Marcadores moleculares utilizados em estudos na quiropterofauna (Mammalia: Chiroptera) brasileira

Abstract

The techniques of molecular markers have gained considerable visibility in recent years, assisting various taxonomist researchers in a more coherent classification of living beings, considering the degree of evolutionary relatedness. The application of molecular markers in the research of Chiroptera, which includes bats, proves to be a valuable tool for taxonomic, genetic and ecological studies. The genetic diversity among bat species can be elucidated through the analysis of molecular markers such as mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, allowing a deeper understanding of phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary patterns within this group.The main objective of this research is to compare the main types of molecular markers used in studies on Brazilian chiropterofauna. The specific objectives focus on describing the evolution of the historical process of molecular markers, identifying the main types of molecular markers used in chiropterofauna studies, and characterizing the molecular markers. To achieve the proposed objectives, the present study is characterized as exploratory, qualitative in nature, outlined by bibliographic research, based on previously published research, with keywords such as Molecular Studies, Chiroptera Molecular, Chiroptera Markers, Molecular Bat Identification, Molecular Bats Brazil, Bat Genetics, and Molecular Bats used as filters. Truncation characters, such as asterisks (*), hyphens (-), and quotation marks ("), were also used for better results in searches. The research includes articles, theses, and dissertations from the years 2012 to 2022, limited to studies conducted in Brazil. Despite the vast diversity of bats in Brazil, data on these mammals lack better visibility in the scientific community. With the emergence of molecular marker techniques in conjunction with other areas of study, a tool capable of revealing crucial genetic information for understanding population and evolutionary variability has arisen, going far beyond correct taxidermy in terms of evolutionary relatedness.