Cophylogeny and phylogeography of the termitophilous subtribe Termitogastrina Bernhauer & Scheerpeltz, 1926 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Corotocini) and their termite hosts (Blattodea: Isoptera)

• Grant number: 23/14925-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Sonia Aparecida Casari
• Grantee: Carlos Moreno Pires Silva
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The subtribe Termitogastrina Bernhauer & Scheerpeltz, 1926 is represented by 19 genera and 82 species, all obligate termitophiles, i.e., they live in obligatory symbiosis with termites. A phylogenetic analysis of the subtribe conducted 37 years ago established the current topology of the subtribe within the Corotocini tribe. In this analysis, the authors incorporated biogeographical and cladistic discussions, now reflecting outdated methodological approaches. The present study aims to reconstruct the phylogenetic and co-phylogenetic history of Termitogastrina species and their termite hosts, exploring evolutionary relationships based on molecular and morphological data. Furthermore, a phylogeographic analysis will investigate the temporal and spatial evolution of the group. The results of this project will provide a comprehensive hypothesis regarding the origin, evolution, and diversification of Termitogastrina on a global scale, contributing to a deeper understanding of the interactions between these beetles and their termite hosts.

Scientific publications

(4)

(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)

MORENO, CARLOS. An unusual adult stage: post-imaginal development in a termite-associated rove beetle (Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Corotocini). ZOOMORPHOLOGY, v. 144, n. 1, p. 11-pg., 2025-04-01. (23/14925-8)

MORENO, CARLOS; CASARI, SONIA A.; ZYLA, DAGMARA. New Species and a New Combination in Stenopholea Herman with the First Description of Dolicaonina Larva (Staphylinidae: Paederinae: Paederini). Neotropical Entomology, v. 54, n. 1, p. 20-pg., 2025-02-13. (23/14925-8)

DA SILVA, RUAN FELIPE; CARON, EDILSON; MORENO, CARLOS. Macrotrichurus granzottorum, a new species of termitophilous rove beetle from Brazil (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Termitonannini). Zootaxa, v. 5590, n. 1, p. 16-pg., 2025-02-20. (23/14925-8)

MORENO, CARLOS; NEWTON, ALFRED F.; CASARI, SONIA A.. The larval description of Glyptoma denieri (Bernhauer) from Brazil provides clarification on new status of the subtribe Glyptomina (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Osoriinae). Zootaxa, v. 5620, n. 2, p. 20-pg., 2025-04-09. (23/14925-8)