Interplay between speciation and adaptation: an 'Omics' study on the effects of human impacts on Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific Zoantharia

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Using a molecular approach and High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) technologies, Dr. Poliseno explored the intra-specific diversity and population structure of the Atlantic-Mediterranean zoantharian Savaglia savalia. Dr. Poliseno investigated the genetic diversity of the Indo-Pacific sponge associated zoantharian Umimayanthus and their hosts. Finally, given the high abundance and diversity observed in the field, the fellow conducted a biodiversity survey of the gorgonian octocorals collected from Okinawajima island and other islands of southern Japan.For population genomics of Savalia savaglia Dr. Poliseno found that individuals collected from 5 geographical distinct areas across the Mediterranean basin (France, Montenegro, Apulia and Sardinia - Italy) and eastern Atlantic (Portugal) grouped into three distinct clusters. Our results showed that asexual reproduction may possibly explain the presence of clonal individuals within some populations. Dr. Poliseno did not find any correlation between geographic distance and genetic structure, whereas we observed that populations at greater depths are genetically more similar, whereas those from shallower areas are very distinct from each-other.The analyses on the diversity of the sponge associated zoantharian Umimayanthus and their hosts suggest the lack of species-specific association. In particular Dr. Poliseno found that, for the specimens investigated, the sponges associated with Unimayanthus belong to at least five genera (e.g. Agelas, Clathria, Cliona, Hymeniacidon and Spirastrella).