Molecular phylogeny of the family Gecarcinidae MacLeay, 1838 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Grapsoidea)

• Grant number: 08/05969-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2009
• End date: February 28, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Domingos Siqueira Tavares
• Grantee: Marcos Domingos Siqueira Tavares
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The family Gecarcinidae is currently divided into six genera: Cardisoma, Gecarcinus, Epigrapsus, Gecarcoidea, Discoplax and Johngarthia. Considering its poor taxonomy explored and lack of systematic studies based on the cladistic methodology, the aims of the project is to address the monophyletic status of the family Gecarcinidae and its inter relationships through the analysis of molecular data (12S and 16S mtDNA),using parsimony, under direct optimization context and simultaneous analysis of molecular data. The molecular data will be obtained by extraction of DNA from muscle tissues. Genes 12S and 16S mtDNA will be amplified through the PCR technique, purified and then sequenced. The phylogenetic analyses will be conducted in the POY 4.0 Beta. (AU)