Simo Maduna
Research Scientist
Biography
Research Statement
Dr. Simo Njabulo Maduna is a molecular ecologist with expertise in multi- and interdisciplinary research that integrates ecology, genetics, conservation, and reproductive biology toward biodiversity conservation, genetic/genomic monitoring, and adaptive management of sustainable natural resources. His research covers a wide variety of topics (aquaculture genomics, genome assembly, landscape/seascape genomics, invasion ecology and genomics, molecular phylogenetics, phylogenomics, wildlife forensics, and eDNA-based biodiversity monitoring) and taxa (chondrichthyans, teleosts, pinnipeds, molluscs, avians, bears, and insects). The latest addition to his research themes and study systems is the domestication of animals and plants, with foci on epigenomics of equines and medicinal plants. His work not only aims to enhance our understanding of these diverse biological systems but also seeks to apply this knowledge to real-world challenges in conservation and resource management. By integrating genomic tools with traditional ecological approaches, he aspires to develop innovative strategies that promote resilience and sustainability in both natural and domesticated populations. Dr. Maduna is always keen on collaborating and perusing uncharted research ventures. His passion for discovery often leads him to partner with experts from diverse fields, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas that can spark groundbreaking innovations.
Skills and Expertise
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Research project management (conceptualizing projects and developed funding proposals, coordinating multi-collaborator and -funding agency projects, conducting wet laboratory work, curating and analyzing data, writing scientific publications, conducting outreach, and managing funding proposals for future research).
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Establishing research collaborations and strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders in terms of service delivery for natural resource management and essential biodiversity research priorities within the contexts of climate change, sustainable development, EcoHealth/OneHealth, and food security.
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Supervising and mentoring postgraduate students while providing customized seminars for the development of laboratory and bioinformatics skills to a wider audience in academia and industry.
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Designing, implementing and managing genetic and genomic experimental work, genotypic datasets and associated metadata for population genetics and genomics, seascape/landscape genetics and genomics, phylogeography, molecular phylogenetics and phylogenomics, DNA barcoding and metabarcoding projects.
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Developing and employing several molecular markers (e.g., microsatellites, SNPs and species-specific assays) for genotyping platforms ranging from low to medium throughput (ABI 3730xl DNA Analyzer, Real-Time PCR System, and Biomark HD).
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Seting up of advance molecular techniques (3RAD, GTseq, Megabarcoding, Metabarcoding, Mitogenomics, Epitranscriptomics and DNA methylomics) in the laboratory for DNA library preparation, size selection and high-throughput sequencing with Illumina, Ion Torrent, PacBio and Nanopore sequencing platforms.
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Developing field and laboratory protocols for eDNA-based monitoring of within-species genetic diversity, community structures, invasive species, pathogen surveillance and diet analysis.
Authors
Paul Eric Aspholm David Kniha Hans Geir Eiken Snorre Hagen Ida Marie Bardalen Fløistad Ingrid Helle Søvik Ane-Sofie Bednarczyk Hansen Simo Maduna Cornelya Klutsch Finn-Arne HaugenAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Aim Effective management of non-indigenous species requires knowledge of their dispersal factors and founder events. We aim to identify the main environmental drivers favouring dispersal events along the invasion gradient and to characterize the spatial patterns of genetic diversity in feral populations of the non-native pink salmon within its epicentre of invasion in Norway. Location Mainland Norway and North Atlantic Basin. Methods We first conducted SDM using four modelling techniques with varying levels of complexity, which encompassed both regression-based and tree-based machine-learning algorithms, using climatic data from the present to 2050. Then, we used the triple-enzyme restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (3RADseq) approach to genotype over 30,000 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms to elucidate the patterns of genetic diversity and gene flow within the pink salmon putative invasion hotspot. Results We discovered temperature- and precipitation-related variables drove pink salmon distributional shifts across its non-native ranges and that climate-induced favourable areas will remain stable for the next 30 years. In addition, all SDMs identified north-eastern Norway as the epicentre of the pink salmon invasion, and genomic data revealed that there was minimal variation in genetic diversity across the sampled populations at a genome-wide level in this region. While utilizing a specific group of ‘diagnostic’ SNPs, we observed a significant degree of genetic differentiation, ranging from moderate to substantial, and detected four hierarchical genetic clusters concordant with geography. Main Conclusions Our findings suggest that fluctuations in climate extreme events associated with ongoing climate change will likely maintain environmental favourability for the pink salmon outside its ‘native’/introduced ranges. Locally invaded rivers are themselves potential source populations of invaders in the ongoing secondary spread of pink salmon in Northern Norway. Our study shows that SDMs and genomic data can reveal species distribution determinants and provide indicators to aid in post-control measures and potentially inferences about their success.
Abstract
Here, we present, for the first time, the Ion TorrentⓇ next-generation sequencing (NGS) data for five houndsharks (Chondrichthyes: Triakidae), which include Galeorhinus galeus (number of bases pairs (bp) 17,487; GenBank accession number ON652874), Mustelus asterias (16,708; ON652873), Mustelus mosis (16,755; ON075077), Mustelus palumbes (16,708; ON075076), and Triakis megalopterus (16,746; ON075075). All assembled mitogenomes encode 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal (r)RNA genes, and 22 transfer (t)RNA genes (tRNALeu and tRNASer are duplicated), except for G. galeus which contains 23 tRNA genes where tRNAThr is duplicated. The data presented in this paper can assist other researchers in further elucidating the diversification of triakid species and the phylogenetic relationships within Carcharhiniformes (groundsharks) as mitogenomes accumulate in public repositories.
Division of Environment and Natural Resources
Interreg-Aurora project: Our Precious Transboundary Waters
The brown trout is a socioeconomically important freshwater fish in both Norway and Finland, where habitat fragmentation, overexploitation, translocations, and stocking have led to nationwide decline especially in populations of large growing, adfluvial brown trout and their genetic integrity. Careful conservation and coordinated, sustainable management of the remaining large growing brown trout populations is crucial. For this purpose, our project focuses on the transboundary Lake Inari-Pasvik River catchment as a bilateral model (reference) system, utilizing and requiring cross-border cooperation between Norway and Finland. We combine information on the genetic status of trout populations in the catchment, introduce new research methods and compare existing stocking programs for providing tools and guidelines to support the knowledge-based conservation and management of adfluvial brown trout populations in Norway and Finland.
