Study of molecular and morphological variation in Anchoviella lepidentostole Fowler, 1911 (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

• Grant number: 13/13540-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: January 06, 2014
• End date: July 05, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Naercio Aquino Menezes
• Grantee: Marina Vianna Loeb
• Supervisor: Luiz A. Rocha
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: California Academy of Sciences, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/06830-0 - Phylogenetic relationships of Engraulinae and review of Anchoviella Fowler, 1911 (Clupeiformes Engraulidae), BP.DR

Abstract

Anchoviella comprises schooling fishes, with marine, estuarine and freshwater habits distributed in South, Central and North America. Currently, 10 valid species of Anchoviella are recognized (Loeb, 2012), including Anchoviella lepidentostole Fowler, 1911, a marine species of commercial importance that occurs along Atlantic in South America coast, from Paraná, at baía de Paranaguá, to Venezuela, at the mouth of rio Orinoco, and that can enter freshwater rivers for dozens of kilometers (Whitehead et al., 1988). Studies of genetic structure can be presented as important tools, as in the case of A. lepidentostole, in wich it can assist the discovery of population clusters, primarily non-identified by morphological analysis, basin the taking of taxonomic decisions and having potential impact on the management of the species. It is intended, therefore, to characterize both morphological and genetic structure variation in samples of A. lepidentostole from different localities along the distribution area of the species, diagnose and redescribe A. lepidentostole, adding morphological and molecular knowledge, a pioneer analysis in Engraulidae. (AU)