Molecular characterization of Chirocentrodon bleekerianus (Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae)

• Grant number: 23/12170-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Claudio de Oliveira
• Grantee: Júlia Vitória dos Santos Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/13433-6 - Phylogeny and molecular identification of fishes of the superorder Ostariophysi (Chordata: Actinopterygii) using genomic approaches, AP.TEM

Abstract

The marine environment has an unparalleled value in terms of biodiversity and fish, the richest group of vertebrates in number of species, are essential in monitoring and environmental health of marine ecosystems. The order Clupeiformes is currently composed of 405 species, commonly known as sardines and anchovies, belonging to 92 genera distributed in five families. Chirocentrodon bleekerianus, is a small sardine, about 10 cm long, and its distribution is described as being in the Western Atlantic, from the Caribbean to the southeastern coast of South America. Until now, there is no genetic information about C. bleekerianus, thus, the present study aims to carry out a molecular characterization of Chirocentrodon bleekerianus, using mainly sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene, analyzing several local populations within the limits of its area of occurrence. The hypothesis to be tested is that there is only one population in the entire distribution area of the species. For the project, we already have, in our collection of fish and fabrics, samples from 9 local populations, from São Paulo to Amapá, totaling 25 specimens. Throughout the project new samples should be collected and incorporated into the study. Samples from the Caribbean region will be obtained from partners in Colombia and Mexico mainly.