Acronym METAFISHCODE
Category
Fisheries
Title Fish genetic diversity and meta-species phylogeography at global and regional scales: implications for fisheries management Programme Nat. Programme (supported by ESIF)
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National-European Coordinator Filipe José Oliveira Costa Coordinator email fcosta@bio.uminho.pt
Coordinator institution
UMinho - University of Minho (Portugal)
Institutions involved
FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal) ,
IMR - Institute of Marine Research (Norway) ,
CSIRO - Marine and Atmospheric Research (Australia) ,
IPMA - Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Portugal) ,
CBMA - University of Minho; Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (Portugal) ,
Start year 2010 End year 2013 Funding (€) € 109,854 Website NA Summary The Fish Barcode of Life campaign (FISH-BOL), launched in 2005, is a major international initiative aiming to create a universal library of genetic tags (DNA barcodes) with the purpose of enabling straightforward identification of any of the estimated 30 000 fish species [7]. The FISH-BOL campaign is part of the broader Barcode of Life Initiative (BOLI), an international venture with the goal of creating a universal system for identification of eukaryotic species based on the analyses of short DNA sequences from standardized regions of the genome. In the case of animals, and therefore fish, the standardized DNA barcode region is a 650 base pair section of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI). Since DNA barcoding was first proposed in 2003 [2], numerous scientific studies have been conducted demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach in species diagnosis in diverse range of eukaryotic organisms. With the growing assemblage of DNA barcoding data, an interesting pattern of variability of mitochondrial DNA become apparent: variability within species is generally much lower than divergence among species, the so-called “barcoding gap”. This pattern has been observed across a wide range of animals [4]., therefore suggesting globally pervasive evolutionary events that influence similarly numerous and distantly related species. We intend to build upon the DNA barcoding approach and the FISH-BOL campaign to examine patterns of fish molecular diversity based largely on a multiple species/single genetic marker scheme. This approach is one of the main strengths of this project and one of the key features that makes it unique. By analysing sequence variability in exactly the same mitochondrial marker in a sizeable number of fish species, and across an unprecedented geographic scale, we will be able to perceive variability patterns in a way not tried yet. Our proposal addresses both fundamental and applied questions pertinent to our knowledge of fish genetic variability and for its employment in fisheries management. We aim to investigate phylogeographic patterns of marine ichthyofauna occurring in Portuguese waters, focusing on species with geographic ranges extending from the cold temperate NE Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea and to Australasia. We plan to employ a two stage approach. First we will compile sequence data of COI for 250 fish species taken from multiple locations across NE Atlantic and Mediterranean, 60 species of which sharing distributions with Australasia. The COI genetic patterns will be examined in light of prior evidence on potential evolutionary history of each species, and considering species-specific life history features. For the 60 shared species with Austrasia, we will also analyse the nuclear gene of rhodopsin, to enable comparison of patterns of genetic variability between nuclear and mitochondrial genes, across a large geographical scale. Then, fish species will be selected for further investigation among those showing unexpected genetic patterns based on predictions from their life history and/or their distribution range across putative biogeographic boundaries. In these species a more detailed examination of genetic partitioning will be conducted using additional molecular markers (nuclear gene of rhodopsin and mitochondrial D-loop) and more intensive sampling. By comparison of populations of selected species with global distributions, it would be possible to explore relationships between ecological traits and levels of connectivity, thereby yielding data highly pertinent for conservation and management. In the process of generating the data above, we will also create a valuable resource for fisheries management in the form of a library of molecular tags for identification of fish species that provides a basis for the development of a diverse array of applications such as: 1) detection of cryptic species, 2) rigorous identification of eggs and larvae and consequent identification of spawning seasons and areas for multiple species, 3) improve detection of new occurrences and alterations in fish species ranges, 4) improving fish identification upon landing and consequently catch statistics, 5) identification of species in fish markets and 6) identification of fish Indeed, there is a clear need for efficient methods for fish species identification, particularly for commercial species. A recent study of worldwide catch statistics concluded that nearly 40% of the catch is not identified to species [8]. The lack of species-level data may have severe implications for fisheries management and conservation. Our recent study indicates that DNA barcodes can be reliably used for fish species identification regardless of the physical distance separating populations. A DNA barcode library of the main commercial species is the first step for development of efficient molecular tools for species identification.
Keywords
Fish;
Fisheries management;
Genetic;
Population dynamic;
Marine Region
76
Not associated to marine areas
0
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