Marine macroalgae in Brazil: challenges for understanding the diversity of complex taxonomic groups

• Grant number: 25/07487-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Mutue Toyota Fujii
• Grantee: Mutue Toyota Fujii
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais (IPA). Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Abel Senties Granados ; Lísia Mônica de Souza Gestinari ; Luanda Pereira Soares ; Marília Cristina Duarte ; Nair Sumie Yokoya ; Valéria Cassano

Abstract

The Brazilian coast, with approximately 7,500 km, is one of the largest in the world, with over 900 marine algae taxa recorded. However, there are still little explored areas and taxonomic groups that require further studies before the still unknown biodiversity is lost due to climate change. In recent years, the efforts of this proposing team to understand the biodiversity of marine macroalgae in Brazil, integrating morphological and molecular data from type specimens, neglected groups and those of high morphological complexity, have resulted in numerous new occurrences, species and genera. This is due to the simple morphology of macroalgae, which makes correct identification based only on these characteristics difficult. To advance knowledge of the biodiversity of Brazilian phycoflora, in this project we propose to analyze: (1) Molecular reassessment and cataloging of the diversity of Rhodophyta of São Paulo, filling the gap in knowledge of the region that has been published in a series of books (DR); (2) Evolution of morphological characters and biogeographic history of the Laurencia complex (Rhodophyta), advancing in evolutionary aspects not fully covered in the recently defended doctorate (PDJ); and (3) Diversity of filamentous macroalgae, epiphytes and endophytes from environments influenced by upwelling in Cabo Frio, RJ, inducing growth under controlled culture conditions, a pioneering approach in Brazil that has already shown success in understanding the hidden biota (PDS). The studies will be based on morphological and molecular methods already routinely used at the executing institution and with national and international collaborations. At the end of the project, it is estimated that the number of species known for Brazil will increase and that the understanding of the evolutionary aspects and geographic distribution of the Laurencia complex will advance, with the country being a world leader in the study of the group. (AU)