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Evaluation of the specific limits of Phoenicoprocta vacillans (Walker, 1856) (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae)

Grant number: 13/20659-7
Support Opportunities:Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
Start date: February 01, 2014
End date: January 31, 2017
Field of knowledge:Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
Principal Investigator:Marcelo Duarte da Silva
Grantee:Lívia Rodrigues Pinheiro
Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The genus Phoenicoprocta Druce, 1898 was established to accommodate P. metachrysea Druce, 1898, junior subjective synonym of P vacillans (Walker, 1856). It currently comprises 20 species, with distributions varying from endemic (to Caribbean, Mexico and moist forests from Central America) to widespread (from Mexico to Northern Argentina). This genus is known for presenting one of the most remarkable phenotypic variation found in Euchromiina - it was observed that adults from the same offspring presented multiple phenotypes, for both males and females, some of them being previously described as different species, sometimes even in other genera. Among these, the type species of Phoenicoprocta and its older synonym. This species currently counts with 15 synonyms, 13 being names described from males, and three from females. However, some of these names were synonymized taking into account the extreme variability found in this species, but not with any explicit criterion. I found out during my master's that some of these synonyms are geographically restricted. There are also subtle variation in both external and genitalic morphology, what render it necessary to investigate the validity of these synonyms. Therefore, this project revise the specific limits of Phoenicoprocta vaciilans, investigating the validity of its already established synonyms, and examining the possible existence of others, yet to be made, through the use of morphological and molecular methods.

News published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the scholarship:
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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)
PINHEIRO, LIVIA R.; ARAUJO JUNIOR, ELIAS C.. Taxonomic notes and a new species of Episcepsis Butler, 1877 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini, Ctenuchina). Zootaxa, v. 4365, n. 2, p. 231-240, . (13/20659-7, 09/11159-5, 12/02444-0, 16/16185-8)