Next-generation genomics for marine management and conservation

Whole genome sequencing projects can have a major relevance in understanding health, genetic disease, species adaptive evolution, diversification and conservation. Currently multiple species are having their genomes completely... [ view full abstract ]

Whole genome sequencing projects can have a major relevance in understanding health, genetic disease, species adaptive evolution, diversification and conservation. Currently multiple species are having their genomes completely sequenced, from simple organisms, such as bacteria (e.g. microbiomes), to more complex taxa, such as birds and mammals. Such voluminous sequencing data generated across multiple organisms provides also the framework to better understand the genetic uniqueness of the studied species, allowing the assessment of its evolutionary histories and patterns of genetic diversity, which can be highly valuable for managing marine species conservation effectively, tracking invasive species and saving wildlife with forensic genetics (e.g. coral trade). Recent advances in next-generation genomics retrieved by our research group highlighting metazoan adaptive features, proto-eukaryotic symbiotic associations and its relevance in the conservation of marine biodiversity will be discussed, with emphasis on case studies comprehending neglected invertebrates (including deep-sea inhabitants), namely sponges, cnidarians, cephalopods, as well as more charismatic vertebrate marine species.