Genetic diversity and taxonomic revision of Elachistocleis cesarii (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920) (Anura, Microhylidae)

• Grant number: 13/19490-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Célio Fernando Baptista Haddad
• Grantee: Vinicius Simões de Almeida Loredam
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The genus Elachistocleis Parker, 1927 (Gastrophryninae: Microhylidae) currently has 17 species that can be subdivided into two groups according to the ventral color pattern, One has immaculate chest and belly and other with spots or blotches on belly. The genus has a wide distribution in South America, occupying various biomes. Despite recent efforts to revise the taxonomy of the genus Elachistocleis, there are still many questions about the taxonomic status of some species. Elachistocleis cesarii (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920) is a species that has ventral color pattern spotted and is found in states of the Southeast, some of the Midwest and some of the Northeast region. Currently the characters used in species identification may not be accurate enough; it is possible that E. cesarii represents, in fact, a complex of cryptic species. Therefore, we seek a more precise way to identify the species, as well as to clarify its phylogenetic relationships based on molecular and morphological data based in literature and public databases, in addition to those to be collected by us. The study will use primarily individuals and tissues deposited in zoological collections, yet complementary efforts in collecting field may also be needed. The analysis will be performed from the DNA sequences and morphological data (quantitative and qualitative) obtained using appropriate methods. (AU)

Academic Publications

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

LOREDAM, Vinicius Simões de Almeida. Diversidade genética e considerações sobre Elachistocleis cesarii (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920). 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Rio Claro Rio Claro.