Taxonomic review of Gymnotus sylvius complex (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae): an integrated approach of morphological and molecular data

• Grant number: 22/01032-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Aléssio Datovo da Silva
• Grantee: Vinicius de Carvalho Cardoso Cassaro
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/19075-9 - Diversity and evolution of Gymnotiformes (Teleostei, Ostariophysi), AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/15150-7 - Taxonomic uncertainties behind a name: investigating the hidden diversity under the name Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae), BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Gymnotus sylvius Albert, Fernandes-Matioli & Almeida-Toledo is a Neotropical electric fish species described from a restricted region of southeastern Brazil. Since then, this name has been applied to several populations with a similar color pattern to that reported for the species, considerably expanding its original distribution. Additionally, recent works that addressed molecular and cytogenetic aspects of the species have suggested that G. sylvius may be a species complex. Thus, the present project aims to conduct a detailed taxonomic study of the G. sylvius complex, with an integrated approach of morphological and molecular data that provide a more accurate delimitation of its members. (AU)