The Phylogenetic Systematics in Brazil: the first generations of brazilian phylogenetic systematists

• Grant number: 12/08924-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Flávio Alicino Bockmann
• Grantee: Vanessa Navarro Roma
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Phylogenetic Systematics, area dedicated to reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships based on common ancestry, is universally accepted as reference system in order to understand biological diversity, as well as to establishment research programs in Comparative Biology. Although Brazil has an impressive scientific production about this field, the first three decades of documentation is scarce. Much of what we produced can be recovered through the narratives of the main actors in the implementation of phylogenetic systematics in Brazil. It is necessary, therefore, recover and synthesize the information accumulated overmore than 30 years. This project proposes to use Oral History theoretical and methodological framework. The goals are: to document the implementation of Phylogenetic Systematics in Brazil, through the narratives of the main representatives and other documentary sources, to identify the main characters, research cores, and responsible actions for the implementation and establishment of phylogenetic systematics in Brazil; to profile main groups of brazilians phylogenetic systematists, and identify their main influences and guidance, discuss the impact of phylogenetic systematics in the production areas such as zoology, botany and paleontology, to analyze the historical process and the current situation in order to establish guidelines to ensure the future development of research associated with phylogenetic systematics in Brazil.