Viviane G. Ali
Msc. in Genetics
Personal website
Preliminary Results
coral and elasmobranch diversity of Panama
The Pocillopora species complex conundrum
mithocondrial ORF gene marker was sequenced to taxonomically identify a representative set of Pocillopora spp. colonies inhabiting the Panama TEP reefs. Two mithocondrial lineages were identified (agreeing with published data by Pinzón et al. 2013, Schmidt-Roach et al. 2014 and updates by Johnston et al. 2017).
Benthonic Composition
Clear differences could be seen when comparing the benthonic composition of coral reefs between Panama continental islands and Costa rica's pelagic Coco island. As well as a substantial difference between completness among sampled locations.
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It seems, the most reasonably reason for the incompleteness obtained for Panama samples is related to the number of sequences (ASVs) that could not be taxonomically assigned with current databasesa vailable. I'm currently updating the databases to rerun this assignments.
Novel specific primers for Pocillopora spp. of the Panama TEP
Specific novel primers for a internal highly variable fragment of the mitochondrial ORF, standard marker gene for the taxonomic identification of Pocillopora spp., were design and tested. Results corresponded with barcoding results and identify two Pocillopora species in the Panama TEP.
Additionally, the environmental DNA approach with this primers generated a first sketch of the distribution of these species in panamanian pacific coral reefs.
Fishermen as wisemans of the sea
A first distribution map could be drawn following the empirical knowledge of the communities dedicated to artisanal fishing, that help during the first sampling season.
The leaders of these communities are open to collaborate and feel genuine concern for the future of their coasts and the resources they rely on.
The empirical knowledge of this men showed a rich community of species that, they tell, used the estuaries and coasts as nursury areas.
Adult females seize it by giving birth to their offspring and the young individuals seize it by growing safely, far away from their adult counterparts and harsh pelagic conditions.