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Taxonomy, morphology and distribuition of Polyplacophora (Mollusca) collected by the Brazilian Antarctic Expeditions (PROANTAR)

Grant number: 25/09221-7
Support Opportunities:Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
Start date: August 01, 2025
End date: July 31, 2026
Field of knowledge:Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
Principal Investigator:Flávio Dias Passos
Grantee:Júlia do Nascimento
Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
Associated research grant:18/10313-0 - Build-up of scientific collections of marine invertebrates: strategies for biodiversity conservation, AP.BTA.TEM

Abstract

The Antarctic environment is characterized by a vast diversity of organisms, some of which remain unknown to experts. Brazil began its research on the Antarctic continent in 1982, initially investigating the fauna of the South Shetland Islands, near the Antarctic Peninsula, and later focusing more specifically on Admiralty Bay, located on King George Island. Since then, several benthic organisms have been collected during Brazilian expeditions, with mollusks standing out due to numerous samples from several distinct groups. Among these specimens are representatives of Polyplacophora, commonly known as chitons, which are currently gathered at the UNICAMP Malacology Laboratory, awaiting further study. The objective of this project is to identify these specimens and provide detailed descriptions of the species, particularly by the morphological characteristics of the shell and the girdle, and additionally, record the geographic and bathymetric distribution of these species in the sampled region. All specimens will be deposited in the Museum of Biological Diversity (MDBio) of IB-UNICAMP, emphasizing that the museum's collection currently lacks polyplacophorans specimens. This Project is part of a broader effort to expand knowledge of marine biodiversity, through studies of the MDBio collection, further enriching its holdings, and within the scope of a Thematic Project linked to the Biota/Collections Program. Furthermore, this Scientific Initiation aims to develop human resources in the study of a group of mollusks that is rarely researched in Brazil, while also making use of the valuable data collected by the Brazilian Antarctic Program during its expeditions. (AU)

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