Description du projet
Programmes de reproduction divergents chez les vers polychètes marins
Les différentes espèces sœurs des Platynereis ont des processus de reproduction différents. Platynereis dumerilii se reproduit une fois après la pleine lune en libérant ses gamètes dans l’eau où se produisent la fécondation et le développement embryonnaire. Peu après, les mâles et les femelles meurent. Les œufs de Platynereis massiliensis se développent en juvéniles à l’intérieur du tube incubateur du mâle: la femelle meurt, le père change alors de sexe et le processus se répète. L’acidification des océans pourrait avoir un impact conséquent et différentiel sur leur survie. Avec le soutien du programme Actions Marie Skłodowska-Curie, le projet MOM-OR-DAD étudiera les bases moléculaires et génomiques des différentes stratégies et périodes de reproduction chez les vers marins Platynereis.
Objectif
Alternative developmental and reproductive programs provide powerful sources of adaptive variation, which greatly enhances survival in changing environments. Yet, how divergent reproductive strategies and traits evolve remains poorly investigated particularly in the ocean, where the dramatic effects of climate change and anthropogenic impact on reproductive dynamics threaten entire animal communities. For this, I plan to close this knowledge gap by investigating the molecular and genomic basis underlying the divergent reproductive strategies and reproductive timing in Platynereis marine bristleworms. These animals are easy to breed in laboratory conditions, are genetically-accessible, and display a kaleidoscopic diversity of reproductive traits in closely-related species. Specifically, I plan to: 1) dissect the molecular mechanisms of the drastically divergent reproductive strategies of the sister species P. dumerilii and P. massiliensis, and 2) decode the genomic basis of alternative lunar reproductive periodicity in Platynereis species. Thus, I will combine my experience in working on the reproduction and chronobiology of these models with evolutionary genetics, population and comparative genomics, functional genomics and transcriptomics strategies mastered in the host lab. On one hand, I will provide ground-breaking insights on how molecular machinery can be drastically rewired generating novel and adaptive combinations of reproductive traits. On the other, I will shed light on the elusive molecular nature of lunar reproductive periodicity, a widespread phenomenon particularly in the marine environment, and its evolution. Currently, endocrine disruption and light pollution are severely affecting animal sexual development and reproductive timing, respectively, challenging the conservation of entire ecosystems. In this context, this research will also provide fundamental resources to better understand their effects on the marine environment
Champ scientifique
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgenetics
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollution
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
- natural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyinvertebrate zoology
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Régime de financement
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinateur
35122 Padova
Italie