Cladistic and biogeographic analysis of Huascaromusca Townsend, 1918 (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae)

• Grant number: 12/09256-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: September 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos José Einicker Lamas
• Grantee: Priscylla Moll de Arruda
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/16525-5 - Cladistic and biogeographic analyses of Huascaromusca Townsend, 1918 (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellinae), BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Calliphoridae is a family of the calyptrate dipterans, characterized mainly by a metallic color all over the body or in part of it. The family comprises five subfamilies, which includes Mesembrinellinae. This subfamily is composed by exclusively Neotropical species that inhabit tropical moist forests, and are easily characterized by a yellowish-brown color of the thorax and a metallic color of the abdomen. There are about 30 recognized species and its positioning within Calliphoridae has been generating frequent discussions in the literature, with the proposal of a family status by some authors. This scenario is possibly a reflection of the huge necessity of more detailed phylogenetic studies for the group. Among the nine genera comprising Mesembrinellinae, Huascaromusca is historically the most neglected genus. This work will be an important contribution for its systematics and biogeography. Huascaromusca includes eight species, distributed in six countries all over the Neotropical Region, from Brazil to Costa Rica. Nevertheless, among these countries, some locations are not well sampled and there are gaps of geographical distribution for these species. These gaps may reflect the poor knowledge of the group. The present work aims to infer the phylogenetic relationships of these species and, with the phylogeny generated, to perform a biogeographical study.

Academic Publications

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

ARRUDA, Priscylla Moll de. Cladistic and biogeographic analysis of Mesenbrinellidae (Diptera, Oestroidea). 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB) São Paulo.