Ascidians from Ubatuba (SP)

• Grant number: 23/08145-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Tito Monteiro da Cruz Lotufo
• Grantee: Guilherme Wenceslau Piazzaroli Leite
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ascidians are solitary or colonial marine fouling organisms with sessile and filter-feeding habits. They hold a fundamental ecological role as benthic animals: they can serve as substrates to commensal and parasitic organisms, compete for substrate areas with other benthic animals, and are a source of food for many species. Additionally, they are ecologically important due to their resilience in eutrophicated environments and ability to colonize new areas. Ascidians belong to the Ascidacea class, which is the most diverse group inside the subphylum Tunicata. There are approximately 100 registered species in Brazil, of which 66 occur on São Paulo's coastline. However, there is little information about this group's diversity and distribution in Ubatuba (SP). Samples from several sites in the region, with depths ranging between 0 and 10 meters, were collected and will be analyzed. Some were previously obtained and stored in the Biological Collection of IOUSP (COLBIO). Besides, we intend to sample species associated with rhodoliths in a recently discovered bank in Ilha das Couves, Ubatuba-SP. Specimens were collected through snorkeling and scuba diving by removing individuals with scrapers. Ascidians were also obtained from the processing of ARMS (Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures), previously installed in the area on two occasions (2020 and 2022). Additionally, subsamples were collected for genetic analysis and stored in 95% ethanol. For identification, specimens will be dissected and classified using specific keys for ascidians.