Comparative morphology of androconial organs and species delimitation in Cisthene Walker (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini, Cisthenina)

• Grant number: 24/15063-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Simeão de Souza Moraes
• Grantee: Aisla Alves da Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/02524-3 - Exploring the evolutionary history of lichen moths through an integrated approach (Lepidoptera: Lithosiini), AP.JP

Abstract

Lithosiini, also known as lichen moths, is a tribe of Arctiinae moths. Lichen moths are and quite diverse in the Neotropical region. In Brazil, 212 species distributed in 52 genera are recorded. This lineage stands out for secondary compounds sequestration present in lichens. However, the scarcity of specialists and taxonomic studies prevents topics such as evolution and ecology from being addressed in a coherent manner. Given the importance of morphology for taxonomic and systematic studies, a comparative morphology study of androconial organs in a species complex group currently listed in the genus Cisthene Walker is proposed, to determine whether the anatomical differences and the position of androconial organs can be used as an attribute in the identification and delimitation of species.