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Projeto do CEBIMar

Dados do solicitante

Inês Agra Vasconcelos Leal

Natureza do projeto

Projeto de formação discente
Doutorado
Augusto Alberto Valero Flores
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Pesquisadores ou docentes associados

Réjean Tremblay

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Descrição do projeto

Physiological mechanisms underlying recruitment in marine benthic invertebrates: a comparative among polar, temperate and tropical latitudes
12-10-2016
31-07-2018
Several studies have shown that there is extraordinary plasticity during the metamorphic phase of marine invertebrates - invertebrate larvae may postpone metamorphosis until finding a suitable habitat to settle, remaining adrift from weeks to months in the plankton. This phenomenon is termed metamorphosis delay and varies considerably among larvae, both inter- and intra-specifically, being an example of developmental plasticity. Yet, the physiological mechanisms underlying such plasticity are still understudied. Metamorphosis delays may be caused by the absence of specific environmental cues that trigger settlement and metamorphosis into appropriate habitats for juvenile growth and survival. Recent evidence suggests that specific trophic signals trigger settlement and metamorphosis in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis - the trophic settlement trigger hypothesis. In the absence of this specific trophic signal, invertebrate larvae may prolong their planktonic life for variable periods of time. Moreover, the range of factors and inducers that influence recruitment in marine invertebrates vary considerably over space and time. However, a comparative study addressing mechanisms underlying such variability is still lacking; this study aims to fill in this gap.
Recruitment; Chthamalus bisinuatus; Perna perna; Larval physiological quality; Metamorphosis delay; Trophic settlement trigger.
Our hypothesis is that the settlement of marine benthic invertebrates is mainly controlled by dietary essential fatty acids, generally poor year-round in tropical regions comparatively to temperate ones, and available only for a very short period of time in polar regions. This hypothesis will be tested through a comparative study among polar (Nuuk, Greenland), temperate (New Brunswick, Canada) and tropical latitudes (São Paulo, Brazil). Biological models with different developmental strategies with regards to nutrition mode will be used: mussels (planktotrophs) and barnacles (lecitotrophs) at the end of larval phase. Research at CEBIMar will be carried out from October to December, 2016. During this period, we intend to: 1) Characterize the physiological condition of larvae of the mussel Perna perna and the barnacleChthamalus bisinuatus; 2) Estimate metamorphosis delays in young mussel settlers; 3) Determine the settlement success for both species; and 4) Measure key environmental parameters.

During October, November and December 2016, samplings will be carried out daily, at 3 different sites.

Solicitações

Bancada na sala de microscopia do edifício Paulo Sawaya.
Equipamento de refrigeração (-80oC); Balança de precisão; Mufla; Sistema de filtração; Microscópio; Lupa de laboratório.
Mexilhão (Perna perna e Brachidontes solisianus) e craca (Chthamalus bisinuatus)
Praia do Cabelo Gordo; Praia do Segredo; Calhetas.
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- Nada mais -
  • NEC_STRUCT
  • NEC_TECH_SUPP_COLLEC
  • NEC_VESSEL
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