Evolution and biodiversity of sea pens (Octocorallia: Scleralcyonacea: Pennatuloidea)
My research aimed to elucidate the evolutionary history of sea pens by utilising molecular and morphological data. The primary objective was to gain valuable insights into their phylogeny through the analysis of extensive molecular datasets. To achieve this, multiple sea pen species were collected,...
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| Format: | Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Galway
2024
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10379/18180 https://doi.org/10.13025/14700 |
| Summary: | My research aimed to elucidate the evolutionary history of sea pens by utilising molecular and morphological data. The primary objective was to gain valuable insights into their phylogeny through the analysis of extensive molecular datasets. To achieve this, multiple sea pen species were collected, with a particular focus on those from the Ireland region (Northeast Atlantic). My research encompasses a sea pen collection of over 400 specimens, enabling me to explore various analyses related to morphology, phylogeny, and species boundaries. Through my PhD program, I received invaluable funding support for which I am deeply honoured and grateful. I would like to acknowledge the support of the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) Grant 248444/2013-1, which funded my PhD through a Government of Brazil Postgraduate Scholarship. Additional funding was received from various sources, including The Irish Centre for High-End Computing National Service Project; The University of Galway's Thomas Crawford Hayes Fund; The Marine Institute's Networking and Communications grant scheme; The University of Galway's Ryan Institute Travel Grant; The Irish Research Council – Ulysses Grant 2014; Strategic Marine Alliance for Research Training (SMART); Centre for Marine Evolutionary Biology (CeMEB) at the University of Gothenburg; The Deep Sea Biology Society; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources; and Transmitting Science. Most of the samples were collected aboard the RV Celtic Explorer (CE13008, CE14009, CE15009, CE15011, CE15012, CE17008, and CE18012), funded by the Marine Institute under the Irish National Ship Time Programme and Science Foundation Ireland. CE13008, CE16006, CE17008, and CE18012 were awarded to Prof A. L. Allcock, CE14009 was awarded to Dr M. White, CE15009 was awarded to Prof A. Wheeler, CE15012 to Dr J. Carlsson, and CE15011 was awarded to Dr Kerry Howell and Prof Anthony Grehan. The RRS James Cook (JC125) expedition was funded through the ERC Starting Grant project ... |
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