Integrative taxonomy of Paraleptynia Caudell, 1904 (Insecta: Phasmatodea, Heteronemiidae): study of morphology, molecular analysis and natural history.

• Grant number: 23/00858-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Eliana Marques Cancello
• Grantee: Phillip Watzke Engelking
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Stick insects are a mesodiverse lineage of terrestrial herbivorous insects with a predominantly tropical distribution, grouped in the order Phasmatodea. Paraleptynia Caudell, 1904 (Heteronemiidae) is represented by four wingless species, all from South America. Based on a preliminary analysis of the described species and of materials available in the entomological collections of the Zoology Museum of the University of São Paulo (MZUSP), of the Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" (ESALQ), of the National Museum of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ), the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and the National Museum of Natural History of Paraguay (MNHNP), I observed morphological similarities of Paraleptynia species with representatives of two different families (Phasmatidae and Heteronemiidae). Therefore, there are indications that Paraleptynia is currently represented by two different lineages of Phasmatodea whose external morphology of adults is similar. To test the hypothesis raised, I intend to carry out an integrative taxonomy of Paraleptynia, promoting a review of the group and an update of its scientific knowledge, as well as the comparison with the type species of the genera Cladoxerus Fargeau & Serville, 1828 (Phasmatidae), and Heteronemia Gray , 1835 (Heteronemiidae). Paraleptynia is poorly defined and lacks both taxonomic revision and more detailed morphological characterizations, as well as efforts to know its real diversity. In addition, there is no information about biology, nor molecular data of the kind. Thus, this study aims to taxonomically review Paraleptynia; characterize their representatives in relation to external morphology, internal genitalia, eggs and immatures; sequence stretches of cytochrome c oxidase I and II genes (COI and COII) to help with species delimitation; describe possible new species; study the biology of species and carry out scientific dissemination actions through the publication of photographs and texts on social networks.