Systematics of the class Scaphopoda (Mollusca): assessment of the addition of soft parts morphology and shell morphometric data

• Grant number: 08/03999-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2008
• End date: July 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Ricardo Lopes de Simone
• Grantee: Carlos Henrique Soares Caetano
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Moluscs of the class Scaphopoda are characterized by the presence of a univalve and tubular external shell, open at both ends and with some degree of curvature. The lower species richness of the group (= 517 Recent species) and your apparent conchilio-morphological homogeneity were factors less atractive within the malacologists, giving to the Scaphopoda a status of relative unknowledgement when compared to the Gastropoda, Bivalvia and Cephalopoda. The taxonomy of these moluscs is, mainly, based in the shell study with the narrow variation and, in most cases, absence of characters representing a limitant factor for taxonomical decisions. This work aims to realize a study of systematics of Scaphopoda with the addition of detailed morphology of soft parts e shell morphometrics, checking the aplicability and robustness of these data that are, in the most of cases, yet unavailable. The material to be used will come from malacological collection from Brazial and others countries. The metodological and analitical procediments to be adopted are described in appropriated section of the project. The completion of this project, we intend to continue an existing research line that focuses on the taxonomy and systematic study of Scaphopoda from Brazil, that was initiated by the candidate during his doctorate thesis. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CARLOS H. S. CAETANO; VICTOR SCARABINO; RICARDO S. ABSALÃO. Brazilian species of Gadila (Mollusca: Scaphopoda: Gadilidae): rediscovery of Gadila elongata comb. nov. and shell morphometrics. Zoologia, v. 27, n. 2, p. 305-308, 2010-04-00. (08/03999-0)

CAETANO, CARLOS H. S.; SCARABINO, VICTOR; ABSALAO, RICARDO S.. Brazilian species of Gadila (Mollusca: Scaphopoda: Gadilidae): rediscovery of Gadila elongata comb. nov and shell morphometrics. Zoologia, v. 27, n. 2, p. 305-308, APR 2010. (08/03999-0)