Lost heritage of Dr. Jacel Kisielewski: integrative taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeographic patterns of Paucitubulatina (Gastrotricha, Chaetonotida).

• Grant number: 25/14491-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Sérgio Nascimento Stampar
• Grantee: Axell Kou Minowa
• 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

The phylum Gastrotricha is composed of micrometazoans that occupy key positions in the trophic network of the meiofaunal community in marine, freshwater and even limnoterrestrial enviroments. Athought common in virtually all aquatic ecosystems, it remains a globally neglected taxon due to handling challenges related to its small size and fragility. In Brazil, studies on its diversity and distribution are still incipient, with research gaining traction only from 2010 onwards, except for a single expedition led by the Professor Jacek Kisielewski in 1991, which described and systematized the group's diversity in the country. However, the type material from this work was not deposited in national museums, hindering comparisons needed to validate the discovery of new taxa, and violating the zoological nomenclature code. The aim of this project is to review and expand the knowledge on the taxonomy, evolution and diversity patterns of the phylum using an integrative approach that combines morphological description with genetic data. To achieve these goals, four research fronts are proposed to be developed over 36-months in Brazil, of which 12-month period internship abroad: The first involves the redescription of key gastrotrich species, focusing on Undula paraenses, Dasydytes nhumirimensis, Ornamentula paraenses, Setopus aequatorialis, Neogossea acanthocolla, Kijanebalola canina Kisielewski, 1991, among others, through integrative taxonomy to provide precise delimitation. The second front will focus on neuromuscular features using confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The third stage will involve the sequencing of genetic markers for the creation of genetic databases to support metabarcoding approaches using environmental DNA (eDNA) for identifying distribution patterns of freshwater gastrotrichs. Finally, the four stage involves the long-read genome sequencing to elucidate phylogenetic relationships and genome evolution of Brazilian species and of the phylum Gastrotricha as a whole.