Research
Origination and maintenance mechanisms of genetic diversity of cichlid fishes from African Lake Tanganyika
Supervisor Walter Salzburger and Julia MI Barth
The conservation of genetic diversity is of paramount importance for long-term species survival due to the essentiality of gene pools with sufficient variability for species adaptation to environmental changing, especially in order to resist to the increasing anthropogenic impacts. During my PhD we’re interested in how genetic diversity is determined, using whole-genome sequencing (Illumina 150 bp PE, 10 to 15x coverage) population data (12 specimen per species) of at least 30 species of cichlid fishes of different tribes from African Lake Tanganyika. Covering both population and species level, this data is ideal set to elucidate one of the main evolutionary open question, how genetic diversity originates and is maintained.
Flounder mislabeling metanalyses
Supervisor Antonio Solé-Cava
Flounder is among the most popular and highly valued seafood products marketed in Brazil. However, substitution rates are poorly known. In this project, we used mitochondrial sequencing to estimate the prevalence of mislabelling in the Brazilian flounder trade. Our findings of 50% mislabelling, with prevalence in the supply chain extremities, increasing 44% in the last five years, and with Panga as the most common species, showed the need for updated and consistent labelling regulations and more stringent control of flounder sales in street markets and restaurants.
Tim Reckmann from Hamm, Deutschland, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
What’s that sushi?
Supervisor Antonio Solé-Cava
Collaboration Soares Rafaela internship
The Normative Instruction number 53 regulates the sale of fishes such as salmon, tuna and haddock, commonly found in the form of sushi and sashimi in Japanese cuisine restaurants, but does not regulate the sale of fish under the whitefish label, a name also strongly present in these establishments. On this project, we intend to identify, through the sequencing of mitochondrial genes the fish species present in Japanese food sold in different restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, providing subsidies for regulation and inspection of this trade.
Target-enrichment of mitochondrial genomes from economical relevant Brazilian fishes
Collaboration Alvarenga Marcela masters project
The Normative Instruction number 53 regulates the sale of fishes such as salmon, tuna and haddock, commonly fish found in the form of sushi and sashimi in Japanese cuisine restaurants, but does not regulate the sale of fish under the whitefish label, a name also strongly present in these establishments. On this project, we intend to identify, through the sequencing of mitochondrial genes the fish species present in Japanese food sold in different restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, providing subsidies for regulation and inspection of this trade.
Karl Ragnar Gjertsen KrgThis photo was taken by Karl Ragnar Gjertsen.Please credit this photo Karl Ragnar Gjertsen in the immediate vicinity of the image., CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Mislabelling in the commerce of codfish, the leading imported fish in Brazil
Supervisor Antonio Solé-Cava
Collaboration Belau Carine masters project
The fish known as Cod, represents one of the most economically important international fisheries. Cod and its by-products are often incorrectly labeled, with the replacement of Atlantic and Pacific Cod (Gadus morhua and Gadus macrocephalus) by cheaper species such as Alaskan Polka (Gadus chalcogrammus) and Ling (Molva molva). Seeking to identify and estimate the prevalence of such substitutions, this project uses the sequencing of mitochondrial genes to determine which fishes species are most used in the practice, in addition to quantifying the prevalence of substitution by type of denomination.