Assessment of Interstitial Actiniaria Species from the Coast of Amapá

• Grant number: 24/18869-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Sérgio Nascimento Stampar
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Rossi Felipe
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/16193-1 - Biology, ecology and systematics of Sea-anemones lato sensu (Anthozoa, Actiniaria and Ceriantharia) in Atlantic Ocean, AP.BTA.R

Abstract

Cnidarians are a widely distributed marine phylum that plays essential roles in ocean ecosystems. They are divided into three subphyla: Anthozoa, Endocnidozoa, and Medusozoa, with Anthozoa being the most diverse, comprising approximately 7,200 described species. The order Actiniaria, within the subclass Zoantharia, currently includes 46 species of sea anemones along the Brazilian coast. These organisms have significant ecological importance and serve as bioindicators of environmental quality. However, knowledge about Actiniaria fauna, particularly in the Amazon region, is limited. The state of Amapá, with its complex hydrological system and varied coastline characterized by high sedimentation levels, has a significant gap in Actiniaria surveys. This project aims to address this gap by identifying and characterizing Actiniaria species in the sublittoral zone of Amapá. To achieve this, both morphological and molecular analyses of specimens collected from unconsolidated substrates will be conducted. The analyses will include anatomical, micrometric, histological, and genetic marker studies. Integrating these data will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the diversity and distribution of sea anemones in the region, enhancing knowledge of the local marine fauna and contributing to biogeographical knowledge, as well as to the conservation and environmental management of marine biodiversity in Brazil.