The explanatory power of the female: Phylogenomics of Cosmetidae (Opiliones: Gonyleptoidea) integrating ultraconserved elements and morphology, including ovipositor information.

• Grant number: 24/14143-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Pinto da Rocha
• Grantee: Conchita Alexandra Pinzón Morales
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cosmetidae is the most diverse family of Neotropical opiliones; however, the resolution of its phylogenetic relationships is unsatisfactory. The main difficulty lies in understanding the boundaries between taxa, which have been largely obscured by traditional classification systems, where multiple superficial characters were used to establish subfamilies and genera. Although Cosmetidae has been the focus of recent phylogenetic analyses at the subfamily and family levels, few groups have been studied, and the resolution of relationships within the family lacks broad taxonomic coverage. Morphological characters and traditionally used gene sequences (e.g., COI, 28S, 18S) have not been sufficiently explanatory when used alone or in combination. New morphological features, such as the genital morphology of males, have been explored to resolve the classification of groups. However, potentially informative structures like the ovipositor have been extensively neglected and only recently have been studied from a comparative perspective. More robust molecular tools have been necessary to resolve phylogenetic relationships in diverse and understudied groups. In this regard, the use of ultraconserved element sequences could clarify the relationships and classification of Cosmetidae at the subfamily level. The present project will develop a phylogenomic analysis of Cosmetidae based on ultraconserved region sequences, integrating morphological characters and, for the first time, the ovipositor.