Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 10HQPA0056) is a USGS-funded research project focused on a specific invasive freshwater diatom, Didymosphenia geminata, which is known for forming nuisance blooms in rivers. The core purpose of the award is to develop population-specific genetic markers that can distinguish among different D. geminata populations and then use those markers to figure out how the species is spreading, how quickly introductions are occurring, and what vectors (pathways of movement such as human transport, gear, water transfers, or other mechanisms) may be responsible. In practical terms, the project is trying to determine whether the large river blooms being observed are being driven by a single invasive strain that has become widespread across multiple regions, including the United States, Europe, and New Zealand, or whether blooms in different places reflect distinct regional populations.

Scientifically, the work centers on building and validating molecular tools that can reliably amplify and reveal variation among populations. The announcement highlights screening multiple classes of genetic markers, including nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial targets, with an emphasis on testing each marker for reliability, ease of amplification, and usefulness for differentiating populations. One named candidate is ITS rDNA (Internal Transcribed Spacer ribosomal DNA), described as variable and relatively easy to amplify, making it a common choice for population-level studies in freshwater organisms. The opportunity also points to microsatellite markers as a major avenue because microsatellites are widely used to detect genetic structure, infer relationships among populations, and potentially identify source populations and spread patterns. The notice situates this work in the broader context of marker development in diatoms by referencing existing microsatellite loci developed for marine diatoms (Pseudonitzschia species and Ditylum brightwelli) and more recent work in a freshwater diatom (Sellaphora capitata), suggesting that the project may adapt or extend approaches that have worked elsewhere.

A notable research uncertainty built into the project is whether mitochondrial and chloroplast markers will be informative for diatoms in the same way they often are in plants and animals. The announcement explains that inheritance patterns of mtDNA and cpDNA in diatoms are not well understood, and that uniparental inheritance is important if researchers want to trace lineages (for example, establishing matrilines) and reconstruct ancestral histories. Because of this, part of the expected value of the work is not just generating markers for D. geminata, but also producing evidence about whether organellar genomes can resolve evolutionary and population relationships in this group. Beyond the applied invasion questions, the project is framed as an opportunity to contribute to diatom systematics: the collaborator may help resolve phylogenetic relationships within the cymbelloid lineage and interpret findings in the context of the broader diatom lineage.

The project’s stated objectives break into two main research tasks. First, the award aims to determine whether genetic differences exist among bloom-forming populations across North America, Europe, and New Zealand by testing and comparing candidate markers across samples from those regions. Second, it aims to clarify the relationships among bloom-forming populations within the United States, which would support a clearer understanding of domestic spread patterns, potential sources, and whether multiple introductions or expansions from a common source are occurring. The opportunity also notes that the study will provide access to live algal material from within the U.S. and internationally for sequencing, which matters because high-quality, well-documented material can be a limiting factor in genetic marker development and validation.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary USGS funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning USGS expects to have substantial involvement during the project rather than operating strictly as a hands-off funder. It falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category and is associated with CFDA 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection). The expected number of awards is one, with an estimated total funding amount of $10,000, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement listed. Eligibility is limited to organizations that are participating partners in the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, reflecting the CESU model of partnership-based research, technical assistance, and education. The posting date was May 11, 2010, with an original and current closing date of May 20, 2010, and an archive date of June 19, 2010. The listed contact for access issues is Faith Graves, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.

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Previous opportunity: National Park Service Geomorphic Vegetation Mapping in the Escalante River Riparian Corridor Using Airborne High Resolution LiDAR and Multispectral Imagery

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