Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Gamasina (Mesostigmata) edaphic mites from the Caatinga biome

• Grant number: 22/16829-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 04, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Gilberto José de Moraes
• Grantee: Ávyla Régia de Albuquerque Barros
• Supervisor: Marie-Stephane Tixier Lopes
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Centre de Biologie et de Gestion des Populations (CBGP), France
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/27793-7 - Gamasina (Mesostigmata) edaphic mites: diversity in the Caatinga biome and evaluation of their potential for use as biological control agents, with the preparation of a taxonomic database of the world Rhodacaroidea, BP.DR

Abstract

Mites are one of the main components of the edaphic mesofauna. Despite the abundance of the Gamasina in the soil and its importance in pest control, these organisms are still poorly studied, mainly in the Caatinga biome, an exclusive region of northeastern Brazil. BIOTA/FAPESP thematic project (2017/12004-1) has made significant advances in the study of the diversity of these organisms, throughout the national territory, basically using the morphological taxonomy. Integrative taxonomy, including studies of morphology as well as molecular characterization, can enhance the knowledge of the diversity of soil Gamasina in Brazil. The use of molecular tools has helped taxonomy to speed up the identification of species especially those taken as cryptic, for which the differences are very small and difficult to visualize. However, the use of this tool is still not widespread in what concerns the edaphic Gamasina, due to the small number of basic studies. Thus, the general objective of this project is the optimization of the use of molecular tools in the characterization of common groups of soil Gamasina from agroecosystems and/ or natural environments of the Caatinga (FAPESP process 2019/27793-7, conducted under the umbrella of FAPESP process 2017/12004-1). A chance to enhance my knowledge in relation to the molecular tool, by a formal training in this area, under the leadership of a renowned researcher (Prof. Tixier of the Biology Center for Population Management (CBGP), Institut Agro Montpellier, France), will give me the opportunity to prepare myself to fulfill my interest in contributing to the use of integrative taxonomy of soil Gamasina. (AU)