Uncovering the evolution of South American Perlidae (Insecta: Plecoptera): The mysterious case of the Anacroneuriini

• Grant number: 25/04564-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Pitágoras da Conceição Bispo
• Grantee: Lucas Henrique de Almeida
• Supervisor: Jessica Ware
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: American Museum of Natural History, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/04798-3 - Kempnyia Klapálek, 1914 (Plecoptera: Perlidae): phylogeny, species delimitation and adult-nymph association using molecular tools, BP.PD

Abstract

Plecoptera, commonly known as stoneflies, are aquatic insects that inhabit lotic environments with clean, cold, and well-oxygenated waters, being highly sensitive to environmental impacts. The degradation of watersheds, the loss of riparian vegetation, and the effects of climate change threaten these species, particularly in South America, where knowledge about their diversity remains limited. With this project, I aim to fill scientific gaps by proposing the first molecular phylogeny to include and investigate the relationships among South American taxa of the family Perlidae. My specific goals are to test the status and monophyly of the tribe Anacroneuriini, establish phylogenetic relationships among its genera and potential morphological synapomorphies of the recovered groups. I will use specimens from the "Prof. Dr. Cláudio Gilberto Froehlich" Aquatic Insect Collection (Brazil) and the American Museum of Natural History (United States), combining molecular data generated through anchored hybrid enrichment (AHE) with phylogenetic reconstruction methodologies using IQ-TREE, ASTRAL, and BEAST softwares. This investigation seeks not only to enhance the understanding of perlid evolution but also helping to provide essential insights for the conservation of the studied groups, especially in the context of climate change. The partnership between two Plecoptera specialists and the use of innovative approaches position this project as a critical contribution to the study of aquatic insect biodiversity, particularly Plecoptera, in South America.