Phylogeny of Halacaridae (Acari: Prostigmata) inferred from fine morphology of spermatozoa and molecular data

• Grant number: 05/03458-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2006
• End date: October 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Eduardo Falavigna da Rocha
• Grantee: Almir Rogério Pepato
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Halacarid mites are one of the most abundant among meiofaunal taxa and one of the most diversified among secondarily marine taxa. High levels of endemism and existence of several well delimited genera of cosmopolitan distribution make them a potential tool for biogeographical studies. However, the absence of well-sustained phylogenetic hypothesis and the gaps on knowledge of Halacarid diversity precludes a thorough biogeographic study on this group since a historical perspective. This project is concerned about both lacunae. First, an inference trough total evidence of genera relationships will be performed. Second, as a by-product of first objective, many new species are expected to be described, particularly in the northern zone of São Paulo State littoral, Brazil. Among morphological data, those from spermatology will be emphasized. Although only four Halacaridae species had their sperm cells studied, it is remarkable the great range of variation among sperm cells of the halacarid species and the potential of the spermatological data as a source of information to future phylogenetic studies. Among molecular data, a preliminary study will be performed using COI regions I and II and 18S V-4 region. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PEPATO, ALMIR R.; DA ROCHA, CARLOS E. F.; DUNLOP, JASON A.. Phylogenetic position of the acariform mites: sensitivity to homology assessment under total evidence. BMC Evolutionary Biology, v. 10, AUG 2 2010. (05/03458-1, 03/10335-8, 08/06604-7, 05/01299-3, 04/09961-4)

PEPATO, ALMIR R.; TIAGO, CLAUDIO G.; ROCHA, CARLOS E. F.. Psammophilous halacarid mites (Trombidiformes, Halacaridae) from the North Coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Zootaxa, v. N/A, n. 2823, p. 14-pg., 2011-04-18. (98/07090-3, 05/03458-1)

PEPATO, ALMIR R.; TIAGO, CLAUDIO G.; ROCHA, CARLOS E. F.. Psammophilous halacarid mites (Trombidiformes, Halacaridae) from the North Coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Zootaxa, n. 2823, p. 47-60, APR 18 2011. (05/03458-1)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

PEPATO, Almir Rogério. Phylogenetic position af Actinotrichida mites (Chelicerata) and comparative spermatology of Halacaridae (Actinotrichida). 2009. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB) São Paulo.