Distribution and morphology of lateral line canals in rays and its systematic relevance (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii: Batoidea)

• Grant number: 12/19280-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: January 07, 2013
• End date: April 06, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Rodrigues de Carvalho
• Grantee: Maíra Portella Ragno
• Supervisor: Luiz A. Rocha
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: California Academy of Sciences, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/04647-3 - Distribution and morphology of lateral line canals in rays and its systematic relevance (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii: Batoidea), BP.MS

Abstract

Batoidea includes all the rays and its monophyly is well-corroborated. However, the phylogenetic interrelationships within the group are still debatable. Some phylogenies consider Pristiformes as the basal group of Batoidea while others considered Torpediniformes the most basal group. Rhinobatiformes are seen as a monophyletic group by some authors and as paraphyletic by others. Phylogenetic positioning problems also are found within the genders of Torpediniformes,Rhinobatiformes, Rajiformes and Myliobatiformes. The distribution of the canals of the lateral line sensory system presents wide variation between batoid groups, and although this system is not well studied in elasmobranchs, its constitutes an important source of phylogenetic characters. The master's project bound to this proposal aims to describe the distribution and morphology of the canals of the lateral line sensory system in Batoidea, gathering possible characters with phylogenetic relevance which may help elucidate the phylogenetic problems in this group. Although, the project viability depends of the analysis of representative material found in international institutions. Thus, this proposal presents a solicitation of a fellowship in research internship abroad to be realized on the biological institution California Academy of Science (CAS), under the supervision of Dr. Luiz A. Rocha, curator of the CAS ichthyological collection. On this institution will be possible to analyze much of the remaining material for project completion, as well as the requirement of loan of material from other American institutions. (AU)