Integrative taxonomy of two highly polytypic thamnophilids (Aves: Thamnophilidae)

• Grant number: 22/13077-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: April 17, 2023
• End date: June 16, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Luís Fábio Silveira
• Grantee: Rafael Dantas Lima
• Supervisor: Robb Brumfield
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Louisiana State University (LSU), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/10339-1 - Integrative taxonomy of two highly polytypic thamnophilids (Aves: Thamnophilidae), BP.MS

Abstract

Accurate species delimitation is essential to a wide range of biological subdisciplines. However, taxonomic knowledge has progressed slowly in the tropics compared to the temperate zone, generating a latitudinal taxonomy gradient with pernicious consequences for our understanding of biological diversity. To mitigate the effects of this artificial gradient, we are conducting an integrative taxonomic revision of two of the most polytypic species in the Neotropical avian family Thamnophilidae. The main objective of this internship project is to allow the student to complete the collection of both the morphological and genetic data sets for his master's project at one of the world's largest and most important collections of South American birds. The internship will also improve the student's knowledge in extracting, sequencing and analyzing historical DNA from museum specimens and promote a strong interaction between him and leading researchers in the field. (AU)