Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Phylogeny of the genus Cyclops (Crustacea: Copepoda): Combined Evidence of Morphology and Molecules  (Phylogeny of the genus Cyclops (Crustacea: Copepoda))

Outline
Zooplankton in the genus Cyclops (Crustacean: Copepoda) are both the main prey of fish and important predators of bacteria, protozoans, phytoplankton, and rotifers in cold, freshwater lakes and ponds. Cyclops are often the only crustaceans in high altitude freshwaters and as such they form critical links in the freshwater food webs. Almost all members are cold water forms and all undergo an unusual reorganization of their genomes during development, resulting in dramatic losses of DNA from their somatic genomes. Some Cyclops species are difficult to distinguish on the basis of morphology, resulting in uncertainty (23 – 50) in the number of species in this genus. Forms on different continents may constitute the same species. Other forms inhabiting the same water body may comprise species complexes. A comprehensive analysis of the taxonomy, phylogeny, and genomic reorganizations will be conducted by a team whose collective expertise is in morphological an! d molecular systematics, molecular biology, cell biology, population biology, and ecology. Morphology and molecules will be combined in phylogenetic analyses. Crossbreeding will resolve questions of uncertain species boundaries. Genome size will be used as the first clue as to species identity and to examine for patterns in the amount of excised DNA. The cooperation of scientists working in the Arctic in 2007 – 2009 offers an unprecedented opportunity to collect all or most Cyclops species that inhabit Arctic freshwaters. Collections from north temperate habitats will thus be supplemented with polar collections. Changes in composition and distribution of stenothermal Cyclops in polar habitats may serve as an early warning detection for environmental change. It is desirable that IPY investigators cooperate by sending live and preserved samples to our group. Similarly, our group would be interested in providing data on Cyclops species that would be of use to other p! rojects.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The zooplankton genus Cyclops, while well studied from an ecological perspective in temperate waters, is poorly known from polar waters. Cyclops are suspected to be a major link in the “simple†and thus fragile food webs in polar freshwaters. Knowledge of the global distribution, biodiversity and genetic differentiation among species of this genus may inform us of the evolution of polar taxa over large geographical scales.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Existing countries include United States, Poland, Canada, and Spain. Additional contacts have been made with an investigator at the Institute for Study of Biology in the North in Magadan, Russia.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
A variety of freshwater arctic sites where IPY investigators are working and agree to collect zooplankton samples; circumpolar including Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, Lapland, Russia and Siberia

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 2007 - 2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ability to collect plankton in freshwater lakes and ponds and to ship samples to the United States

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

We will rely on investigators working in freshwater systems to collect and ship samples to us.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No - We will be applying for support from the National Science Foundation and Canadian Embassy. Dr. Holynska has already made an application to SYNTHESYS.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
No

Dr. Holynska has begun a revision of the Cyclops genus, based on morphology. Dr. Wyngaard has sampled a few Cyclops species and obtained preliminary estimates of gene divergence. Dr. Drouin and Wyngaard are collaborating on molecular studies of chromatin diminution.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Project coordination and management will be headed by Grace Wyngaard (James Madison University) and Maria Holynska (Polish Academy of Sciences)

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Grace Wyngaard and Guy Drouin regularly involve undergraduates in their research programs and include students as co-authors on publications. Grace Wyngaard also occasionally presents talks to middle school and high school girls about her science program, with the goal of encouraging young girls to take more math and science courses. Undergraduate and perhaps masters level students will be trained at James Madison University and University of Ottawa. Communication will be through peer-reviewed scientific journals and scientific meetings.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All molecular data will be deposited in GenBank. Vouchers will be deposited in museums along with a relational database that details the genetic sequences and life history data, where available.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National agencies Canadian Embassy Other sources of support

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Grace Wyngaard is experienced in cooperating with international colleagues who collect and send her copepods to rear in the laboratory. She will make it as easy and trouble free as humanly possible to collect and ship plankton samples to her. She will serve as the â€~clearing house’ through which samples can be sent and then distributed to other members of the consortium.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Grace Wyngaard
James Madison University
Department of Biology – MSC 7801
Harrisonburg , Virginia
22807
USA

Tel: 540-568-6668
Mobile: no
Fax: 540-568-3333
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation