Systematics of Stick insects (Insecta: Phasmatodea), with focus on the American clade Occidophasmata

• Grant number: 23/11684-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Guilherme Cunha Ribeiro
• Grantee: Victor Morais Ghirotto
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Stick insects comprise a diverse order of large insects that are highly adapted to camouflage. While attention to this group has increased in recent years, there are still numerous gaps in knowledge concerning the taxonomy, biology, morphology, and phylogenetic relationships of stick insects. Notably, the male genitalia, which are widely used in the taxonomy of various insect groups, remain largely neglected in research on these insects. Additionally, there are few morphological phylogenies that address the order. Phylogenetic research primarily focuses on molecular studies, which have provided insights into some questions about intraordinal relationships. However, these studies have also left other questions unanswered, mainly because of the limited taxon sampling from African and Neotropical regions and the lack of knowledge about apomorphies for several groups identified in recent phylogenies. Large groups have been proposed, such as Occidophasmata and Oriophasmata, which include almost all representatives of the order. Additionally, many families have been identified as artificial groups. Several proposed clades, including those mentioned above, lack apomorphies or even a proper diagnosis. The present project aims to address these issues by proposing a phylogenetic study based on morphological characters of the order. This study will include a more comprehensive morphological assessment of the order, explore little-studied characters, and place particular emphasis on Neotropical groups. These groups have been significantly underrepresented in molecular phylogenies up to this point.