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ANNOUNCING: 2023 AWARDEES FROM THE WILD GENOMES–Kelp forest COMPETITION

1

Bull kelp

Principal Investigator: Filipe Alberto, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Will study the genomic architecture related to the temperature response in bull kelp to inform plans to mitigate climate change impacts on kelp forests.

2

sea otters

Principal Investigator: Terrie Williams, University of California, Santa Cruz

Will sequence samples from sea otters to estimate inbreeding, construct a pedigree for this subpopulation and create a high-quality dataset to inform future translocation efforts for this species.

3

black abalone

Principal Investigator: Fabiola Lafarga De La Cruz, Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education

This project will generate much-needed genomic data on surviving populations of black abalone to help with conservation of this endangered species.

4

blue mussels

Principal Investigator: Stefan Prost, University of Oulu

Will develop a rapid, relatively inexpensive genomic monitoring strategy based on the genomics of blue mussels to detect kelp forest ecosystems under environmental stress.

5

brown seaweed

Principal Investigator: Samuel Starko, University of Western Australia

Will collect reproductive individuals for biobanking and support the sequencing and assembly of genomes from two Cystophora species of brown seaweed.

6

sea dragons

Principal Investigator: Josefin Stiller, University of Copenhagen

Will sequence the genomes of leafy and common sea dragons to better understand current population health status and improve conservation risk assessment of these kelp-dwelling fishes.

7

pyjama sharks

Principal Investigator: Romina Henriques, University of Pretoria

Will Generate the first detailed reference genome for pyjama sharks.

AWARDEES FROM THE WILD GENOMES–Amphibians COMPETITION

1

Laos Warty Newt

Principal Investigator: Dr. David Weisrock, University of Kentucky – Using a top-down genomic approach to develop a cost-effective molecular toolkit for the conservation of an endangered newt (Laotriton laoensis).
2

CHYTRID FUNGUS

Principal Investigator: Andrea Schreier, University of California, Davis – Enable rapid field detection of the amphibian fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis using a CRISPR-based SHERLOCK assay.
3

Chile Mountains false toad

Principal Investigator: Danté Fenolio, San Antonio Zoo Center for Conservation and Research – Complete a reference genome for the Chile Mountains false toad (Telmatobufo venustus) to help develop a national conservation plan for this species and other false toads endemic to Chile.
4

Vietnamese crocodile newt

Principal Investigator: Tao T. Nguyen, Institute of Genome Research – Sequence the unusually large and complex genome of the Vietnamese crocodile newt (Tylototriton vietnamensis) to provide a resource for scientists and inform conservation of the species.
5

Andean Jambato harlequin frog

Principal Investigator: Sarah Fitzpatrick, Michigan State University – Develop a reference genome for the Andean Jambato harlequin frog (Atelopus ignescens) to characterize a recent genetic bottleneck and improve recovery of a species once thought to be extinct.

AWARDEES FROM THE WILD GENOMES–MARINE COMPETITION

1

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS

Principal Investigator: Jessie Beck, Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge; Co-PI: Diana Baetscher, NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center – Building genetic markers that reflect where an Albatross was born to inform conservation and create opportunities for targeted fisheries management.

Learn more about the project

2

SEA TURTLES OF THE WORLD

Principal Investigator: Camila Mazzoni, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research – Building high quality reference genomes for five sea turtle species to inform strategies for population recovery and resilience.

Learn more about the project

3

PINTO ABALONE

Principal Investigator: James Dimond, Western Washington University; Co-PI: Josh Bouma and Ryan Crim, Puget Sound Restoration Fund – Studying the population genetic structure of pinto abalone from Alaska to Mexico to inform the selection of new potential broodstock sources for restoration.
4

JONAH CRABS

Principal Investigator: Andrea Bodnar, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute – Building a reference genome as a foundation for population genetic assessment throughout the Jonah crab’s range (the Eastern seaboard from Canada to Florida).
5

NARWHALS

Principal Investigator: Marie Louis, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark – Sequencing genomes from narwhals across fjord systems to assess fine scale genetic structure, management units, local adaptation, and inbreeding for management.
6

BROWN SEA CUCUMBER

Principal Investigator: Nina Overgaard Therkildsen, Cornell University – Assessing genetic variation among populations to guide re-introductions, support genetic rescue programs, assess the impacts of fishing, and provide practical enforcement tools to combat poaching.
7

MESOPHOTIC CORALS

Principal Investigator: Daniel Barshis, Old Dominion University; Co-PI: Veronica Radice, Old Dominion University – Building reference genomes for two coral species, both reef specialists of American Sāmoa. The reference genomes will inform a new conservation project with the National Park Service testing thermal thresholds and climate resilience of these two species.

AWARDEES FROM THE WILD GENOMES–Terrestrial COMPETITION

1

Binturong

Principal Investigator: Irhamna Putri Rahmawati, Yogyakarta Nature Conservation Foundation, Indonesia

Learn more about the project

2

Joshua Tree

Principal Investigator: Jeremy Yoder, California State University Northridge

Learn more about the project

3

EASTERN LONG-TOED SALAMANDER

Principal Investigator: Julie Lee-Yaw, University of Lethbridge, Canada

Learn more about the project

4

CHINOOK SALMON

Principal Investigator: Mariah Meek, Michigan State University
5

XERCES BLUE BUTTERFLY

Principal Investigators: Athena Lam, Chris Grinter, David J. Bettman, Matthew Van Dam, and Durrell D. Kapan, Center for Comparative Genomics and the Department of Entomology, California Academy of Sciences
6

Bolivian JAGUAR

Principal Investigator: Paola Nogales Ascarrunz, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés Bolivia
7

Sunflower Sea Star

Principal Investigators: Michael Dawson and Lauren Scheibelhut, University of California, Merced
8

Six whales

Principal Investigator: Phil Morin, NOAA Fisheries, in collaboration with Vertebrate Genomes Project and the Frozen Zoo at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
9

TAKAHĒ

Principal Investigator: Lara Urban, University of Otago, in collaboration with the Vertebrate Genomes Project and the Takahē Recovery Programme, New Zealand
10

EASTERN QUOLL

Principal Investigator: Charles Feigin, University of Melbourne, Australia

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