Comparative morphology of specimens of Paulipalpina and other Leiodid beetles from the Field Museum of Natural History: a big step into the understanding of aedagal evolution in Ptomaphagini

• Grant number: 22/10037-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: January 05, 2023
• End date: July 04, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Gnaspini Netto
• Grantee: Eduardo Coutinho Gomyde
• Supervisor: Bruno Augusto Souza de Medeiros
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Field Museum, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/03925-1 - Taxonomic revision of the genus Paulipalpina Gnaspini & Peck 1996 (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Ptomaphagini), BP.MS

Abstract

Studies of fine morphology are essential to increase our understanding of ecology and evolution of very diverse but little-known taxa. One example is the family Leiodidae (Coleoptera) composed of almost 4,400 species that often look superficially similar, resulting in a severely underestimated diversity. The genus Paulipalpina (Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Ptomaphagini) presently includes 16 described Neotropical species, and at least additional 14 undescribed species recognized during my ongoing M.Sc. study. The study of their fine morphology revealed new potential synapomorphies for the genus, including an apical projection of the aedeagus unknown in other ptomaphagines. The aedeagal structures (e.g., the apical projection and the size and shape of the apical dorsal opening) show great phylogenetic potential, as they help to distinguish between species and also to group species. I here apply for a scholarship at the Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH) in Chicago, USA as an important step for my M.Sc. study. This museum houses one of the world's most important collections of leiodid beetles, including types of seven species of Paulipalpina and representatives of several other species of Paulipalpina and related genera. This is to a large extent a result of the work of Dr. Alfred Newton, leading expert on the group and active emeritus curator at the institution. He will work together with newly hired Insects curator Dr. Bruno de Medeiros, expert on beetle systematics and evolution, as supervisor to this project. The proposed visit will provide access to essential material for a successful taxonomic revision of this genus, and to provide a strong basis to understand the evolution of the genital morphology and the evolutionary relationships among the Ptomaphagini genera, including Paulipalpina. (AU)