A survey of bacterial endosymbionts collected along an altitudinal transect in the Atlantic Forest

• Grant number: 16/15434-4
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal researcher: Rodrigo Cogni
• Grantee: Marcos Aurélio Martins Oliveira da Silva
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/25991-0 - Ecological genomics of insects: climate adaptations and evolution of ecological interactions, AP.JP

Abstract

This project aims to estimate the frequency of the bacterial endosymbionts Wolbachia and Spiroplasma in drosophilid communities collected along an altitudinal transect in the Atlantic Forest. Over twelve months a student will work with the Principal Investigator in sampling, sorting and identification of Drosophila species associated with mushroom and fruits in fermentation in the forest ground. The student will be responsible for determining the frequency of individuals infected by the two bacteria byPCR reactions. (AU)