The use of microsatellites to evaluate the genetic discontinuity found in Gracilaria caudata (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) along the Brazilian coast

• Grant number: 16/16524-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: February 06, 2017
• End date: August 05, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany
• Principal Investigator: Estela Maria Plastino
• Grantee: Lígia Maria Ayres Ostrock
• Supervisor: Christophe Destombe
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Station Biologique de Roscoff, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/14893-2 - Phylogeography of Gracilaria caudata (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta): a study of genetic discontinuity based on physiological and molecular evidences, BP.PD

Abstract

Considering the importance of population genetic studies to better understand the distribution of marine benthic algae along the Brazilian coast, we selected as a model species Gracilaria caudata. Previous studies identified geographical structuring for populations along the Brazilian coast, indicating the existence of a possible genetic barrier influenced by environmental factors. The three groups found have as limits the states of Pernambuco, Bahia and Espírito Santo, a region that is part of the underwater volcanic chain called Vitória-Trindade, which also includes the mouth of the São Francisco River. However, populations in the states of Alagoas and Sergipe were not previously sampled. In addition, in the Southeast region only two populations were sampled (Espírito Santo and São Paulo), which does not include the population located at the Southernmost extreme of the species distribution (Santa Catarina). In the current project, we intend to: i, access the genetic diversity of five populations of G. caudata through microsatellites in order to better understand the possible evolutionary relationships among different populations, in addition to allowing a more precise delimitation of the biogeographic transition zone of the Brazilian coast.