The impact of Chromosomal Reshuffling in the karyotype evolution of the red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata)

Abstract

The student is an undergraduate research fellow since 01/01/2023. In the first 12 months of his IC project, integrative analyzes involving cytogenetics, genomics, and bioinformatics techniques in the pale-breasted thrush Turdus leucomelas were carried out. As a result of these analyses, the article entitled "Breaking the Mold: A reciprocal autosomal translocation drives the evolution of the neo-W chromosome of the pale-breasted thrush Turdus leucomelas (Passeriformes; Turdidae)" was generated, which is currently under 2n round of review in the journal "Scientific Reports" (IF 4.6), where the student is the first author. Now, same set of analysis is being conducted in the red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata) a species with 2n=108 chromosomes, thus presenting a highly rearranged karyotype in comparison to avian ancestral karyotype. Due to the excellent progress of the project, we aim to now expand the analysis to in deep explore the large chromosomal reshuffling occurred during the karyotype evolution of this species. Considering that chicken lineage most closely resembles the avian ancestor karyotype, we intend to apply a set of flow-sorted chromosome-specific probes (corresponding to macrochromosomes 1 to 10 of Gallus gallus (GGA) in the red-legged seriema. The proposed activities include: i) the DOP-PCR amplification of flow-sorted GGA chromosome-specific probes; ii) the DOP-PCR labelling with distinct fluorochromes and iii) the multicolor-FISH experiments. Besides, we will also microdissect the large Z chromosome of this species and construct a WCP for comparative mapping in closely related species. The activities will be performed in the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Thomas Liehr and besides the expected scientific advances, this proposal will provide a unique opportunity for the scientific training of the student, by interacting with a renowned group of researchers and learning new study methodologies currently employed in Dr. Liehr´s laboratory.