Genomes to Ecosystems

Page 1

LECTURE 1

Understand dynamics of genetic and ecological change in biological systems, from genomes to ecosystems.

Coral bleaching

Corals: colonial cnidarians, feed on phytoplankton

​​​​​​​Distribution: shallow, warm, nutrient poor water around tropics

Exceptionally biodiverse - total number of all marine species ~1.5 million, >50% in coral.

Cycles of radiation and extinction in Scleractinians (coral families); major extinction events correspond to rapid and cataclysmic environmental changes; radiations - favourable habitats ocean physiochemistry.

Have evolved facultative endosymbiosis with zooxanthellae dinoflagallate algae

Algae get nutrient-rich stable refuge, coral gets nutrients from algae (90% of algal nutrients used by coral, incl. 2 essential amino acids)

Evidence of genomic co-evolution and co-adaptation

Zooxanthellae clades are specific to particular coral families

Under stressful conditions, algae produce clouds of reactive oxygen species (ROI), which cause oxidative damage, DNA mutations, and cell death.

Coral boots them out

Many "stressful conditions" caused by mankind

Man-made environmental stressors affecting coral bleaching

CO2 emissions and climate change --> sea surface temperature increases

Ozone depletion --> increased solar radiance

Deforestation --> silt deposition (anoxia)

Overfishing --> prey overabundance (anoxia)

Apply of evolutionary, ecological, and molecular-genetic principles and processes to a wide range of topics, from sexual conflict to climate change

​​​​​​​Services ecosystem provides to humans: habitat for fisheries, biodiversity, medicine/drug discovery, carbon sinks, coastal protection, tourism

Coral bleaching conservation and protection:

Marine Protected Areas provide conservation status and prevent physical damage to reef (incl. associated communities) - but only 0.5% of ocean is "no-take", 4% partly protected

Cause of coral bleaching difficult to assess/address - climate change

Increased oceanic CO2 --> acidification --> carbonate deposition more difficult

Appreciate that zoologists and ecologists can wear lab coats too and aren’t all smoothie drinking softies.​​​​​​​

Page 2

LECTURE 2

Pattern and process: evolution and selection

Principals of natural selection

Natural selection and the modern synthesis

How can selection act on phenotypes

Quantitative genetics and heritability

Special cases: sexual selection