Ciência no Ecrã (Science on the Screen) é o novo Ciclo de Seminários Online do Departamento de Biologia em que cientistas convidados falam de ciência e dão a conhecer os seus trabalhos de investigação em cerca de 30 minutos. Desta vez a oradora será Sofia Duarte, investigadora do Centro de Biologia Molecular e Ambiental da Universidade do Minho.
A segunda temporada irá decorrer quinzenalmente, à segunda-feira, até ao final de março de 2021.
8 Feb | 12:00 |
Resumo/Abstract
In coastal ecosystems, non-indigenous species (NIS) are recognized as a major threat to biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and socio-economic activities. One of the major vectors, responsible for the transfer of marine NIS, is transoceanic shipping via ballast waters and hull fouling. The ports and marinas, where these vessels dock, often act as hubs for the spread of NIS to close vicinities, where they can become invasive and establish prosperous populations. Thus, the detection of an invasive species soon after its introduction, when the population is still confined to a small area and at a low density, maximises the probability of eradication or effective local management. While visual surveys based on morphological identification of taxa have been largely contributing to ascertain the current status of NIS in coastal habitats, this process is expertise-demanding, laborious and time consuming. In addition, an accurate identification in aquatic systems may be hindered by low visibility waters, as well as by the presence of various life stages not amenable to morphological identification or due to low density (e.g., newly arriving NIS). On the other hand, DNA-based tools, in particular DNA metabarcoding is morphology and life-stage independent, which allied with its high throughput, sensitivity and accuracy makes this technique particularly suited for the early detection of NIS in aquatic ecosystems. Here I will present a systematic review on the use of DNA metabarcoding for NIS surveillance in aquatic coastal ecosystems in order to answer if we are already prepared to implement it in regular biosurveillance programs. I will also present a SWOT analysis where the strengths, the weaknesses, the opportunities and the threats to the wider implementation of DNA metabarcoding in bioinvasion ecology will be evaluated in comparison with traditional morphology-based approaches. I will finish with the current status of NIS in Portuguese coastal ecosystems and how the NIS-DNA project ? an FCT funded project leaded by CBMA - can help to integrate DNA metabarcoding in NIS management.
