Levantamento e análise da variabilidade genética do gênero Siderastrea Blainville, 1830

Abstract

This study aimed to fill gaps in knowledge about the genetic and phylogenetic diversity of the genus Siderastrea (Blainville, 1830), important coral reef-building organisms, with a greater focus on the species Siderastrea stellata (Verrill, 1868). Partially bleached colonies of the species S. stellata were collected on Gaibu beach, from November 2022 to January 2023 and the genomic DNA of the colonies was extracted using the Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit. A specific primer pair was designed to confirm the species S. stellata and the identification of the colonies was performed by the conventional PCR technique. The analysis of the variability between the colonies was performed by the RAPD technique using 06 random ITS primers. Furthermore, to analyze whether there was genetic variability among the S. stellata samples in the Genbank genomic database, we downloaded all sequences and performed sequence alignment. Subsequently, phylogenetic analyses were performed among the deposited samples using the Mega platform. Finally, in silico restriction enzyme analyses were performed to search for restriction enzymes that could be used to differentiate between the isolates. The results obtained with the RAPD technique did not provide sufficient data to identify genetic variability among the samples analyzed in the present study. On the other hand, regarding the data from the phylogenetic analysis, it was possible to find differences between the sequences of isolates from different regions. There was greater genetic proximity between S. stellata isolates from Panama and Brazil and less proximity to the isolate from Mexico. Siderastrea savigneana stood out as the most distant ancestor within the genus. In addition, it was possible to detect preliminary genetic variations among the populations evaluated, using data from the in silico restriction analysis. Thus, this study provides a first approach to genetic analysis of variability within the species of S. stellata. However, more in-depth studies are needed and may help to clarify the complexity of the genetic variability of the genus, in addition to assisting in management and conservation strategies for these organisms and the marine ecosystems they support.