics. Seagrass is a group of flowering plants that live in shallow sheltered areas along the UK coastline where they form dense green meadows under the sea. It is one of the most significant sources of coastal primary production and it provides a critical habitat for juvenile reef fish and commercial fisheries. During the course of a long-term study of metapopulation dynamics in the seagrass, Zostera marina, around the UK, we quantified demographic heterogeneity, population trends and spatial correlations within and between sampling sites. Here, we compare estimates of population connectivity inferred from these ecological dynamics with estimates of connectivity derived from a published panel of fifteen polymorphic microsatellites DNA markers. We test hypotheses on how long term declines in local seagrass populations are predicted to result in restricted genetic diversity and departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We also explore whether spatial connectivity between local sites mitigates against population genetic changes at the broader spatial scale. This project will aim to combine detailed measurements on individual plants with eco-evolutionary modelling and the latest population genetic and genomic approaches, to better understand the link between demography, dynamics and diversity. The overarching goal of this study is to gain an understanding of the spatial population genetics of eelgrass, Zostera marina. |
المؤتمر (8): | |
عنوان المؤتمر: |
Joint Annual Meeting: Ecology Across 2020 |
تاريخ الإنعقاد: |
14/12/2020 |
مكان الإنعقاد: |
Online |
طبيعة المشاركة: |
Poster presentation |
عنوان المشاركة: |
Environmental DNA (eDNA) to reveal apical degeneration in juniper forests, KSA |
ملخص المشاركة: |
The south western Asir mountains of Saudi Arabia are often characterized by juniper (Juniperus procera) forest community. The montane juniper woodlands, found between 2000 and 3000m a.s.l provide vital habitat for many mammals and birds. To assess the health status of this ecosystem, we aim to use metabarcoding of eDNA samples from a variety of substrates collected from the Asir region, to detect microbial organisms associated with apical deterioration and die-back in J. procera. We will combine 16S rRNA gene sequencing of root microbiome with health metrics such as biomass and productivity. To our knowledge, this study is the first study focussing on deterioration in J. procera, in the KSA. A second aim is to expand the limited knowledge about their distribution and population genetics through the assessment of genetic diversity and relate this to our eDNA findings. These aims will provide valuable baseline information for the conservation and management. |
نحا مقعد مفرح العتيبي
دكتوراه
العلوم والتقنية
Swansea University