Taxonomic review and cladistic analysis of Rhopalogaster Maquart, 1834 (Diptera: Asilidae: Laphriinae)

• Grant number: 25/05053-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Carlos José Einicker Lamas
• Grantee: Gabriela Scorpione Nazareno
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The family Asilidae is one of the most diverse within the order Diptera, with around 7,500 known species worldwide. It is currently divided into 14 subfamilies, with Laphriinae being the second most speciose. However, despite the large number of species, many of its genera lack detailed taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. These knowledge gaps are especially pronounced in the Neotropical genera, such as Rhopalogaster Macquart 1834. The genus, described around 200 years ago, has only eight known species. However, the few studies on these asilids are limited to species descriptions and occasional updates on geographic distribution records. Moreover, in most species, only one sex is known. No hypotheses have been made regarding the relationships between the species of Rhopalogaster, despite it being identified as a priority taxon for phylogenetic studies in Asilidae. Therefore, this project aims to carry out a taxonomic review and cladistic analysis of the species of Rhopalogaster, using morphological characters to investigate the true diversity within this genus, test its monophyly, and attempt to understand the evolutionary relationships among its species. (AU)