Phylogenetic relation of Stevardiinae with emphasis in Diapomini tribe (Characiformes: Characidae) utilizing the ultra-conserved elements of the genome

• Grant number: 23/01497-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2023
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Claudio de Oliveira
• Grantee: Claudio de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/13433-6 - Phylogeny and molecular identification of fishes of the superorder Ostariophysi (Chordata: Actinopterygii) using genomic approaches, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/09902-9 - Phylogenetic relation of Stevardiinae with emphasis in Diapomini tribe (Characiformes: Characidae) utilizing the ultra-conserved elements of the genome, BP.JD

Abstract

Stevardiinae is the second highest diverse characids subfamily, including 45 genera and 362 species valid. The subfamily is composed by small size with very striking sexual characteristics. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed the monophyly of the family, which is currently, recognized in eight tribes. However, the phylogenetic relationship of many taxa, mainly those found in deep nodes, remains uncertain, in addition to many important groups, such as Bryconamericus and Knodus, being poorly sampled in the available phylogenetic hypotheses. In this sense, here we are proposing the use of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) to construct a phylogeny in Stevardiinae. Currently is possible to capture approximately 2.708 UCE loci in ostariophysians fishes, generating a huge number of molecular characters, which has allowed the resolution of traditionally problematic phylogenetic relationships. Therefore, the present study has aim to perform a phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae with emphasis on the tribe Diapomini using a phylogenomic approach and a dense sampling of species. Thus, this study will certainly provide new insights into the evolution and classification of Stevardiinae. (AU)