Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the genus Polysiphonia sensu lato (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) on the Brazilian coast

• Grant number: 21/14076-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: October 01, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Valéria Cassano
• Grantee: Jhullyrson Osman Ferreira de Brito
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/17959-0 - Phylogenetic study of Polysiphonia sensu lato, with emphasis on the Polysiphonia sertularioides complex (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta), BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The present project aims to contribute to the knowledge of diversity of the genus Polysiphonia sensu lato on the Brazilian coast through morphological and molecular tools, applying the mitochondrial DNA barcode marker, COI-5P, and the comparison of DNA sequences of the plastid rbcL gene for phylogenetic analysis. Polysiphonia is the most speciose genus within the red algae and has a conflicting taxonomic history. Many proposals have been carried out splitting Polysiphonia into different genera, mainly based on molecular data and, primarily on particular characteristics of rhizoids and reproductive structures. The Brazilian coast houses 19 species and one variety of Polysiphonia sensu lato, which includes the genera Polysiphonia sensu stricto, Carradoriella, Kapraunia, Melanothanus, Vertebrata, and Wilsonosiphonia. However, there is no systematic study that includes molecular data from these representatives, which may be indicate that their diversity may be underestimated and increases the possibility of misquoted citations and misapplied names. In this context, taxonomic and molecular approaches to these organisms are essential to the knowledge and conservation of marine biodiversity. This study is pioneer in Brazil and aims to fill a relevant gap in the group's knowledge in the country.

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)

DE BRITO, JHULLYRSON O. F.; CASSANO, VALERIA. Kapraunia silviae (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta), a new species from the South Atlantic Ocean. Botanica Marina, v. 67, n. 4, p. 14-pg., 2024-07-03. (22/12597-0, 21/14076-5, 22/13278-6)