Cladistic analysis of Phthiriinae Becker, 1913 (Diptera, Bombyliidae)

• Grant number: 14/06618-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2014
• End date: November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Carlos José Einicker Lamas
• Grantee: Carolina Yamaguchi
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/01374-0 - Cladistic analysis of Phthriiinae Becker, 1913 (Diptera, Bombyliidae), BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The Bombyliidae constitutes one of the largest family of Diptera, with approximately 4500 species known worldwide. Additionally, this is the group of flies with the largest representativeness in desertic regions of the Earth. The adults are nectar feeders, which make then the major pollinators of many flowering plants. Immatures are poorly known as a whole. Currently the Bombyliidae are divided into 16 subfamilies and 18 tribes. The subfamily Phthiriinae comprises ten genera, divided into two tribes: Phthiriini Becker, 1913, encompasses six genera: Acreotrichus Macquart, 1850, Australiphthiria Evenhuis, 1986, Pygocona Hull, 1973, Acreophthiria Evenhuis, 1986, Neacreotrichus Cockerell, 1917 and Phthiria Meigen, 1820, and Poecilognathini Evenhuis, 1986 encompasses four genera: Euryphthiria Evenhuis, 1986, Relictiphthiria Evenhuis, 1986, Poecilognathus Jaennicke, 1867 e Tmemophlebia Evenhuis, 1986. The two tribes have a total of 115 species described worldwide and are present in all biogeographic regions of the Earth. This project has the main goal to contribute for comprehension of the evolutionary pattern in Bombyliidae, performing a phylogenetic analysis of Phthiriinae based on morphological characters. Specifically, this research aims to realize a comparative study of external morphology of Phthiriinae, test the monophyly of the subfamily, tribes and included genera, propose a new classification for the subfamily and also delimit the species with sexual dimorphism based on molecular and morphological features. The reconstruction of evolutionary relationships of the subfamily may provide an understanding of innumerous evolutionary characters with biological relevance, which will provide solid base for future studies about diversity, biogeographic and conservation of Bombyliidae. (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)

YAMAGUCHI, CAROLINA; EINICKER LAMAS, CARLOS JOSE. The discovery of a second species of Mallophthiria Edwards (Diptera, Bombyliidae, Crocidiinae) from Chile. Zootaxa, v. 3900, n. 1, p. 141-149, DEC 19 2014. (14/06618-9)

YAMAGUCHI, CAROLINA; LAMAS, CARLOS JOSE E.; EVENHUIS, NEAL L.. A new Neotropical genus of bee flies (Diptera, Bombyliidae, Phthiriinae). Zootaxa, v. 4363, n. 4, p. 521-534, DEC 13 2017. (16/01374-0, 14/06618-9)

Academic Publications

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

YAMAGUCHI, Carolina. Cladistic analysis of Phthiriinae Becker, 1913 (Diptera, Bombyliidae). 2018. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB) São Paulo.