Taxonomy, Biogeography and Modeling of Invasive Microcrustacean Species (Cladocera and Copepoda) on a Global Scale

• Grant number: 24/23303-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Gilmar Perbiche Neves
• Grantee: Camila Moreira da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

There are significant gaps in knowledge about the diversity and global distribution of microcrustaceans (Cladocera and Copepoda), especially with regard to the historical and environmental interactions that shape their presence and adaptation. Thus, the aim of this study is to understand the biodiversity patterns of microcrustaceans on a global scale from different perspectives, using an integrative approach that combines taxonomy, ecology and biogeography. Divided into four fronts, the study will use different methods to address biogeographical, taxonomic and ecological questions. Specific objectives include analysing the global distribution of microcrustaceans, mapping biodiversity hotspots, identifying conservation priorities and assessing the differences and similarities between the African Great Lakes and the North American Great Lakes. The study will also use integrative taxonomy to analyse the widely distributed species Ceriodaphnia dubia Richard, 1894 and Thermocyclops decipiens Kiefer, 1929 from a continental perspective. Finally, predictive models will be used to assess the distribution of invasive microcrustaceans in future and stochastic scenarios. Different hypotheses will be tested, and a global database will be created, with the identification of areas of high biodiversity and endemism, a better understanding of biogeographical interactions between continents, advances in the taxonomy of microcrustaceans and predictions about biological invasions. Subsidies will be provided for the conservation and sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems, with five articles expected to be published in high-impact scientific journals. (AU)