The taxonomic status of the sergestid shrimp Acetes americanus is uncertain for several decades and no study has been conducted for this species to date. This shrimp has a wide geographical distribution in the western Atlantic and it is represented by two subspecies, Acetes americanus carolinae (distributed in North America) and Acetes americanus americanus (distributed in South America). However, both subspecies occur in regions of the Central America and northern South America. The molecular tools have shown to be essential to elucidate the taxonomic status of the species. Moreover, the combination of morphological and molecular studies is extremely important to analyze the population structure. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare genetically individuals of Acetes a. americanus (collected in South America) with samples of Acetes a. carolinae (collected in North America), as well as analyze individuals of both subspecies in regions where they have the same occurrence. Additionally, the possible existence of more than one population of A. americanus will be investigated in the Brazilian coast by morphometric and molecular approaches. Sequences of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) will be analyzed in 6 individuals per collection site. For the morphometry analysis, 30 specimens of each sex per collection site will be analyzed by 14 morphometric measurements. Thus, a more detailed study using the morphology and genetics of A. americanus will be valuable to elucidate the taxonomic status and population structure of this species.
News published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the scholarship: