Macroevolutionary history of beetle-termite associations: a total evidence cophylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of Corotocina Fenyes (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Corotocini) and their hosts, exploring termitophilous most remarkable adaptations

• Grant number: 24/19662-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 29, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Sonia Aparecida Casari
• Grantee: Bruno Zilberman
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The subtribe Corotocina Fenyes comprises 19 genera and 69 species with a pantropical distribution, all of which are obligate termitophiles, primarily associated with termites of the subfamily Nasutitermitinae. The remarkable physogastry and occasional physothoraxy observed in these species, resulting from a puzzling phenomenon of post-imaginal growth, make this group arguably the most specialized among termitophiles. This study aims to reconstruct the cophylogenetic history of Corotocina and their termite hosts, building on an extensive morphological analysis already completed, and incorporating new molecular data to be gathered in this project, resulting in a total-evidence phylogeny for the subtribe. Additionally, this research will include a biogeographic analysis and a bioregionalization of termitophilous species worldwide, derived from the comprehensive termitophilous database presented in my doctoral work. The evolutionary pathways of the most remarkable adaptations to termitophily will be thoroughly explored throughout the project. The most significant discoveries will be promptly followed by an extensive public dissemination effort through various media channels