Intraspecific and intraindividual variation of cnidome in Ceriantharia (Cnidaria)

• Grant number: 17/25851-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Sérgio Nascimento Stampar
• Grantee: Fabiola Goes Corrêa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/21566-6 - Variation of cnidome (size and type) in Ceriantharia (Cnidaria; Anthozoa), BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The cnidocyst is a cellular structure unique to cnidarians that is widely used in taxonomic studies about certain groups, as sea-anemones and jellyfish. Although it is one of the main taxonomic methods to identify cnidarian species, its taxonomic value is debated due to intraspecific variation of cnidae observed in these animals. The studies that test the taxonomic relevance of this characters are important, given that utilization of cnidae in cnidarian taxonomy have not showed to be consistent. The species Ceriantheomorphe brasiliensis was chosen for this project due to the lack of studies about its cnidome, and with the results, it will be possible to raise an important discussion about the taxonomic value of cnidae within Ceriantharia. Thus, the present project aims to identify the intraspecific and intraindividual variation of cnidome in C. brasiliensis. The experiments will be carried out on 10 individuals collected in different regions of Brazil and Uruguay. The measurements will be performed using an optical microscope with digital camera and image measuring software, and later a statistical approach on cnidae size will be performed. Based on this information, it will be possible to start a discussion about the taxonomic importance of these organelles, given that up to now there are no data published about the intraspecific/intraindividual variation of these animals. (AU)