López Márquez, Violeta

Position / Title

SISSTEM Postdoctoral Researcher

Department

SISSTEM (Faculty of Arts and Science)

Email Address

violeta.lopez@ua.aw

Fields of Specialization

Microsatellites
Population Genetics
Genetic Diversity
Conservation Genetics
Microsatellite Genotyping
Biodiversity
DNA Barcoding
Development Of Molecular Markers
Genetic Analysis
Seascape Genetics

Last updated September 29, 2025

Biography

Violeta López Márquez is a postdoctoral researcher affiliated with the University of Aruba and KU Leuven (Belgium) working in the SISSTEM program. She works on the project Population Structure and Genetic Connectivity of Scleractinian Corals in the Southern Caribbean Sea. Violeta is a marine biologist and a researcher. Her background studies started with the analyses of morphological characters of different sea stars of the genus Asterina. Her current research studies, in population genetics, include developing microsatellites and gene fragments of several marine species as mollusks and corals. Studying gene flow, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic structure to know connectivity among populations. She has a longstanding interest in population genomics of marine invertebrates and her PhD project entitled Genetic structure and connectivity in coastal marine invertebrates was focused on the study of Seascape genetics with different marine species.

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 10

Open Access
Currents of Connection: Investigating the Influence of Reproductive Modes and Ocean Currents on Coral Genetic Connectivity in the Dutch Caribbean
(2024-12-11) Scherpereel, Colin; Hellemans, Bart; Hanert, Emmanuel; Volckaert, Filip; López Márquez, Violeta; Mijts, Eric
The dispersal patterns of marine organisms are essential in shaping population dynamics. This study investigates, the interaction between ocean currents and two reproductive strategies of scleractinian corals, and their combined influence on genetic connectivity among the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Coral reproductive modes, specifically brooding versus broadcast spawning, play a critical role in the genetic structuring of populations. We propose that locally brooding corals exhibit stronger genetic structuring than species with broadcast spawning, where larvae experience extended periods in the water column. Using 3D hydrodynamic simulations of Caribbean Current circulation coupled with an individual-based model of biological traits for brooding corals and broadcast spawners, we assess abiotic connectivity patterns. Results indicate that dispersal potential is notably higher for broadcast spawners. Genotyping across two species using microsatellite markers reveals high genetic differentiation in brooding corals and comparatively lower levels among broadcast spawners. Additionally, sporadic dispersal events in brooding corals add to genetic diversity and suggest source-sink dynamics. This analysis of population connectivity and genetic structure in reef-building corals provides critical insights into reef ecosystem resilience, establishing a foundation for informed conservation strategies. Our research supports the long-term sustainability of these essential coral species in a changing marine landscape.
Open Access
How island researchers navigate the wicked nature of small island research. A conversation continued
(2025-06) Mertens, Anouk; Acevedo, Diego; Arens, Patrick; Becker, Tatiana; Brinklow, Laurie; de Scisciolo, Tobia; Drew, Ryan; Facun, Kryss; Hall, Iain; Halliday, Andrew Mark; John, Nigel; López Márquez, Violeta; McDonald, Anne; Mitchell, Jean; Moncada, Stefano; Noll, Dominik; Richardson, Yolanda; Sultan, Salys; van Veghel, Amber; Werleman, Stephanie; Mijts, Eric
Small islands across the globe face the direct consequences of climate change and alarming biodiversity loss. In this context, islands and islanders are sometimes framed as a “litmus test” or “the ideal laboratory” for experiments to advise larger continental areas on how to address the effects of climate change and the biodiversity crisis. Due to the specific island context, islanders are the primary problem solvers in addressing and mitigating these challenges, and finding ways to adapt to them; however, in the first place, to protect their territories, populations, ecosystems, and cultures. It is therefore crucial and urgent to adopt and integrate inter- and transdisciplinary scientific knowledge embedded within the local contexts. Given their leadership role, island-centred research by the local island-based knowledge institutes and researchers is key. Island-centred research should play a pivotal role in generating contextualized knowledge and solutions, whether or not embedded in reciprocal international partnerships with other knowledge institutes. In this presentation, we will dive deeper into the island researchers’ operating space for such island-centred research, based on insights from semi-structured interviews and interactive sessions with island researchers from a wide range of contexts and disciplines. Our data reveal that despite the many challenges of conducting research from within the islands (incl. availability and accessibility of data, or technical and logistic challenges, funding, etc.), island researchers have found an array of ways to overcome these challenges and to produce valuable and impactful results for their societies and the rest of the world. This contribution aims to be a conversation starter amongst island researchers from insular and continental (institutional) contexts to further strengthen productive and equal collaborations in island-centred research.
Metadata only
Connecting Corals: Understanding Coral Genetics for Climate Resilience in Tropical Insular Territories
(2025-06-17) López Márquez, Violeta; Scherpereel, Colin; Hellemans, Bart; Mijts, Eric; Harnet, Emmanuel; Volckaert, Filip
Climate change is affecting coral reefs dramatically. The reef-building corals in the Caribbean are decimated by the impact of changing water temperatures and extreme weather events. To understand in which way the negative consequences of global change on insular coral resilience, we need to understand the genetic connectivity of these ecosystems. The dispersal patterns of marine organisms are essential in shaping population dynamics. This study investigates the interaction between ocean currents and two reproductive strategies of scleractinian corals, and their combined influence on genetic connectivity among the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Coral reproductive modes, specifically brooding versus broadcast spawning, play a critical role in the genetic structuring of populations. We propose that locally brooding corals exhibit stronger genetic structuring than species with broadcast spawning, where larvae experience extended periods in the water column. Using 3D hydrodynamic simulations of Caribbean Current circulation coupled with an individual-based model of biological traits for brooding corals and broadcast spawners, we assess abiotic connectivity patterns. Results indicate that dispersal potential is notably higher for broadcast spawners. Genotyping across two species using microsatellite markers reveals high genetic differentiation in brooding corals and comparatively lower levels among broadcast spawners. Additionally, sporadic dispersal events in brooding corals add to genetic diversity and suggest source-sink dynamics. This analysis of population connectivity and genetic structure in reef-building corals provides critical insights into reef ecosystem resilience, establishing a foundation for informed conservation strategies. Our research supports the long-term sustainability of these essential coral species in a changing marine landscape.
Metadata only
Sustainable Island Solutions through STEM (SISSTEM) Lessons learnt, and the pathway forward
(11/27/2024) López Márquez, Violeta; Acevedo, Diego; Mijts, Eric; Mertens, Anouk; Sultan, Salys; John, Nigel
In 2019 the EDF-11 funded SISSTEM project started at the University of Aruba, an ambitious project in collaboration with the KU Leuven and with the support of UNDP to develop the facilities and programs for STEM education and research. In July 2024 the project implementation phase of the European funded part of SISSTEM was completed. In this contribution we will share the original intentions and the outcomes of the project, as well as an analysis of the critical success factors that contributed to the implementation of the project. The outcomes include two academic programs (BSc and MSc), a series of ongoing research projects, and a series of conferences and publications that contribute to the development of a critical mass of island researchers that support both local and global sustainability efforts and agendas. Throughout the implementation of the project a series of obstacles were identified, such as the complexities of international project management for small island development (including logistic and technical challenges), intercultural awareness management, expectation management, marketing/image management and the complexities of recruitment of students and academic staff to participate in pioneering programs.
Open Access
UARC Dialogue Session: Proposal Panic!
(University of Aruba, Research Center, 2025-09-16) Arias, Nurianne; Deogratias, Benedicta; López Márquez, Violeta; Mijts, Eric; Esther Plomp; Liesje Proveyer
On the 16th of September the University of Aruba Research Center organized a session on sharing experiences around working on and submitting research proposals, initiated by Benedicta Deogratias. The slides summarize the challenges and tips shared by the five presenters. Based on the discussions and questions during the session. The UARC will follow up with the following - For the NWO PhD call: suggest to NWO to provide options to share the information from the statements of intent from the PhD candidates more widely so that supervisors with the relevant expertise can reach out to these candidates. A lot of PhD candidates struggled with setting up their supervisory team for this call. - Based on the questions and interest around this session, we expect to organize a more practical/how to workshop on research proposals in early 2026, aligned with the NWO PhD Caribbean call. - Look into the possibilities of working with a team on shared documents (in collaboration with IT) - The Research Center can help with suggestions for supervisors and help with reaching out to them, but we may not have the expertise or connections for your research field. The Research Center can set up a database with potential supervisors who have already reached out to see if there are collaboration opportunities. - The Research Center can help with setting up budgets for research proposal. We will also set up information for research calls in Stone in a more transparent manner. - The Research Center will set up a database of potential supervisors that have already been in contact with the UA about being open to collaborate.
Open Access
Dutch Caribbean Research Week 2024 - Aruba, 27 November
(2024-11-27) Abarkan, Abida; Acevedo, Diego; Bonnevalle-Kok, Ruth; de Droog, Mieke; Grêaux, Kimberly; John, Nigel; López Márquez, Violeta; Meijer, Hannah; Mertens, Anouk; Mijts, Eric; Sultan, Salys
Contributions by University of Aruba researchers to the Dutch Caribbean Research week 2024 (20-27 November). Individual contributions can also be found via: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14473/1213 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14473/1423 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14473/1390 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14473/1425 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14473/1426 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14473/1427 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14473/1323 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14473/1422
Metadata only
The Endangered Limpet Patella ferruginea Integrates a Metapopulation across the Species’ Range.
(2024) López Márquez, Violeta; Martinez-Ruiz, Olivia; Guallart, Javier; Acevedo, Ivan; Calvo, Marta; Kallouche, Mohammed; Luque, Angel; Templado, José; Machordom, Annie; Luque, Angel
The population genetics of Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791, an endangered limpet endemic to the western Mediterranean, has been analysed using 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers on 533 individuals from 18 localities throughout its distribution area. The results showed a deficit of heterozygotes, denoting a certain degree of inbreeding, and, with an overall FST of 0.004, a low level of genetic variability among localities. These data indicate that the species is distributed as a metapopulation (an assemblage of discrete local populations with migration among them) along most of the species’ range. Moreover, 99% of the variability observed was within populations, with only 0.41% accounting for between-population variability. No pattern of isolation-by-distance was found, and 35.5% of the individuals were recognised as migrants. Altogether, the findings indicate that most of the populations studied are connected to each other to some extent and that larvae of the species show a higher dispersal capacity than previously assumed. The exchange network does not follow a clear direction but rather shows a chaotic pattern attributed to stochastic factors resulting from the complex interaction of biotic and abiotic factors. This pattern indicates the lack of strong barriers to dispersal in the study area and permeable barriers that do not limit population connectivity. A relatively high level of self-recruitment and occasional stochastic dispersal events at variable distances are also evidenced by the analyses. Currently, marine protected areas (MPAs) safeguard the benthic adults but not the larval phase of the species. Considering our results, the conservation of P. ferruginea should be based on a holistic approach in which the protection of its habitats extends from the benthic to the pelagic zones, which will help maintain the larval pool and promote larval dispersal and settlement and, ultimately, gene flow. Lastly, conservation efforts must prioritise the survival of the extant populations of P. ferruginea, both within and outside MPAs, over measures that require the manipulation or translocation of specimens. Keywords: genetic structure; microsatellites; conservation; Mediterranean; endemism
Open Access
Population Structure and Genetic Connectivity of Scleractinian Corals in the Sourthern Caribbean Sea
(2023-02-08) López Márquez, Violeta; Mijts, Eric; Volckaert, Filip
Metadata only
Currents of Connectivity: Genetic Exchange and Ocean Circulation in Dutch Caribbean Scleractinian Corals
(2025-05-26) López Márquez, Violeta; Scherpereel, Colin; Hellemans, Bart; Mijts, Eric; Hanert, Emmanuel; Volckaert, Filip A.M.
Marine dispersal dynamics are key to shaping the genetic connectivity and resilience of reef ecosystems. This study investigates the impact of ocean circulation and coral reproductive strategies on the genetic connectivity of Diploria labyrinthiformis (broadcast spawner) and Favia fragum (brooder) across Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The reproductive mode plays a critical role in population genetic structuring: brooders exhibit higher genetic differentiation due to limited larval dispersal, while broadcast spawners disperse more extensively, aided by longer pelagic larval durations. Using 3D hydrodynamic simulations of the Caribbean Current coupled with an individual-based model, we explored abiotic connectivity patterns for these two species. Microsatellite genotyping reveals pronounced genetic structuring in F. fragum, occasional long-distance dispersal events, and evidence of source-sink dynamics. In contrast, D. labyrinthiformis exhibits lower genetic differentiation, consistent with its broader dispersal potential. These findings underscore the complex interplay between ocean currents and reproductive strategies in driving genetic connectivity. By advancing our understanding of population dynamics in reef-building corals, this research provides valuable insights for conservation planning and the long-term sustainability of coral reef ecosystems in the Dutch Caribbean.
Metadata only
Tides of genetic exchange: Exploring the impact of reproductive strategies and ocean currents on scleractinian coral connectivity in the Dutch Caribbean.
(2024-05-28) López Márquez, Violeta; Scherpereel, Colin; Hellemans, Bart; Mijts, Eric; Hanert, Emmanuel; Volckaert, Filip
Tides of genetic exchange: Exploring the impact of reproductive strategies and ocean currents on scleractinian coral connectivity in the Dutch Caribbean Violeta López-Márquez1,2, Colin Scherpereel3, Bart Hellemans2, Eric N. Mijts1, Emmanuel Hanert3, Filip A.M. Volckaert2 1 SISSTEM programme, University of Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba 2 Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium 3 Earth and Life Institute & Institute of Mechanics, UC Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium Dispersal dynamics shape the (meta)population dynamics of marine organisms. This study explores (i) the interplay between ocean circulation and two reproductive strategies of scleractinian corals, and (ii) their collective impact on genetic connectivity off the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. The reproductive mode of corals, specifically in the case of brooders and broadcast spawners, significantly influences the genetic structuring of their populations. We hypothesize that local brooding corals are more genetically structured compared to species with external gamete broadcasting, where the planula larvae reside longer in the water column. 3D hydrodynamic simulations replicating ocean circulation of the Caribbean Current off the islands coupled to an individual based model simulating the biological traits of the brooding corals Favia fragum and Porites astreoides, and the broadcast corals Diploria labyrinthiformis and D. strigosa, provide a first assessment of the complex abiotic connectivity. As expected, the potential of broadcast spawners to disperse proves much higher. Genotyping of all four species with about 15 microsatellite markers each reveals high genetic differentiation of brooding corals, and comparatively lower levels of broadcast spawners. We also observe occasional dispersive events of brooding corals that contribute to the considerable genetic diversity, and evidence of source-sink dynamics. Our thorough analysis of population connectivity and genetic structure in scleractinian corals enhances our understanding of reef ecosystems and establishes a basis for well-informed conservation decision-making. This research plays an important role in advancing the long-term sustainability efforts of these crucial reef-building species.