centrebaleardebiodiversitat2024-2025
The goal of this project is to produce and publish a high-quality, chromosome-level reference genome for Naufraga balearica, a rare and endemic plant species native to Mallorca, first described by Constance and Cannon in 1967.
PI: Enrique Arboleda (UIB)
Source of funding: Institut d’Estudis Catalans, Catalan Biogenome Project.
2024-2025
The project focuses on producing high-quality reference genomes of four endemic species: Pimelia cribra (Mallorca and Menorca), P. elevata (Eivissa and Formentera), P. interjecta (Catalunya), and P. modesta (País Valencià). The study aims to explore the evolution of both coding and non-coding sequences, with a focus on satDNA and transposable elements, providing a unique model for studying genome organization in the absence of strong selective pressures.
IP: Joan Pons (IMEDEA-CSIC)
Source of funding: Institut d’Estudis Catalans, Catalan Biogenome Project.
2024-2025
The project aims to produce and publish high-quality, chromosome-level reference genomes for two important marine species: the gastropods Heliacus fallaciosus (Tiberi, 1872) and Pontohedyle milaschewitchii (Kowalevsky, 1901).
PI: Juan Moles Sánchez (UB) & Maria Capa (UIB)
Source of funding: Institut d’Estudis Catalans, Catalan Biogenome Project.
2024-2025
This project seeks to expand foundational knowledge by creating an updated catalogue of species documented in the Balearic Islands, alongside a comprehensive reference collection of identified specimens, complete with detailed characterizations and molecular markers. The research aims to address challenges such as cryptic species complexes, the discovery of non-native species, new regional records, and potentially species unknown to science. Additionally, analyzing the structure of annelid communities will provide valuable insights into the conservation status and environmental quality of the studied habitats. Ultimately, this work will help develop a monitoring framework to assess the ecological health of benthic ecosystems in the Balearic Islands.
PI: Enrique Arboleda (UIB)
Source of funding: Government of the Balearic Islands.
2024-2025
This project focuses on studying the genetic populations of three emblematic and protected marine invertebrate species in the western Mediterranean: the mollusk Dendropoma lebeche (a species with direct development, without a planktonic larval stage), the solitary infralittoral coral Balanophyllia europaea, and the anemone Calliactis parasitica (both of which have planktonic larvae, offering greater dispersal and connectivity potential between populations).
To achieve this, we will employ genotyping-by-sequencing techniques (ddRAD-seq) to analyze population structure and gene flow. The objectives of the project are threefold: (1) to assess the abundance and distribution of these species in the Balearic Sea; (2) to estimate population parameters such as effective size, genetic structure, connectivity, dispersal capacity, and demographic history for each species; and (3) to compare patterns of population distribution and structure between marine protected areas (MPAs) and unprotected locations.
By integrating genetic insights with ecological data, this study aims to deepen our understanding of these species’ population dynamics and inform conservation strategies in the Mediterranean.
IP: Marta Bassitta Sánchez (UIB)
Source of funding: Government of the Balearic Islands.
2024
This project, in collaboration with research groups specializing in ecology, hydrogeology, botany, and physics, aims to create high-resolution climate change maps for a wide range of multidisciplinary applications. The data produced will be publicly accessible and valuable for assessing impacts across key sectors such as renewable energy, urban climate, tourism, and agriculture—areas where the participating research teams bring significant expertise. In addition, the findings will play a critical role in shaping effective strategies to conserve biodiversity and safeguard vital ecosystem functions.
IP: Maria Capa (UIB)
Source of funding: Barcelona Supercomputing Service (Centro Nacional de Supercomputación / Red Española de Supercomutación)
Maria Capa and Claudio Padua participated in the VI Research Conference, hosted by the Cabrera National Maritime-Terrestrial Park, with their presentation titled “Analysis of the vulnerability of protected Marine Invertebrates in the Balearics using genetic analysis“
December 14, 2023
María Capa was invited to the first Open Science Conference at the UIB: Promoting responsible, transparent and collaborative research and delivered a presentation titled “Colleccions Biològiques @ UIB: Més enllà dels armaris.
November 27, 2023
Maria Capa was been invited to give a presentation at the first Open Science Conference at the UIB: Promoting responsible, transparent and collaborative research, her presentation was titled: Col·leccions Biològiques @ UIB: Més enllà dels armaris.
November 24, 2023
Maria Capa participated as a guest speaker in the Conference on the Promotion of Academic and Cultural Relations between the University of the Balearic Islands and Romanian Universities. The seminar was titled “From Racovitza to the new challenges in the study of cave fauna in the twenty-first century.”
November 15, 2023