Cophylogeny and phylogeography of the termitophilous subtribe Termitogastrina Bernhauer & Scheerpeltz, 1926 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Corotocini) and their termite hosts (Blattodea: Isoptera)

• Grant number: 25/17123-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: March 20, 2026
• End date: March 19, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Sonia Aparecida Casari
• Grantee: Carlos Moreno Pires Silva
• Supervisor: Dagmara Zyla
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Leibniz Institute For The Analysis Of Biodiversity Change, Hamburg, Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/14925-8 - Cophylogeny and phylogeography of the termitophilous subtribe Termitogastrina Bernhauer & Scheerpeltz, 1926 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Corotocini) and their termite hosts (Blattodea: Isoptera), BP.DR

Abstract

The subtribe Termitogastrina Bernhauer & Scheerpeltz, 1926 comprises 19 genera and 82 described species, all of which are obligate termitophiles-symbiotic beetles that live exclusively within termite colonies. The only phylogenetic hypothesis for the group was proposed 39 years ago, relying on now-outdated cladistic and biogeographic methods. This project aims to reconstruct the phylogenetic and cophylogenetic history of Termitogastrina and their termite hosts by integrating molecular and morphological data. Additionally, a phylogeographic approach will be employed to investigate the temporal and spatial patterns of diversification across different biogeographic regions. Identifying the primary drivers behind the evolution, diversification, and distribution of this group is crucial to understanding the evolution of such symbiotic relationships. The expected outcomes include the first robust phylogenetic hypothesis for the subtribe, novel sequence data from Neotropical and Afrotropical species, insights into patterns of coevolution and host specificity, and a deeper understanding of the historical biogeography of this highly specialized group. Ultimately, this research will provide a comprehensive hypothesis on the origin, diversification, and evolutionary relationships of Termitogastrina on a global scale, shedding new light on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of termite-beetle associations.