Cyanobacteria of biological soil crusts from Brazilian dry tropical forest (caatin...
| Grant number: | 12/19468-0 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | May 01, 2013 - April 30, 2016 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Botany |
| Principal Investigator: | Luis Henrique Zanini Branco |
| Grantee: | Luis Henrique Zanini Branco |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil |
| Assoc. researchers: | Célia Leite SantAnna ; Janaina Rigonato ; Mariéllen Dornelles Martins ; Watson Arantes Gama Júnior |
Abstract
Biological crusts (BCs) are complex communities that can be composed by cyanobacteria, green algae, fungi, bacteria, lichens and mosses and are usually found on soils from distinct habitats, mainly in more arid regions. The BC's roles are widely recognized and considered important in aspects as soil stabilization, water infiltration and nutrient transfer (especially, carbon and nitrogen). Cyanobacteria stand out among the other components due to the high frequency of occurrence and their importance in ecological processes. In Brazil, savanna (cerrado) habitats favor the development of BCs, where they can be easily and abundantly found. However, there are practically no studies on these communities in Brazilian territory. The presented project has as main objective to initiate studies of BCs by the survey of one of their most relevant components, the cyanobacteria, in terms of molecular profile of assemblages (genomic library) and taxonomic studies of the species found. The expected results will allow the comparison of the biota from different environments studied and the characterization of environmental parameters of occurrence of species and assemblages. Field works will be conducted in the Serra da Canastra and Serra do Cipó National Parks, both located in Minas Gerais State, and an third area (a State Park) in São Paulo State, still to be defined after field visit. The cyanobacterial assemblages found will be characterized by the construction of genomic libraries, which will allow the recognition of the molecular profile of each group and the comparison among assemblages from different geographic regions and environmental conditions. The specimens studied for taxonomy will be obtained directly from nature and from artificial cultivation. In both cases, the organisms will be identified applying traditional taxonomic criteria (mainly morphology and metrics) and, in case of organisms of interest, also by using molecular methods (16S rRNA). The research team is qualified and includes experts in the different approaches of the project. The proposal is considered relevant considering it addresses a subject of interest of biodiversity knowledge, as well as it focuses a key component of the biota and of the ecology of biomes like savanna. In addition to the specific products expected (scientific articles, monographs, thesis and training of qualified personnel), the establishment of this research line is considered as one of the core strengths of the proposal, which can settle the basis for complementary and more advanced approaches. (AU)