2018 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Global evolution of Brachycnemina and their Symbiodinium
| Project/Area Number |
16H04834
|
|---|
| Research Institution | University of the Ryukyus |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
Reimer J・D 琉球大学, 理学部, 准教授 (20452956)
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
|
| Keywords | holobiont / coral reef / symbiont / Zoantharia / biodiversity / evolution |
|---|
| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The goal of this project was to examine the phylogenies and evolutionary relationships of common coral reef zoantharians (suborder Brachycnemina; genera Zoanthus, Palythoa) and their endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae zooxanthellae, with the aim of clarifying the chances of co-evolution of hosts and symbionts, and to reconsider our understanding of Brachycnemina.
We conducted field sampling in numerous locations worldwide, and combined with genetic analyses other specimens from museums and our collection, achieved the large majority of our research goals. Analyses have demonstrated new diversity patterns and more detailed species lists for locations in the central and eastern Atlantic, as well as added data the large revision of the genus Symbiodinium into the family Symbiodiniaceae. Our most recent analyses show that Atlantic and Indo-Pacific sibling host species share related symbionts, and that this diversity pattern, which is different than seen in other benthic cnidarians, appears to have been generated by the closing of the Isthmus of Panama. The generalist nature of many Brachycnemina species results in their wide distribution, which has apparently generated the current patterns of biodiversity of both hosts and symbionts.
|
| Research Progress Status |
平成30年度が最終年度であるため、記入しない。
|
| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
平成30年度が最終年度であるため、記入しない。
|
