Evolutionary divergence of the tarantula genus Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892 (Theraphosidae, Mygalomorphae): a multilocus targeting approach

• Grant number: 25/12730-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: August 22, 2025
• End date: December 21, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Domingos Brescovit
• Grantee: Arthur Galleti Lima
• Supervisor: Nelson Edgardo Ferretti
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Centro De Recursos Naturales Renovables De La Zona Semiárida, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/06108-2 - Evolution and Biogeographic diversification processes of Neotropical tarantulas (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae), BP.PD

Abstract

Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892 is a tarantula genus with 22 species found in the Brazilian biomes Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest and Amazonia, as well as Argentinean Sub Andean Yungas and inter-Andean dry forest of Peru. The most recent morphological phylogenetic analyses revealed it species in a politomy, with some of them divided into three groups, but their relationships remain unclear. In recent decades, molecular techniques have proven effective in elucidating internal relationships among numerous non-model groups, although they typically necessitate fresh samples. This BEPE project focuses on three primary objectives to examine the evolutionary relationships within Tmesiphantes: (1) gather fresh samples from Andean regions of Argentina and Peru; (2) implement a multilocus target strategy to investigate the boundaries and phylogenetic relationships of Tmesiphantes species; and (3) infer diversification through molecular dating of Tmesiphantes species. Assessing these foreign species and elucidating the relationships and diversification processes within this genus are essential for comprehending the real composition and true position of Tmesiphantes in the Theraphosinae phylogeny. These data will be incorporated into a major phylogenetic study underway involving several tarantula genera from the subfamily Theraphosinae. Furthermore, the knowledge gained will strengthen and broaden molecular and biogeographic methodologies, as well as provide new information about the biogeographic aspects of Andean fauna. This will also encourage new research on the subject and assist with training of human resources, mainly at the Butantan Institute.