Zoology

Members

Tomaso Patarnello, Enrico Negrisolo

Research topic

Environmental genomics and aquaculture

One of the most relevant lines of research is represented by the study of species of bony fishes, important in the field of the aquaculture like the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), the Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and the Common sole (Solea solea). For these species genomic platforms of micro-array were developed, which allow to study the transcriptomes of these fishes in response to various kinds of environmental stresses. Further studies currently developed deal with the bivalve mollusks both as indicators of environmental quality as well as for toxicogenomic analysis.

Mitochondrial genomics

The animal mitochondrial genomes, thanks to their compact structure (14-20 kbp) can be easily sequenced in a large number of species. The analysis of mitochondrial sequences allows studies ranging from phylogenomics to evolutionary genomics. Groups that represent our current major focus are the Arthropoda, especially Insecta and Crustacea, and the bony fishes.

Evolution and phylogeny of bony-fishes

The study of the evolution of bony fishes, is developed along several lines of researches ranging from population genetics and phylogeography of single species, particularly Antarctic taxa belonging to the group of Notothenioidei, to the phylogeny/phylogenomics of bony fishes at high taxonomic rank.

Molecular identification of animal species

The molecular identification of species is performed in the laboratory of zoology. The most studied groups are those linked to the fish marked (Crustacea, Mollusca, bony and cartilaginous fishes) as well as edible mammals and birds. Other taxa are analysed in studies dealing with environmental monitoring. The species identification is performed using the DNA BARCODE sequences as well as the SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and other genetic markers.