Biodiversity of decapod crustaceans present in Brazilian biomes serving the training of human resources in the area of ¿¿integrative taxonomy

• Grant number: 25/07224-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Luis Medina Mantelatto
• Grantee: Fernando Luis Medina Mantelatto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project was motivated by different reasons. Among them, previous experiences from other projects and which are combined with the situation reported below regarding the extreme lack of updated information and Brazilian experts dedicated to the use of molecular tools in the area of ¿¿taxonomy and systematics of decapod crustaceans (shrimp, crabs, hermit crabs and similar) inhabiting the marine and freshwater biomes. The approach using decapods as a model is a promising strategy that contemplates filling at least four gaps foreseen in the PROTAX Call (i.e. neglected biological groups; megadiverse and highly complex; with low installed capacity of specialist researchers in Brazil; and lacking recent taxonomic revisions or deficient information in the main database platforms in the country), and which perfectly aligns with the demand for training students of different levels who are being incorporated into the Laboratory of Bioecology and Systematics of Crustaceans (LBSC). This line of action expands and reinforces the taxonomic and systematic approach of representatives of the Brazilian fauna. The development of this line has promoted excellent growth of the working group, as well as fostered international insertion through travel, exchanges and the performance of cooperative work. Thus, academic and scientific growth is expected on the part of all those involved, as well as considerable progress in the taxonomic understanding of the group and in the training of new taxonomists. (AU)