‘Conservation genetics in bioconstructive marine species (endangered and invasive), indicators of global change’

Ana Cabero del Río, Angel González Delgado, Caridad Zarzo Cardeña, Gregorio Bigatti, José Luis Goy y Goy, José Templado, Marco Oliveiro, Marta Calvo Revuelta, Pablo Enrique Penchaszadeh, Patricia Cabezas Padilla, Patricia Andrea Miloslavich Stephany, Roberto Santiago Pastorino.

Bioconstructive species are acutely sensitive to certain types of disturbance, and many are currently undergoing some scale of regression. The threat of extinction hanging over these species has been ascribed in part to the effects of “global change”.

In order to provide the necessary scientific data for the management of species like Astroides calycularis, Oculina patagonica, Cladocora caespitosa, Acropora cervicornis, Dendropoma petraeum and Dendropoma corrodens, studies will focus on their reproduction, the quantification of intra- and interpopulation genetic variability, and fossil remains from different periods.

Basic data can then be extracted from this information (reproductive cycles, variability parameters) and input to management measures that will be effective in combating the negative pressure they are now suffering. The paleoclimatic data obtained from fossil remains will also enable a correlation to be established between climate change and survival response in these organisms.