Variation in tymbal morphology and ultrasound frequency produced by diurnal and nocturnal lichen moths (Lepidoptera, Erebiidae, Arctiinae: Lithosiini)

• Grant number: 25/01454-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Simeão de Souza Moraes
• Grantee: Andreia Lorrane Silva Dantas
• 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 is a moth tribe belonging to the subfamily Arctiinae and quite diverse in the Neotropical region. In Brazil in Brasil there are records for 212 species distributed in 52 genera. This lineage stands out for sequestration of secondary compounds present in lichens and for interspecific interactions with bats through ultrasound. However, the scarcity of experts working with Lithosiini prevents non-trivial topics to be investigated, such as evolutionary and ecological studies. Considering the morphological variation of the tymbal, a sound producing organ, and its ecological importance in the predator-prey interaction between bats and moths, this work will perform a comparative study on morphology, to investigate the phenotypic plasticity of Tymbal organ in lichen moths with different habits (diurnal and nocturnal), and the variation of the ultrasound produced to determine whether these variations are correlated with the different habits of the moths. To this end, we will carry out comparative morphology studies using scanning electron microscopy and micro-CT to access the morphology of tymbal organs and field experiments to record and analyse the ultrasound produced by liquen moths.