Spotlight

Genetic diversity and resilience of corals in the genus Pocillopora.

Florida State University

FSU researcher Dr. Scott Burgess and his team visited the island of Moorea this summer to survey and collect samples on tropical coral reefs. Partnering with Dr. Pete Edmunds of CSUN, Dr. Burgess will shed light on the genetic diversity and resilience of coral, with specific focus on the genus Pocillopora.

 

Photo Credit: Chris Peters, FSU

Dr. Burgess’ team is studying how and why morphologically similar, but genetically divergent, species differ in their response to disturbance in the field. Many corals in the genus Pocillopora (which dominate many reefs in the Indo-Pacific) can look similar to one another and some are often lumped together as one ‘species’ or misidentified on the basis of morphology. We now know that this genus contains multiple genetically divergent and evolutionarily distinct lineages that are ‘hidden’ by morphological similarity and plasticity. However, the ecological and evolutionary consequences of this hidden diversity for coral resilience are unclear at present. On the one hand, such hidden diversity could heighten the risk of extinction because, instead of one large morphologically similar population, there is actually several much smaller populations of different species (that are only identified genetically). On the other hand, such hidden diversity could provide a previously unrecognized portfolio in the capacity of the genus (and the ecological functions it provides) to recover and reorganize after unpredictable environmental changes. His team is currently testing these broad predictions. They have discovered that multiple genetically distinct lineages (at least five so far, probably more) of Pocillopora spp. co-occur at Mo’orea, in French Polynesia. This project combines genetics, field surveys of corals, and size-structured models of population dynamics and connectivity. It is funded by a grant from NSF and being done in collaboration with Prof. Peter Edmunds at California State University Northridge.

The Burgess lab at Florida State University is looking for MSc or PhD students to start Fall 2020. Dr. Burgess is looking for students that are interested in studying evolutionary processes in the sea. Topics include the evolution of larval dispersal and mating systems in marine invertebrates, how environmental variability influences the evolution of plasticity, and the application of these ideas to predicting ecological and evolutionary responses to environmental change. Experience with diving, boating, and/or molecular genetics is desirable. More information on the types of questions we ask and the approaches we take can be found here:
https://scottburgessecology.wordpress.com/research/

Applications are due December 1, 2019. More information on how to apply can be found here: https://www.bio.fsu.edu/grad/ . Note that all PhD or Thesis MS students receive full financial support (teaching assistantships), including a stipend and waivers for tuition.

Before applying, email Dr. Scott Burgess (https://scottburgessecology.wordpress.com/people/ ) with your CV (including the main courses taken) and a description of your research experience and future interests.