Phylogenetic analyses of Aplysiomorpha (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia), based on comparative morphology and systematics review of the Brazilian species

• Grant number: 10/11253-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2010
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal researcher: Luiz Ricardo Lopes de Simone
• Grantee: Carlo Magenta Cunha
• Home Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Aplysiomorpha is characterized by the presence of opaline gland, ink gland and gizzards. The taxonomy of the group is controversial, and often based on external color patterns. The taxon is currently divided into two superfamilies, Akeroidea and Aplysioidea, that together comprise about 90 species, typically found in intertidal regions around the world. The main objective of the present work is to perform a phylogenetic analysis of Aplysiomorpha based on morphological data derived from detailed anatomical study of the soft parts. Representatives of all current genus will be analyzed. Based on the results of the phylogenetic analysis a taxonomic review of known Brazilian species will be performed and dichotomous keys produced. The material will come from Brazilian and international malacological. The methodologies adopted are widely accepted, and have been described in the appropriate sections. This study fills a gap in the knowledge of phylogenetic relationships and morphology of the group. The taxonomy of Aplysiomorpha of Brazil, in particular, is still unclear and has not been reviewed, although some species, especially within the genus Aplysia, that is widely used as model organisms in other areas of science such as pharmacology and neuroscience. (AU)

Scientific publications

(11)

(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)

CUNHA, CARLO M.; SIMONE, LUIZ RICARDO L. Morphological re-description of Aplysia depilans (Gastropoda: Anaspidea): new insights into the anatomy of the anaspideans. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, v. 99, n. 3, p. 595-610, MAY 2019. Web of Science Citations: 2.

SAAD, LUIZA DE OLIVEIRA; CUNHA, CARLO MAGENTA; DELEVATI COLPO, KARINE. How mollusk assemblages respond to different urbanization levels: characterization of the malacofauna in subtropical Brazilian mangroves. MARINE BIODIVERSITY, v. 49, n. 2, p. 989-999, APR 2019. Web of Science Citations: 0.

SIMONE, LUIZ RICARDO L. Convergence with naticids: phenotypic phylogenetic study on some Antarctic littorinoideans, with description of the zerotulid new genus Pseudonatica, and its presence in Brazil (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, v. 98, n. 6, p. 1365-1381, SEP 2018. Web of Science Citations: 0.

CUNHA, CARLO M.; SALVADOR, RODRIGO B.; SIMONE, LUIZ R. L. The terrestrial microgastropods of Trindade Island, Brazil. SPIXIANA, v. 38, n. 1, p. 139-143, AUG 2015. Web of Science Citations: 4.

SAAD, LUIZA DE OLIVEIRA; CUNHA, CARLO MAGENTA; DELEVATI COLPO, KARINE; VALDES, ANGEL. It's not what it looks like: molecular data fails to substantiate morphological differences in two sea hares (Mollusca, Heterobranchia, Aplysiidae) from southern Brazil. HELGOLAND MARINE RESEARCH, v. 68, n. 4, p. 523-530, DEC 2014. Web of Science Citations: 1.

SIMONE, LUIZ RICARDO L.; CUNHA, CARLO M. Taxonomical study on the mollusks collected in Marion-Dufresne (MD55) and other expeditions to SE Brazil: the Fissurellidae (Mollusca, Vetigastropoda). Zootaxa, v. 3835, n. 4, p. 437-468, JUL 14 2014. Web of Science Citations: 8.

SALVADOR, RODRIGO B.; SILVA, NILBER G.; CUNHA, CARLO M.; SIMONE, LUIZ R. L.; ALVES, RUY J. V. Rediscovery of living land snails on Trindade Island, Brazil. AMERICAN MALACOLOGICAL BULLETIN, v. 32, n. 1, p. 140-142, FEB 2014. Web of Science Citations: 1.

SIMONE, LUIZ RICARDO L. Taxonomic study on the molluscs collected during the Marion-Dufresne expedition (MD55) off SE Brazil: the Naticidae (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda). ZOOSYSTEMA, v. 36, n. 3, p. 563-593, 2014. Web of Science Citations: 3.

SALVADOR, RODRIGO B.; CUNHA, CARLO M.; SIMONE, LUIZ RICARDO L. Taxonomic revision of the orthalicid land snails (Pulmonata: Stylommatophora) from Trindade Island, Brazil. Journal of Natural History, v. 47, n. 13-14, p. 949-961, APR 1 2013. Web of Science Citations: 7.

ROMERA, BARBARA L. V.; SIMONE, LUIZ R. L.; CUNHA, CARLO M. Redescription and anatomy of Diplodonta portesiana (d'Orbigny, 1846) (Bivalvia, Ungulinidae) from Brazil. ZOOKEYS, n. 275, p. 1-15, 2013. Web of Science Citations: 1.

SIMONE, LUIZ RICARDO L.; CUNHA, CARLO M. Taxonomic study on the molluscs collected in Marion-Dufresne expedition (MD55) to SE Brazil: Xenophoridae, Cypraeoidea, mitriforms and Terebridae (Caenogastropoda). ZOOSYSTEMA, v. 34, n. 4, p. 745-781, 2012. Web of Science Citations: 10.