Phylogeographic delineation and adaptive genomics of Tamandua tetradactyla

 

This project aims to assess the genetic diversity and geographic structuring of Tamandua tetradactyla, a species with a broad range across South America. Using genome sequencing and SNP analysis, it seeks to clarify species delimitation, identify candidate genes linked to adaptation, and address conservation concerns.

 

The genus Tamandua contains two species, a trans-Andean species T. mexicana, and a cis-Andean species T. tetradactyla. Tamandua tetradactyla has a huge distribution, from northern South America to northern Argentina and Uruguay. Despite being an important species for the maintenance of forests and balance of ecosystems, little is known about the diversity of the species and part of the gap in knowledge is linked to the difficulty in obtaining samples. This gap impacts the comprehension of species delimitation and negatively influences species conservation since T. tetradactyla may represent a species complex. To access the genetic diversity and geographic structuring of individuals of T. tetradactyla collected in different localities, in this study, we propose to analyse the SNPs obtained from reduced representation genomic sequencing with the 3RAD method. In addition, to understand the mechanisms and genomic changes that favoured the adaptation of this species to the most diverse environments, we will search, from genome sequencing, for functional regions of the genome and candidate genes associated with the adaptive success of the species. In this way, we seek to evaluate the taxonomic status and understand the evolutionary mechanisms involved in the adaptation of the species.