Descrizione del progetto
Programmi riproduttivi divergenti nei policheti marini
Le diverse specie sorelle dei policheti marini Platynereis hanno processi riproduttivi diversi. I Platynereis dumerilii si riproducono una volta dopo la luna piena, rilasciando i gameti nell’acqua dove avviene la fecondazione e lo sviluppo embrionale. Poco dopo, sia i maschi che le femmine muoiono. Le uova di Platynereis massiliensis si sviluppano in giovani all’interno del tubo di covata maschile - la femmina muore e il padre cambia sesso e il processo si ripete. L’acidificazione degli oceani potrebbe avere un impatto consequenziale e differenziato sulla sopravvivenza. Con il sostegno del programma di azioni Marie Skłodowska-Curie, il progetto MOM-OR-DAD studierà le basi molecolari e genomiche delle diverse strategie e tempistiche riproduttive dei policheti marini Platynereis.
Obiettivo
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
Campo scientifico
- 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
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinatore
35122 Padova
Italia