Evolutionary biogeography and conservation of lanceheads of Bothrops alternatus group (Serpentes, Viperidae)

• Grant number: 13/03155-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: February 28, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Jannini Sawaya
• Grantee: Daniela Petrim de Araújo
• Host 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

Abstract

The geographical distribution of species is affected by historical and current factors. Models of species' ecological distribution, before named as models of species' ecological niches, has been used to understand the role of these factors in the geographical distribution of various species groups. The habitat loss caused by human actions can also influence the species' geographical distribution endangering species with restricted or limited distribution. The reconstruction of historical and ancestral geographical distribution of a particular group can contribute to understanding the evolution and conservation of their species. The Bothrops alternatus group is composed of six species: B. alternatus, B. itapetiningae, B. fonsecai, B. cotiara, B. ammodytoides e B. jonathani. At least three species are suffering the consequences of their habitat loss in the two most threatened Brazilian biomes, the Cerrado and Atlantic forest. Our aims are: 1) to understand the evolution of geographic distribution and use of open or forested habitat for species of Bothrops alternatus group and their hypothetical ancestors; and 2) to analyze whether recent habitat loss occurred in Brazil had some influence on the distribution patterns of the group. To understand the evolution of the landscape occupation, we'll use the reconstruction method of geographical distribution Statistical Dispersal-Vicariance Analysis (S-DIVA), from already available phylogenetic hypotheses. To analyze the influence on habitat loss for the species' geographical distribution, we'll build species' geographical distribution models from two distinct database with periods before and after habitat loss of a particular biome. In addition to contributing to the understanding of the group's evolution, this project can provide unpublished data of great importance for the conservation of the snakes from South America. (AU)

Academic Publications

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

ARAÚJO, Daniela Petrim de. Biogeografia histórica das jararacas do grupo Bothrops alternatus (Serpentes, Viperidae). 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas. São José do Rio Preto São José do Rio Preto.