Comparative evolution of polar adaption in Antarctic Desmarestiales versus Arctic Laminariales (brown algae)

海洋大型藻类是极地海岸生态系统中的关键生物。尽管它们对生态系统功能至关重要，但人们对它们的分子生物学仍知之甚少。棕色巨藻在两极半球的岩石海岸上占据主导地位，并形成巨大的海藻床。海带的地理分布和深度分布都受到光照和温度等非生物因素的制约。因此，全球环境变化，例如全球变暖，对海带物种的表现和生存产生影响。在北极，海带目进化成占主导地位的分类群，而在南极，这一角色由Desmarestiales担当。极地条件首先建立在南方(从1400万人开始)。几年前)，紧随其后的是北方(从2百万开始。几年前)；因此，南极海带目动物比北极海带目动物更能适应寒冷的条件，但同时对较高温度的耐受性较差。我们最近建立了第一个全面的北极海带分子数据集，并确定了极地适应和适应高温和辐射的关键基因。在这里，我建议生成一个类似的数据集，以南极洲的Desmarestiaceae，并比较它们的适应潜力和驯化边界。该项目的成果将是极地适应和驯化极地海带的详细图景，并将有助于更深入地了解南极和北极海藻的适应潜力和适应策略。

Marine macroalgae are key organisms in polar coastal ecosystems. Despite their prime importance for ecosystem function, their molecular biology is still poorly understood. Brown macroalgae dominate rocky shores in both polar hemispheres and form huge kelp beds. Geographical as well as depth distribution of kelps is constrained by abiotic factors such as light and temperature. Therefore global environmental changes, e.g. global warming, have an impact on the performance and survival of kelp species. In the Arctic Laminariales evolved into the dominating taxon whereas in the Antarctic this role is taken by the Desmarestiales. Polar conditions were established first in the South (starting 14 mill. years ago), followed by the North (starting 2 mill. years ago); consequently Antarctic Desmarestiales are better adapted to cold conditions but at the same time less tolerant to higher temperatures than the Arctic Laminariales. We have recently established the first comprehensive molecular dataset for Arctic kelp, Saccharina latissima, and identified key genes for polar adaptation and acclimation strategies towards elevated temperatures and radiation. Here I suggest to generate a similar dataset for Antarctic Desmarestiaceae and to compare their adaptive potential and acclimation boundaries. The outcome of this project will be a detailed picture of polar adaptation and acclimation in polar kelps and will lead to a deeper understanding of acclimation potential and adaptive strategies of Antarctic and Arctic kelps.