Characterization and certification of type specimens and scientific collections of seaweeds from Brazil using multigene barcoding approach

• Grant number: 19/16956-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: March 19, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Mutue Toyota Fujii
• Grantee: Gahun Boo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Botânica. Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50341-0 - Challenges for biodiversity conservation facing climate changes, pollution, land use and occupation (PDIp), AP.PDIP

Abstract

Recent progress on molecular systematic methodologies has resolved tremendously taxonomic issues, especially for seaweeds which have a long history but are simple in morphologies. However, our taxonomic knowledge on all group of seaweeds remains largely incomplete as some taxa and some regions have seldom been investigated. Based on my expertise in DNA sequencing from red and brown algal species, I propose a feasible one-year project with the purpose of stabilizing the taxonomy of Brazilian seaweeds. I will conduct a multigene barcoding study, including the conserved part of the rbcL gene and cox1, of type specimens and scientific collections in SP and other established herbaria. Multigene barcoding sequences will be obtained using High-Throughput Sequencing technology. Multigene sequences from type material as well as herbarium collections and fresh specimens, including topotype, will be used to build a phylogenetic classification system, based on objective evidence for the correct application of names for Brazilian seaweeds. It is likely that I will describe new species and/or new genera following the rules of the code. Geographic ranges of morphologically variable species will be established on the basis of molecular evidence. Molecular evidence for genetic continuity and/or discontinuity between Northern/Southern Brazil and the neighboring regions will enhance our knowledge of species diversity, speciation events, and cryptic species, with broad evolutionary and ecological implications worldwide. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BOO, GA HUN; ZUBIA, MAYALEN; HUGHEY, JEFFERY R.; SHERWOOD, ALISON R.; FUJII, MUTUE T.; BOO, SUNG MIN; MILLER, KATHY ANN. Complete Mitochondrial Genomes Reveal Population-Level Patterns in the Widespread Red Alga Gelidiella fanii (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta). FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE, v. 7, OCT 8 2020. (19/16956-2)

BOO, GA HUN; CHO, TAE OH; SHERWOOD, ALISON R.; BOO, SUNG MIN; FUJII, MUTUE TOYOTA. Discovery of Wilsonosiphonia fujiae (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) from the Maldives Islands and transfer of Polysiphonia rhizoidea from Hawai'i to Wilsonosiphonia. PHYTOTAXA, v. 451, n. 1, p. 63-72, JUL 1 2020. (19/16956-2)