Ontogeny of the skeletal system of Schizolecis guntheri (Miranda-Ribeiro 1918) (Siluriformes, Loricariidae): homologies and phylogenetic implications

• Grant number: 22/15668-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: February 20, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Mario Cesar Cardoso de Pinna
• Grantee: Jonatas Santos Lima Pereira
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/05420-2 - Exploring evolutionary mechanisms in the development of the skeletal system of Schizolecis guntheri (Miranda-Ribeiro 1918) (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): phenotypic plasticity, homologies and phylogenetic implications, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

The family Loricariidae is one of the most diverse families in Siluriformes, occupying the majority of freshwater environments in South America. Immense progress has been made in recent years regarding the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the family. However, knowledge about the ontogeny of Loricariidae remains rudimentary. This situation represents a clear knowledge gap, as the interaction between development, phylogeny, and evolutionary patterns is essential for a comprehensive understanding of biological diversification processes. Our project aims to provide a descriptive-comparative study of the skeletal development of Schizolecis guntheri, which will be the first of its kind within the Hypoptopomatinae, one of the most important subfamilies of Loricariidae. The study will provide decisive basic evidence for understanding the origin and homology of some controversial structures, including the "antorbital," lacrimal, interoperculum, among others. The results will shed light on relevant issues not only in Loricariidae but also in Siluriformes as a whole. Additionally, it will present, for the first time, a framework of the timing and relative pace of phenotypic differentiation within the family. The collections of complete ontogenetic series of S. guntheri, which have already been conducted, will provide the first material of this kind available for Hypoptopomatinae in collections. This will be an important addition to the available material for research in evolution and development. The results are expected to significantly broaden the understanding of the evolution of an important phenotypic complex and provide relevant insights into the evolution of development in Siluriformes and other bony fishes.