This National Science Foundation (NSF) Geosciences Program (CFDA 47.050) Project Grant award of $536,343 to Rollins College will fund a 3-year study to investigate the effects of rising sea surface temperatures on the distribution, reproductive dynamics, and hybridization of blue mussel species in Hokkaido, Japan. The research aims to (1) re-examine species distributions after 17 years, (2) evaluate changes in reproductive stages, and (3) investigate genetic structures of hybrid populations. The project will integrate traditional genotyping with genomic sequencing techniques to assess shifts in population structure, while also analyzing long-term remote sensing data on sea surface temperature trends and using histological methods to measure reproductive responses. This research leverages Hokkaido's hybrid zones as natural experiments to understand differential species responses to climate warming, providing insights into the mechanisms driving biogeographic shifts, reproductive adaptations, and genetic variability in hybrid systems. The findings are expected to enhance knowledge of climate-related pressures on marine biodiversity and intertidal ecosystem dynamics.
Generated 3/18/25, 3:28 AM