Investigations on population genetics and the influence of hydrothermal activity on bivalve growth at MAR hydrothermal vents

• Antragsteller: Dr. Christian Borowski
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Mikrobielle Ökologie und Angewandte Mikrobiologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2007 bis 2010
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 56870785

This proposal aims at studying within the SPP the influence of hydrothermal vent activity on growth patterns of Bathymodiolus and the influence of discontinuous ridge morphology on the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) on the biogeography of hydrothermal vent invertebrates. In close collaboration with geophysists and goechemists we will investigate how mussel shells preserve changes of water temperature as variations of growth increments and isotopic composition and thereby act as bioarchives which record data of environmental change that can be used for the dating of hydrothermal events. By comparing these processes at the technically inactive and stable hydrothermal vent system Logatchev and the volcanically affected southern MAR (SMAR) vents, this study contributes to the core question of the SPP: How do biological and hydrothermal processes interact? Another focus of this study is to elucidate the role of the large equatorial fracture zones as biogeographic conduits or barriers for gene flow across or along the MAR. This will be investigated by analysing phylogenetic marker genes of dominant macrofauna species. The proposed study will contribute to a better understanding of geo-bio-coupling processes at the MAR.

• DFG-Verfahren: Schwerpunktprogramme
• Teilprojekt zu: SPP 1144: Vom Mantel zum Ozean: Energie-, Stoff- und Lebenszyklen an Spreizungsachsen