Copepoda Cyclopoida (Crustacea) associate with macrophytes in ''La Plata'' River Basin (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay): a taxonomic and molecular approach

Abstract

This proposal aims at a comprehensive guide of identification of cyclopoid copepods associated with macrophytes in the floodplain of the "La Plata" River Basin, the second largest one on the continent. This proposal complements the doctoral project of the candidate (Process No. 2008/01507-0), which deals with planktonic copepods taxonomical diversity distribution, and having as one of main product a guide of identification of Calanoida in 2012, after the corrections made in the thesis, the basis of the guide. In this project, we sampled 23 wetlands in the basin (in the arms of rivers and reservoirs), in two different periods (January/February/2010 and June/July/2010). Qualitative samples were collected for taxonomic and molecular purposes among the aquatic macrophytes, and quantitative samples to basic ecological analysis - richness, diversity and abundance. After being screened under a stereomicroscope, the cyclopoids will be identified with specific references, as needed dissected and arranged in an identification guide (due for release in 2013) containing: illustrations done in camera lucida coupled to a phase contrast microscope, and taxonomic keys and diagnoses, general comments, geographical distribution, images of confocal laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Will be carried out national partnerships and collaborations (INPA-AM, UNESP-Botucatu) and international (Senkenberg Institute - Hamburg, Germany; INALI-Santa Fe, Argentina; The Natural History Museum of London, London, England), among these, the solution 5 taxonomic questions (see text) using molecular techniques. It is hoped that the guides are useful for the next 20 years, helping taxonomists and ecologists on the continent. New species can also be described as that performed by the doctoral candidate.