Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: ANANDA CAROLINA SEREJO SARAIVA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : ANANDA CAROLINA SEREJO SARAIVA
DATE: 11/06/2025
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Google Meet
TITLE:

Integrative taxonomy of Loricariinae Catfishes in the Coastal Draingaes of Northeastern Brazil

KEY WORDS:

Neotropical, Species delimitation, DNA barcode, Morphometrics, Integrative taxonomy, Systematics

PAGES: 107
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Zoologia
SUBÁREA: Taxonomia dos Grupos Recentes
SUMMARY:

The subfamily Loricariinae is the second most diverse group within the family Loricariidae. It is found across all drainage basins in the Neotropical region. The diversity of Loricariinae catfishes in the coastal drainages of northeastern Brazil has historically been underestimated, with uncertain records and problematic identifications, especially within the most species-rich genera, Loricaria and Loricariichthys. In this study, an integrative approach was adopted, combining morphological, morphometric, meristic, and molecular data (mitochondrial gene cox1) to revise the taxonomy and delimit the species of these two genera across three ecoregions in the Northeast. More than 160 specimens of Loricaria and 230 of Loricariichthys from eight hydrographic basins, ranging from Maranhão to Rio Grande do Norte, were analyzed. The analyses revealed multiple distinct evolutionary lineages, including cryptic species, especially among individuals previously assigned to Loricariichthys derbyi and L. platymetopon. Four different species delimitation methods were employed, all indicating an underestimated diversity within the group. The study also proposed redescriptions and the description of new species, contributing to the systematics and conservation of Loricariinae in the region. The results of this thesis highlight a significant underestimation of Loricariinae diversity in northeastern Brazil and demonstrate the power of integrative taxonomy in resolving species complexes. Furthermore, the findings have important implications for the historical biogeography of coastal drainages, suggesting hydrographic isolation and vicariance events as key mechanisms driving local diversification. From a conservation perspective, the recognition of endemic and potentially threatened lineages underscores the urgency of reassessing the conservation status of the species involved, considering the increasing impacts on the region's aquatic ecosystems.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externa à Instituição - MÔNICA DE TOLEDO PIZZA RAGAZZO - USP
Externo à Instituição - ROBERTO ESSER DOS REIS - PUCRS
Presidente - 1865104 - SERGIO MAIA QUEIROZ LIMA