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Description:
Project Manager:
Cheryl Woodley
Project Years:
2019
2020
2021
2022
Project Summary:
Seven Caribbean coral species have been listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act of 1973. Among the major impediments to delisting these species and restoration efforts is sexual reproductive failure. We know low densities of genetically distinct individuals are challenges to successful reproduction and thus recovery of this species. In addition, we know that defined genotypes pair more successfully than others during sexual reproduction. The application of genetic-enabled approaches can improve restoration efforts. This project is testing whether genetic relatedness (i.e., kinship) is a critical feature in predicting reproductive success. Target species are Orbicella faveolata and Acropora cervicornis. Known genotypes will be tested for genetic relatedness from populations of corals that routinely spawn. Specific parental crosses with differing kinship relatedness will be conducted to test for compatibility and fertilization success. In the event that kinship can modulate sexual reproductive success, this information will be used to assist restoration practitioners in the selection and pairing of genotypes for outplanting, to enhance restoration success. Objectives of the project include:1. Identify target ESA coral populations with which to test whether kinship affects the outcome of sexual reproduction. (completed) 2. Conduct specific gamete reciprocal crosses from parents that are closely and distantly related to determine reproductive compatibility and fertilization success. (Completed reciprocal crosses for 10 genets of Acropora cervicornis and 12 genets of Orbicella faveolata) 3. Conduct genetic kinship analysis of parental coral colonies from reciprocal crosses and other available CRF A. cervicornis genets using Acropora SNP chip. Compare results of genetic analyses with fertilization efficiency determined in Y1 for 10 genets. 4. Share the outcome of this project with coral reef restoration practitioners. This project involves several collaborations that include the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) - parental tissue and defined reciprocal genotype crosses were conducted Aug 2019 and fertilization success determined. We will conduct independent genotyping of parents using the Acropora SNP chip developed in Dr. Iliana Baums' lab. This project also involves a College of Charleston master's student, Emily Parsons and Cof C committee member, Dr. Erik Sotka. In addition, Dr. Dana Williams of NOAA Fisheries will be conducting spawning operations for Acropora palmata and Orbicella faveolata on colonies that are part of a long-term study and genotyped and has provided gametes for reciprocal fertilization crosses of Ofav in Aug 2019; Apal spawning in 2019 did not produce sufficient gametes to conduct reciprocal fertilization crosses. Due to COVID and lab/travel restrictions plans to increase our sample size were not possible during Aug/Sept coral spawning 2020.
Expected Outcome:
This project will result in multiple products: raw DNA sequencing data that describes kinship among spawning corals and the outcome of fertilization trials to address the influence of relatedness on sexual reproduction in ESA corals. In addition a MS student thesis will result from this project. Summarized findings will also be distributed through the Reef Resilience Network to reach the wider community of coral reef restoration practitioners.
Project Locations:
- Florida
- International Wider Caribbean
Project Category:
Restoration
Project Status:
Funding Ended
Associated Products:
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