Phenotypical variability and molecular characterization of Scytonema/Brasilonema morphotypes (Nostocales, Cyanobacteria)

• Grant number: 13/08870-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2013
• End date: June 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Luis Henrique Zanini Branco
• Grantee: Bruna Maiara Ferraz
• 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

Cyanobacteria present wide morphological variability and ecological plasticity and are adapted to different environments and geographical regions. Historically, the genus Scytonema has been recognized as one of the most frequent, abundant and diversified in terrestrial environments, but its infrageneric taxonomy reveals several problems. Considering the importance and representativeness of this cyanobacterial genus, investigations are still necessary to better define and distinguish the species as well as to establish the taxonomic limits with closer genera, as Brasilonema e.g. Thus, this study aims 1. the increasing of the taxonomic studies on the genus Scytonema in Brazil; 2. the morphological comparison of Scytonema species from Brazilian aerophytic environments with species found in different global environments, and; 3. the analysis of the molecular characteristics of different populations/species found. Populations of Scytonema (or similar morphotypes) will be collected in different habitats (environmental conditions of occurrence will also be recorded) and studied regarding morphological and metric characteristics (it is estimate the study of around 25 populations/species). Molecular characterization using 16S rRNA complete sequences (additional markers, such as ITS, will also be included if necessary) will be produced from cultures of selected populations. The data from the different approaches will be employed for taxonomic considerations (AU)