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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

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS

Building genetic markers that reflect where an Albatross was born to inform conservation and create opportunities for targeted fisheries management.

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SEA TURTLES OF THE WORLD

Building high-quality reference genomes for the five sea turtle species to combat poaching, assess climate resilience, and inform strategies for population recovery.

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brown sea cucumbers

Assessing genetic variation to guide re-introductions, assess the impacts of fishing, and provide tools to combat poaching.

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JONAH CRABS

Building a reference genome as a foundation for stock assessments that can help build sustainable, well-managed fisheries.

Pinto abalone

Studying the population genetic structure of pinto abalone from Alaska to Mexico to inform the selection of new potential broodstock sources for restoration.

Narwhals

Sequencing genomes from narwhals across fjord systems to assess fine scale genetic structure, management units, local adaptation, and inbreeding for management.

MESOPHOTIC CORALS

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

BINTURONG

Building genetic markers to identify which island confiscated binturongs are from, to help improve binturong reintroduction, rehabilitation, and captive breeding.

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SUNFLOWER SEA STAR

Finding genomic variation that confers resilience to sea star wasting disease, to help shape captive breeding programs and advance genomic resilience.

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JOSHUA TREE

Sequencing 300+ Joshua trees across their range, to find genes related to climate adaptation and map genetic variants to predict climate change risk.

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EASTERN LONG-TOED SALAMANDER

Collecting population genomics data to inform reintroductions and study the effectiveness of recently installed under-road tunnels.

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TAKAHE

Producing a platinum-quality reference genome of the takahē and assessing the genetic variation of the remaining population, to better understand takahē fitness, persistence, and adaptive potential.

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BOLIVIAN JAGUAR

Sequencing jaguar genomes to investigate genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow, to identify areas in need of conservation action and source populations for possible translocations.

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CHINOOK SALMON

Creating a whole-genome, range-wide catalog of genomic diversity in Chinook salmon, to help restore extirpated populations, inform breeding programs, improve monitoring, and target efforts that address species diversity.

EASTERN QUOLL

Building a high-quality reference genome for the Eastern quoll, to help conservation managers maintain functional diversity in populations and re-establish baseline mainland diversity.

SIX WHALES

Building reference genomes for five whale species that represent evolutionary diversity across cetaceans, to help researchers determine taxonomy, breeding structure, inbreeding, local adaptation, and potential response to climate change.

XERCES BLUE BUTTERFLY

The Xerces Blue butterfly was one of the first documented invertebrates to go extinct due to habitat destruction. This team seeks to identify an ecological replacement for Xerces in San Francisco’s Presidio dunes, as part of a larger habitat restoration project.

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