Phylogenetic study of Polysiphonia sensu lato, with emphasis on the Polysiphonia sertularioides complex (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta)

• Grant number: 23/17959-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: May 20, 2024
• End date: August 19, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Taxonomy
• Principal Investigator: Valéria Cassano
• Grantee: Jhullyrson Osman Ferreira de Brito
• Supervisor: Pilar Diaz Tapia
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Vida (USC), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/14076-5 - Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the genus Polysiphonia sensu lato (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) on the Brazilian coast, BP.DR

Abstract

The present study aims to contribute to knowledge of Polysiphonia sensu lato, emphasizing the Polysiphonia sertularioides complex by morphological and molecular means, applying mitochondrial DNA barcode, coi-5p and comparing DNA sequences of the plastid gene rbcL for phylogentic analysis, also with the possibility of inclusion of phylogenomic studies. Recent revisions of the representants of Polysiphonia, the most speciose genus of red algas, resulted in the establishment of new genus and revalidation of old names. However, preliminary molecular studies indicate that some species are actually a species complex. Within these lineages, the Polysiphonia sertularioides are referred for the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, but preliminary data shows cryptic diversity, also uncertain phylogenetical position at genus level. Our preliminary data shows the presence of Polysiphonia sertularioides in Brazilian coast, with cryptic and endemic diversity. Besides that, there is no revision with this species with a wider sampling. In this sense, taxonomic and molecular approaches are essential to understand and conserve this marine biodiversity.