Taxonomic uncertainties behind a name: investigating the hidden diversity under the name Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae)

• Grant number: 22/15150-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Aléssio Datovo da Silva
• Grantee: Vinicius de Carvalho Cardoso Cassaro
• Supervisor: Lynne R. Parenti
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/01032-2 - Taxonomic review of Gymnotus sylvius complex (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae): an integrated approach of morphological and molecular data, BP.MS

Abstract

Proposing to elucidate one of the great taxonomic obstacles of the neotropical electric fishes, this project focuses on Gymnotus carapo, a widely distributed in South America species described by Linnaeus in 1758. The present proposal aims to provide detailed comparative internal and external morphological analysis using traditional taxonomic practices combined with technologies such as CT-Scan and X-rays including specimens from Suriname, the type locality of G. carapo. All Gymnotus specimens stored in USNM fish collection will be analyzed in order to provide a more robust delimitation of G. carapo and possible new related species. (AU)