The hyperdiverse amphibian fauna of Brazil as a model system for comparative ecophysiology and genomics of vision

• Grant number: 18/11502-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: October 10, 2018
• End date: October 09, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Taran Grant
• Grantee: Taran Grant
• Visiting researcher: Michele Pierotti
• Visiting researcher institution: Smithsonian Institution, Panamá, Panama
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/10000-5 - A multi-disciplinary approach to the study of amphibian diversification, AP.JP

Abstract

Comparative analyses of visual ecology and opsin complement are still lacking in amphibians. This is surprising given the success of the anuran radiation and the unique opportunities for vision research offered by the amphibian ontogenetic transition from aquatic to land life and the large variation in diel activity patterns across species. The purpose of this proposal is to bring Dr. Michele Pierotti and his micro-spectrophotometry (MSP) apparatus to my lab for an extended visit in order to train me and my students and postdocs in the use and interpretation of MSP and to address the following general research objectives: (1) To characterize amphibian visual systems of a phylogenetically and ecologically broad sample at an unprecedented fine level and by combining analyses of photoreceptor morphology, spectral sensitivity as measured with physiological assays (MSP) and its underlying genetic basis, with transcriptomics. (2) To address novel questions regarding the evolutionary trajectories of visual traits across the amphibian phylogeny and major transitions in life history. (3) To examine the roles of multiple rod and cone classes in mediating scotopic and photopic sensitivity and color vision. (4) To generate new lines of investigation within my research group. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

YOVANOVICH, CAROLA A. M.; PIEROTTI, MICHELE E. R.; KELBER, ALMUT; JORGEWICH-COHEN, GABRIEL; IBANEZ, ROBERTO; GRANT, TARAN. Lens transmittance shapes ultraviolet sensitivity in the eyes of frogs from diverse ecological and phylogenetic backgrounds. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, v. 287, n. 1918, JAN 15 2020. (15/14857-6, 18/11502-0, 11/50146-6, 18/15425-0, 12/10000-5)

HAUZMAN, EINAT; PIEROTTI, MICHELE E. R.; BHATTACHARYYA, NIHAR; TASHIRO, JULIANA H.; YOVANOVICH, CAROLA A. M.; CAMPOS, POLLYANNA F.; VENTURA, DORA F.; CHANG, BELINDA S. W.. imultaneous Expression of UV and Violet SWS1 Opsins Expands the Visual Palette in a Group of Freshwater Snake. Molecular Biology and Evolution, v. 38, n. 12, p. 5225-5240, DEC 2021. (18/11502-0, 14/26818-2, 18/13910-9, 14/25743-9, 18/09321-8, 13/07467-1, 15/14857-6)

YOVANOVICH, CAROLA A. M.; PIEROTTI, MICHELE E. R.; RODRIGUES, MIGUEL TREFAUT; GRANT, TARAN. A dune with a view: the eyes of a neotropical fossorial lizard. Frontiers in Zoology, v. 16, JUN 10 2019. (15/14857-6, 18/11502-0, 11/50146-6, 12/10000-5)