A taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of Philopota Wiedemann, 1830 (Diptera, Acroceridae)

• Grant number: 09/03932-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2009
• End date: September 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Silvio Shigueo Nihei
• Grantee: Jéssica Paula Gillung
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Acroceridae is a small group of flies with about 520 described species and 51 genera. The species occur in all Biogeographycal Regions and are especially abundant in tropical areas. The larvae are spiders endoparasitoids and the adults of some species are flower visitors, while others have underdeveloped or even absent mouthparts and do not feed. Acroceridae comprises three subfamilies: Acrocerinae, Panopinae e Philopotinae. Within Philopotinae are included Philopota Wiedemann, a neotropical genus that contains the most abundant species in Brazil. Philopota is also the most richest neotropical genus, containing 17 described species, which are important flower visitors. However, the real diversity of Philopota is still unknown, due to the poor taxonomic knowledge of the group. Therefore, taxonomic studies are necessary and important, because they are the basis for other studies. A cladistic analysis is also important and urgent as a method for the reconstruction of the relationships among the species. For these reasons, in this project we will focus on the taxonomic and phylogenetic aspects of Philopota. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GILLUNG, JESSICA P.; NIHEI, SILVIO S.. Evolution of Philopotinae, with a revision and phylogeny of the New World spider fly genus Philopota Wiedemann (Diptera, Acroceridae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, v. 176, n. 4, p. 707-780, APR 2016. (09/03932-6, 13/05131-6)

GILLUNG, JESSICA P.; NIHEI, SILVIO S.. Evolution of Philopotinae, with a revision and phylogeny of the New World spider fly genus Philopota Wiedemann (Diptera, Acroceridae). ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, v. 176, n. 4, p. 74-pg., 2016-04-01. (13/05131-6, 09/03932-6)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

GILLUNG, Jéssica Paula. Taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of Philopota Wiedemann (Diptera, Acroceridae). 2011. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB) São Paulo.