Unravelling patterns in the Deep Atlantic Ocean: The Brazilian caudofoveate aplacophorans (Mollusca) as ecological and biogeographical models

• Grant number: 22/13237-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Tito Monteiro da Cruz Lotufo
• Grantee: Marcel Sabino Miranda
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Deep-sea are among the most challenging environments of the world for conducting research. Hence, deep-sea environments are little known about its ecology and biogeography. Many groups are unique and important to understand this ecosystem, including the Aplacophora-Caudofoveata mollusks. Considering this scenario, the present projects aims to use the caudofoveate as models to understand ecological and biogeographical patterns in the deep Atlantic Ocean. Community ecology analysis based on machine learning modelling will be carried out, using as data different sampling campaigns that occurred along Brazilian coast. In addition, from museum and data literature compilations, biogeographical analyzes will be done, based on species distribution modelling and analysis of endemism. Finally, using specific protocols for formalin fixed specimens, molecular phylogenetic analyzes and haplotype networks for species of Brazilian coast will be done. To carry out this project, important partnerships in Brazil and abroad were established. With this, this project intends to significantly expand the knowledge of deep-sea caudofoveate aplacophorans, based on determination of the ecology and biogeography patterns of the group in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as to develop a new research line based on the use of new techniques of ecological and biogeographic investigation.

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)

MIRANDA, MARCEL SABINO; PASSOS, FLAVIO DIAS; BATISTAO, ALAN RODRIGO. New occurrences of Mirinaba unidentata (GB Sowerby II, 1825) from southeastern Brazil, with comments on the distribution of M. planidens (Michelin, 1831) (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Strophocheilidae). JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY, v. 45, p. 6-pg., 2024-01-01. (22/12606-0, 22/13237-8, 21/00994-2)