From morphology to molecular data: a comprehensive taxonomic revision of Alfaria Emery, 1896 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae) using integrative methods

• Grant number: 25/03289-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Gabriela Procópio Camacho
• Grantee: Samara Santos
• Supervisor: Theodore Robert Schultz
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/07490-5 - From morphology to molecular data: a comprehensive taxonomic revision of Alfaria Emery, 1896 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae) using integrative methods, BP.MS

Abstract

The ant genus Alfaria Emery, 1896 is endemic to the Neotropical region, with species exhibiting terrestrial, hypogeic, slow-moving, and timid behaviors. These ants are distributed in South America, Central America and parts of Mexico. Despite its broad range, Alfaria remains a poorly studied group, with nine described species. The last comprehensive review was conducted by Lattke (1992), and since then, only scattered scientific notes on their taxonomy and natural history have been published. Therefore, consolidating and expanding knowledge of this genus is crucial, especially regarding species described from single specimens and those that could potentially comprise complexes of cryptic species. The AntLab at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History (USNM), led by Dr. Ted Schultz, is a reference for phylogenetic studies of ants. A RIA fellowship would offer a valuable opportunity to deepen the theoretical foundations of phylogenetic analyses and the opportunity to examine key specimens, such as the holotype of A. simulans and the rare A. petiscapa.