REVEALING THE SPECIES COMPLEX OF LEPORINUS PIAU (ANOSTOMIDAE) USING RADseq AND DNA BARCODING: A NEW INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO EXPLORE CRYPTIC DIVERSITY IN A COMPLEX HYDROGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

• Grant number: 23/16629-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Manoel Galetti Junior
• Grantee: Katia Milagros Aylas Hernández
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/23548-2 - Evaluation, recovering and conservation of endangered animal species from the Pernambuco Centre of Endemism, AP.BTA.TEM

Abstract

This project is linked to the Thematic Project "Assessment, recovery and conservation of the endangered fauna of the Pernambuco Endemism Center (CEP)", supported by FAPESP (2017/23548-2), expanding its initial objectives to the knowledge of the endemic ichthyofauna of the local. Leporinus piau is a valuable resource for subsistence, commercial, sport fishing and aquaculture. Its wide distribution in the semi-arid basins and biomes of the northeast region of Brazil, including isolated coastal basins, as in the case of CEP, makes this species a candidate for cryptic diversity. In recent years, molecular investigations, using mitochondrial and nuclear markers, have shown evidence of hidden diversity in L. piau, which has at least two MOTUs corresponding to the Jaguaribe and Parnaíba river basins, indicating the need for further studies. DNA barcoding has proven to be an effective tool for delimiting Anostomidae species; however, the use of whole genomic data can be decisive in resolving cases of recently diversified Neotropical fish species with complex hydrographic settings. The objective of this study is to investigate the cryptic diversity of L. piau using RADseq sequencing and DNA barcoding methodologies, covering as much of its distribution area as possible. This study will provide a more complete molecular analysis of L. piau, generating essential information that can be used in planning management and conservation strategies for this species.