Entering the phylogenomic era (BEPE phase): advances in tropidurine systematics must unveil the origins of a complex South American lizard radiation

• Grant number: 17/20235-3
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Miguel Trefaut Urbano Rodrigues
• Grantee: André Luiz Gomes de Carvalho
• Supervisor abroad: Matthew Kenji Fujita
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Local de pesquisa : University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/08249-6 - Entering the phylogenomic era: advances in Tropidurine systematics must unveil the origins of a complex South American lizard radiation, BP.PD

Abstract

In the post-doctoral project submitted to FAPESP, we stated that our goal was to examine for the first time, in a continental scale, the identity, origin, and biogeographic history of one of the most diverse South American lizard radiations: the tropidurines. To do so, we need to take advantage of advanced sequencing techniques (next generation sequencing, NGS) and truly comprehensive data sets. The BEPE internship will allow the Co-PI to go towards these scientific and practical goals. That is why we listed in the original post-doctoral proposal to FAPESP the BEPE program as a necessary resource to be requested next. Overall, we aim to (1) produce a monophyletic classification of tropidurines; (2) elucidate and describe taxonomic diversity in this group; and (3) investigate its biogeographic and diversification history. Throughout the BEPE internship, most efforts will be concentrated on learning and execution of NGS methods and bioinformatics tools for analysis of large multi-locus and genomic-level data sets. More specifically, we expect to (i) have access to advanced technological resources, molecular lab, and bioinformatics training at the University of Texas at Arlington, (ii) produce massive amounts of DNA sequence data, (iii) learn and develop analytical methods in phylogenomics and biogeography, (iv) produce high-impact peer reviewed publications, (v) collect morphological data of specimens deposited in US institutions, and (vi) establish international collaborations with scientists who are leading the fields of phylogenomics, bioinformatics, genome evolution, and biogeography. (AU)