Person:
Méndez Cea, Belén

First Name

Belén

Last Name

Méndez Cea

Affiliation

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Faculty / Institute

Ciencias Biológicas

Department

Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología

Identifiers

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Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

Understanding the morphological and genetic distinctiveness of the Spanish pouter pigeons: the Marchenero Pouter as a case study
(Wiley, 2019-11-05) Cobo-Simón, Irene; Márquez-Rodríguez, Joaquín; Méndez Cea, Belén; Gallego Rodríguez, Francisco Javier; Pérez-Fernández, María
Domestic species are excellent examples of the great adaptive potential of animal species under strong selective pressure. Among them, domestic pigeons (Columba livia var domestica) represent one of the first domesticated bird species. Artificial selection through centuries, together with the multipurpose use of this species, has led to an extraordinary phenotypic diversity among breeds. Here, the morphometric and genetic diversity of Marchenero Pouter, one of the oldest and most representative pouter breeds in Spain, was analysed and compared with other Spanish pouter breeds. Nine morphometric variables were measured in four breeds, for which we detected significant differences in the weight, wing length and tail length in the Marchenero Pouter. Genetic analyses were conducted using 10 microsatellite loci. The statistically significant genetic differences found in Marchenero Pouter in comparison with other Spanish pouter breeds in this study provide sufficient evidence to recognize it as an independent pouter breed. In addition, Marchenero Pouter showed low genetic diversity compared with other pigeon breeds from this and previous studies. Our results provide valuable information about the current status of Marchenero Pouter, which could be used to preserve this unique breed.
Laboratorio en abierto: aprendendiendo a copiar ADN.2
(2022-09-30) Linacero de la Fuente, Rosario; Espino Nuño, Francisco Javier; Gallego Rodríguez, Francisco Javier; Pradillo Orellana, Mónica; Callejas Hervás, Carmen; González Sánchez, Mónica; Arana Montes, María del Pilar De; Ballesteros, Isabel; Cuñado Rodríguez, Nieves; González Jaén, María Teresa; Figueiras Merino, Ana Margarita; Gil Dones, Félix; Peña Gómez, Alicia de la; Hórreo Escandón, José Luis; Gorfinkiel, Nicole; Vega Melero, Juan Manuel; Barrios Diaz, Jose; Llanos Saavedra, Carolina; Moreno Ortiz, María del Carmen; Fernández Jiménez, Nadia; Méndez Cea, Belén; García García, Isabel; Muñoz Muñoz, María
El objetivo principal del proyecto es la puesta a punto de recursos educativos en abierto (REA) dirigidos a los alumnos de secundaria. La propuesta pretende desarrollar habilidades, para la resolución de problemas científicos, a través de retos que despierten el interés y la imaginación de los alumnos de secundaria. En esta propuesta la resolución de los problemas planteados estaría basada en la aplicación de una herramienta que ha revolucionado la genética y biología, la reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa, conocida como PCR.
Challenges and Perspectives in the Epigenetics of Climate Change-Induced Forests Decline
(Frontiers Media, 2022-01-04) García García, Isabel; Méndez Cea, Belén; Martín Gálvez, David; Seco, José Ignacio; Gallego Rodríguez, Francisco Javier; Linares, Juan Carlos
Forest tree species are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. As sessile organisms with long generation times, their adaptation to a local changing environment may rely on epigenetic modifications when allele frequencies are not able to shift fast enough. However, the current lack of knowledge on this field is remarkable, due to many challenges that researchers face when studying this issue. Huge genome sizes, absence of reference genomes and annotation, and having to analyze huge amounts of data are among these difficulties, which limit the current ability to understand how climate change drives tree species epigenetic modifications. In spite of this challenging framework, some insights on the relationships among climate change-induced stress and epigenomics are coming. Advances in DNA sequencing technologies and an increasing number of studies dealing with this topic must boost our knowledge on tree adaptive capacity to changing environmental conditions. Here, we discuss challenges and perspectives in the epigenetics of climate change-induced forests decline, aiming to provide a general overview of the state of the art.
Laboratorio en abierto: aPrendiendo a CopiaR el ADN
(2021-09-30) Linacero de la Fuente, Rosario; Espino Nuño, Francisco Javier; Pradillo Orellana, Mónica; Gallego Rodríguez, Francisco Javier; González Sánchez, Mónica; Arana Montes, María del Pilar; Beroiz Remirez, Beatriz; Cuñado Rodríguez, Nieves; Figueiras Merino, Ana Margarita; Gil Dones, Félix; de la Peña Gómez, Alicia; Vega Melero, Juan Manuel; Barrios Díaz, José; Llanos Saavedra, Carolina; Moreno Ortiz, María del Carmen; Blasio, Francesco; Fernández Jiménez, Nadia; García García, Isabel; Lantero Bringas, Esther; Lira Garrido, Jaime; Martínez García, Marina; Méndez Cea, Belén; Matallanas Peñas, Beatriz
El objetivo principal del proyecto es la puesta a punto de recursos educativos en abierto (REA) dirigidos a los alumnos de secundaria. El punto de partida será plantear diferentes retos y situaciones que se pueden resolver utilizando distintos recursos científicos, para decidir qué recurso es el más adecuado y cómo se aplica. En esta propuesta la resolución de los problemas planteados estaría basada en la aplicación de una herramienta que ha revolucionado la genética y biología, la reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa, conocida como PCR.
Weak genetic differentiation but strong climate-induced selective pressure toward the rear edge of mountain pine in north-eastern Spain
(Elsevier, 2022-10-26) Méndez Cea, Belén; García García, Isabel; Gazol, Antonio; Camarero, J. Julio; Gónzález de Andrés, Ester; Colangelo, Michele; Valeriano, Cristina; Gallego Rodrigo, Francisco Javier; Linares, Juan Carlos
Local differentiation at distribution limits may influence species' adaptive capacity to environmental changes. However, drivers, such gene flow and local selection, are still poorly understood. We focus on the role played by range limits in mountain forests to test the hypothesis that relict tree populations are subjected to genetic differentiation and local adaptation. Two alpine treelines of mountain pine (Pinus uncinata Ram. ex DC) were investigated in the Spanish Pyrenees. Further, an isolated relict population forming the species' southernmost distribution limit in north-eastern Spain was also investigated. Using genotyping by sequencing, a genetic matrix conformed by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was obtained. This matrix was used to perform genotype-environment and genotype-phenotype associations, as well as to model risk of non-adaptedness. Increasing climate seasonality appears as an essential element in the interpretation of SNPs subjected to selective pressures. Genetic differentiations were overall weak. The differences in leaf mass area and radial growth rate, as well as the identification of several SNPs subjected to selective pressures, exceeded neutral predictions of differentiation among populations. Despite genetic drift might prevail in the isolated population, the Fst values (0.060 and 0.066) showed a moderate genetic drift and Nm values (3.939 and 3.555) indicate the presence of gene flow between the relict population and both treelines. Nonetheless, the SNPs subjected to selection pressures provide evidences of possible selection in treeline ecotones. Persistence in range boundaries seems to involve several selective pressures in species' traits, which were significantly related to enhanced drought seasonality at the limit of P. uncinata distribution range. We conclude that gene flow is unlikely to constrain adaptation in the P. uncinata rear edge, although this species shows vulnerability to future climate change scenarios involving warmer and drier conditions.
Gene Frequency Shift in Relict Abies pinsapo Forests Associated with Drought-Induced Mortality: Preliminary Evidence of Local-Scale Divergent Selection
(MDPI, 2021-09-08) Cobo Simón, Irene; Méndez Cea, Belén; Seco, José Ignacio; Wegrzyn, Jill; Linares, Juan Carlos; Gallego Rodríguez, Francisco Javier
Current climate change constitutes a challenge for the survival of several drought-sensitive forests. The study of the genetic basis of adaptation offers a suitable way to understand how tree species may respond to future climatic conditions, as well as to design suitable conservation and management strategies. Here, we focus on selected genetic signatures of the drought-sensitive relict fir, Abies pinsapo Boiss. Field sampling of 156 individuals was performed in two elevation ecotones, characterized by widespread A. pinsapo decline and mortality. The DNA from dead trees was investigated and compared to living individuals, accounting for different ages and elevations. We studied the genes gated outwardly-rectifying K+ (GORK) channel and Plasma membrane Intrinsic Protein (PIP1) aquaporin, previously related to drought response in plant model species, to test whether drought was the main abiotic factor driving the decline of A. pinsapo forests. A combination of linear regression and factor models were used to test these selection signatures, as well as a fixation index (Fst), used here to analyze the genetic structure. The results were consistent among these approaches, supporting a statistically significant association of the GORK gene with survival in one of the A. pinsapo populations. These results provide preliminary evidence for the potential role of the GORK gene in the resilience to drought of A. pinsapo.
Herramientas de aprendizaje para estudiantes de secundaria: Aplicación de la Genética y la Genómica
(2020-10-05) Linacero de la Fuente, María Rosario; Espino Nuño, Francisco Javier; Beroiz Remírez, Beatriz; Callejas Hervás, Carmen; Gallego Rodríguez, Francisco; González Sánchez, Mónica; Vega Melero, Juan Manuel; Arana Montes, María del Pilar de; Figueiras Merino, Ana Margarita; Cuñado Rodríguez, Nieves; Peña Gómez, Alicia de la; Méndez Cea, Belén; Lantero Bringas, Esther; Blasio, Francesco; Matallanas, Beatriz; Barrios Díaz, José; Llanos Saavedra, Carolina; Moreno Ortiz, María del Carmen; Benito Jiménez, César; Gómez-Aldecoa Cuadrado, Fernando; Buendia Ávila, Daniel
Tree-level growth patterns and genetic associations depict drought legacies in the relict forests of Abies Marocana
(MDPI, 2023-02-15) Méndez Cea, Belén; García García, Isabel; Sánchez Salguero, Raúl; Lechuga, Víctor; Gallego Rodríguez, Francisco Javier; Linares, Juan C.
The frequency and intensity of drought events are increasing worldwide, challenging the adaptive capacity of several tree species. Here, we evaluate tree growth patterns and climate sensitivity to precipitation, temperature, and drought in the relict Moroccan fir Abies marocana. We selected two study sites, formerly stated as harboring contrasting A. marocana taxa (A. marocana and A. tazaotana, respectively). For each tree, dendrochronological methods were applied to quantify growth patterns and climate–growth sensitivity. Further, ddRAD-seq was performed on the same trees and close saplings to obtain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and related genotype–phenotype associations. Genetic differentiation between the two studied remnant populations of A. marocana was weak. Growth patterns and climate–growth relationships were almost similar at the two sites studied, supporting a negative effect of warming. Growth trends and tree size showed associations with SNPs, although there were no relationships with phenotypes related to climatic sensitivity. We found significant differences in the SNPs subjected to selection in the saplings compared to the old trees, suggesting that relict tree populations might be subjected to genetic differentiation and local adaptation to climate dryness. Our results illustrate the potential of tree rings and genome-wide analysis to improve our understanding of the adaptive capacity of drought-sensitive forests to cope with ongoing climate change.