Adaptive Genomics for Neotropical species

The founding project of GenoTropics brings together Brazilian and German researchers to jointly explore the genomic foundations of adaptive traits that drive species diversification in the Neotropics. As part of this effort, four hands-on workshops will be held across Brazil from 2023 to 2026 - designed to share cutting-edge genomic tools, foster equitable collaboration, and grow a dynamic, international network of scientists committed to Neotropical biodiversity.

Subprojects

Hybridization of manatees

This project seeks to understand the dynamics of Brazilian manatee populations and the causes and consequences of interspecific hybridization between the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) and the Amazonian manatee (T. inunguis) for the conservation of these endangered populations located around the Amazonas River estuary and Guianas coastline, which may be related to local adaptation of hybrids to an intermediate environment (estuarine-like), surrounded by non-hybrid populations. The analysis will be supported by a new chromosomal-level genome under construction by the VGP consortium

Leader: Fabricio Santos

Two-toed sloths comparative genomics

Whole genome resequencing data from several Choloepus didactylus individuals representing the Amazonian distribution of the species will be compared against a chromosome-level reference genome, recently sequenced and annotated as a collaboration between Leibniz-IZW and the Vertebrate Genomes Project Consortium. Signs of positive selection will be investigated through an in-depth functional analysis and patterns of gene family contraction and expansion and repeat elements will be compared across the lineages.

Leader: Camila Mazzoni

Adaptive divergence among coati populations

Genome-scale analyses will help resolve the taxonomy of this group (Nasua nasua), and understand the genetic bases and adaptive relevance of their morpho-ecological variation.

We will employ whole-genome sequences to investigate the evolutionary differentiation, including signatures of adaptive divergence.

Leader: Eduardo Eizirik

Adaptation to salt- and freshwater in dolphins and manatees

We will use a genomic approach to investigate the genomic basis of adaptation to the same lifestyle (fluvial or marine environment) in different species of aquatic mammals: two species of manatees, Trichechus manatus (marine) and T. inunguis(fluvial), and two dolphins, Sotalia guianensis (marine) and S. fluviatilis (fluvial). Comparative genomic analysis will be performed to evaluate whether convergent changes occurred on the genomes of these species during the independent evolution of similar characters due to the same selective pressures.

Leader: Mariana Nery

Adaptation to tropical waters in sardines

A chromosomal level assembly will allow the use of low coverage resequencing data to identify targets of natural selection. These results will provide insights on 1) whether adaptation is due to structural or regulatory regions, 2) how many fishery stocks exist in this undescribed species that is exploited by humans, and 3) if populations exploited by commercial fisheries show signatures of demographic collapse compared to populations exploited by traditional fisheries.

Leader: Ricardo Pereira

Local adaptation of the lesser-anteater

Patterns of genome adaptation will be investigated using population genomic data representing the entire distribution of the lesser-anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla) across the Brazilian biomes. The data will be compared against a new chromosome-level reference genome for the lesser anteater, currently being finalised as part of a collaboration between Leibniz-IZW and Vertebrate Genomes Project Consortium.

Leader: Camila Mazzoni

Ecological speciation in tapirs

Signs of divergent adaptations between South American species of tapirs, including Tapirus brasiliensis, T. pinchaque, and the recently described T. kabomani will be investigated through comparative genomics. Analysis of allopatric and sympatric populations of T. brasiliensis x T. kabomani will allow the study of divergent signs of adaptation that may be correlated with different niches occupied by different species.

Leader: Fabricio Santos

Principal Investigators

Camila Mazzoni

Research group leader in Evolutionary and Conservation Genomics - Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research.

Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research
Berlin, Germany

Fabricio Santos

Research group leader - Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Mariana Nery

Research group leader in Laboratory of Evolutionary Genomics
University of Campinas
Campinas, Brazil

Eduardo Eizirik

Research group leader in Evolutionary and Conservation Genomics
Laboratory of Genomics and Molecular Biology, School of Health and Life Sciences, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Ricardo J Pereira

Research group leader in Speciation and Hybridization

State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart

Stuttgart, Germany

Ricardo J Pereira

“From extant, reproductively isolated, species it is difficult to identify which genes initiate the process of species formation, and how they affect lineage evolution through time – Darwin’s “mystery of mysteries”. In my research group we apply population genomics methods to a variety of hybridizing taxa that function as windows into the process of species formation. These methods offer insights both into fundamental questions on evolutionary, and in practical questions on conservation biology. I envision using the GenoTropic network to foster equalitarian collaborations between Natural History museums in Germany, where genomic methods are common practice, and research institutions in Brazil, where diversity at the species- and the genetic-level are highest. "

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