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Evolution, taxonomy and ecology of maErl forming species  (Corallinales) in the Gulf of California-Mexico and Ireland.

Maërl-forming species (Corallinales) can grow unattached and roll with the energy of 'the tides'. When these plants accumulate over time in one area, a large influence is exerted on the environment and the bodies create a suitable habitat for animals and other marine plants. Around the world, each region has a particular assemblage of maerl-forming species. In Europe, the most abundant are Lithothamnion corallioides and Phymatolithon calcareum (protected by the EU Habitats Directive). In the Gulf of California (Mexico) are Lithophyllum margarite, Lithothamnion muelleri and Mesophyllum engelhartii contrasting with the Mexican Caribbean where species of Nogoniolithon are the main free living corallines associated with coral reefs.

Many of these species were described and identified based on the morphology. As there is no information regarding the molecular diversity, worldwide distribution and endemism from the previous regions, this project is focused on investigating the taxonomy, phylogeny, distribution and ecology of maerl. Key areas of investigation in this project are determining the number of corallines species forming maerl beds in Europe and Mexico, investigating if species are region specific, determining the reproduction method of species in Ireland and gaining a greater overall understanding of different assemblages (reproduction, diversity, size and coverage) of maerl forming species on the west coast of Ireland. The funding for this project came from the Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), Mexican Secretariat of Public Education (SEP), Thomas Crawford Award, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Beaufort Award for Marine Biodiscovery to NUIG and institutional projects from the researcher in collaboration.

PROJECT PARTNERS:

• Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Dr. Fabio Rindi.
• Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur, Mexico; Dr. Rafael Riosmena Rodríguez.
• Universidade da Coruña, Spain; Dr. Ignacio Barbara and Dr. Viviana Peña.
• University of Plymouth, England; Dr. Jason Hall-Spencer.
• Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland; Dr. Christine Maggs.

PROJECT WEBSITE:

www.conacyt.mx

FUNDED BY:

Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), Mexican Secretariat of Public Education (SEP), Beaufort Award for Marine Biodiscovery and Thomas Crawford Award, NUI Galway.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Jazmine Hernández-Kantún, M.Sc.
Irish Seaweed Research Group,
Ryan Institute,
NUI Galway,
Galway,
Ireland.

Tel: 353 (0)91 49364
j.hernandez2nuigalway.ie

 

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