Temporal morphological variation of natural and clonal testate amoeba (Arcella vulgaris and Arcella gibbosa) lineages

Abstract

The proposed project compares the morphometric variability of a microbial eukaryote in a natural environment and clonal cultures. We will examine 12 distinct lineages from a single morphospecies collected from a lake at Universidade de São Paulo, in two different moments of the year. The morphometric variability in microorganisms is used as a taxonomic character, however, there is reason to believe that the intra-clonal morphometric variation can be much greater than previously thought. Consequently, understanding the phenotypic plasticity among and between lineages will make enable improved taxonomic resolution and ecological interpretations. Additionally, the cultures will be maintained for at least one year, to verify if the variability range will modify by selection effects. (AU)