Community diversity in Brazilian Southeast soft-bodied meiofauna

• Grant number: 22/10285-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Sónia Cristina da Silva Andrade
• Grantee: Giulia da Silva Marangoni
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06738-8 - Seascape genetics and comparative genomics: an integrative evolutionary approach in marine invertebrates, AP.BTA.JP2

Abstract

The project "Seascape genetics and comparative genomics: an integrative evolutionary approach in marine invertebrates" demands comparative statistical analysis in order to understand how the distribution of genetic variability of these groups occurs along the Southeast coast. Such diversity estimates are commonly underestimated due to the scarce inclusions of neglected taxa in the inferences, such as soft-bodied meiofauna, for instance. From the sampled locations, we will search for differences in the levels of diversity between sandy beaches with dissipative and reflective extreme morphodynamic states. For this purpose, we will use local environmental variables to investigate the role of local ecological predictors over the diversity of meiofauna. In addition to contributing to the current status of knowledge, this approach could serve as a basis for future evolutionary and coastal ecology studies.(AU)