Integrating taxonomic knowledge to assess the phylogeny of the Subulitermes-group (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) from the Neotropical Region

• Grant number: 13/05610-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Eliana Marques Cancello
• Grantee: Adriana Carolina Cuezzo
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Isoptera is composed entirely by eusocial insects, about 2880 living species were described worldwide. In the last decades classifications were reassessed with new methodologies and a broad set of morphological characters, molecular characters, or the combination of both types of evidence. However, evolutionary relationships at the infra-family level are still quite unclear. The genera recognized within the Subulitermes group (Termitidae, Nasutitermtinae) are an example of this. Currently, there are 22 genera described in the Subulitermes group, 12 occurring in the Neotropical region, two in the Australian and eight in the Ethiopian. Nevertheless, the monophyly and the evolutionary relationships among taxa of the Subulitermes group have not yet been studied in detail. The aim of this project is to test the monophyly of the Subulitermes group and to infer the evolutionary relationships among the genera. In specific, to test the monophyly of the Neotropical genera Araujotermes, Atlantitermes and Subulitermes, by using a broad set of morphological characters and the cladistic methodology. Trying to define in a better way the limits among the taxa currently recognized in the Subulitermes group, the current taxonomic uncertainties would be resolved and identifications keys would be provide. Once finished this research, it is expected that the evolutionary relationships among Neotropical genera and species of the Subulitermes group will be better understood, leading to more stable classifications. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(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)

CARRIJO, TIAGO F.; CUEZZO, CAROLINA; SANTOS, RAFAELLA G.. Tiunatermes mariuzani gen. nov et sp nov., a new nasute termite from the Brazilian savannah (Isoptera: Termitidae). AUSTRAL ENTOMOLOGY, v. 54, n. 4, p. 358-365, NOV 2015. (13/03767-0, 13/05610-1)

CUEZZO, CAROLINA; CARRIJO, TIAGO F.; CANCELLO, ELIANA M.. Transfer of two species from Nasutitermes Dudley to Cortaritermes Mathews (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). AUSTRAL ENTOMOLOGY, v. 54, n. 2, p. 172-179, MAY 2015. (10/08260-3, 13/03767-0, 13/05610-1)

ROCHA, MAURICIO MARTINS; CUEZZO, CAROLINA. Gut anatomy of the worker caste of Neotropical genera Cylindrotermes Holmgren and Hoplotermes Light (Infraorder Isoptera, Termitidae). Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, v. 63, n. 3, p. 268-274, JUL-SEP 2019. (13/05610-1)

CUEZZO, CAROLINA; CANCELLO, ELIANA M.; CARRIJO, TIAGO F.. Sandsitermes gen. nov., a new nasute termite genus from South America (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae). Zootaxa, v. 4221, n. 5, p. 562-574, JAN 20 2017. (10/08260-3, 13/05610-1, 13/03767-0)

ROCHA, MAURICIO M.; MORALES-CORREA E CASTRO, ADRIANA C.; CUEZZO, CAROLINA; CANCELLO, ELIANA M.. Phylogenetic reconstruction of Syntermitinae (Isoptera, Termitidae) based on morphological and molecular data. PLoS One, v. 12, n. 3, MAR 22 2017. (13/05610-1, 12/00952-9, 13/20068-9)

ROCHA, M. M.; CUEZZO, C.. Redescription of the Monotypic Neotropical Genus Crepititermes Emerson (Termitidae: Termitinae). Neotropical Entomology, v. 44, n. 5, p. 457-465, OCT 2015. (13/05610-1, 12/00952-9)