Taxonomic revision of the genus Paulipalpina Gnaspini & Peck, 1996 (Leiodidae: Cholevinae) with notes on aedeagal evolution in Ptomaphagini

Author(s)

Eduardo Coutinho Gomyde

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2024-06-27

Examining board members

Pedro Gnaspini Netto; Gabriel Biffi; Fernando Zagury Vaz de Mello

• Advisor: Pedro Gnaspini Netto

Abstract

Along four chapters, this work investigates the evolution and morphological transformation of the genitalia, particularly the aedeagus, in the tribe Ptomaphagini (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae), ending with a taxonomic revision of the genus Paulipalpina Gnaspini & Peck, 1996, the original target of this dissertation. The first chapter deals with the fine morphology analysis of the aedeagus among the different genera in the tribe Ptomaphagini, including both the subtribes Ptomaphagina and Ptomaphaginina. Whenever possible, the analyses were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM); not only the overall shape but also structures and conditions such as the shape and position of the genital opening, asymmetry of the lobes, ligula, among others, were compared to analyze how such structures change intergenerically and how understanding these modifications can help us comprehend the relationships among the genera of Ptomaphagini. The second chapter focuses on the revision of two South American genera of the tribe Ptomaphagini: Amplexella Gnaspini, 1996, and Peckena Gnaspini, 1996, with an emphasis on the analysis of genital morphology under SEM; this chapter also describes the second species of the genus Peckena Gnaspini, 1996, previously known only from Peru, now with a species described for southeastern Brazil. In the third chapter, a new structure present in the aedeagi of species of the genera Parapaulipalpina Gnaspini, 1996 and Paulipalpina Gnaspini & Peck, 1996 is described; this structure, here named paralobe, is synapomorphic for these two genera, helping to resolve a persistent phylogenetic problem; moreover, the shape of this structure varies considerably at the interspecific level within the genus Paulipalpina Gnaspini & Peck, 1996, making it the best structure for identifying and differentiating species within the genus, as well as allowing the recognition of potential series of modifications that can help grouping the species within the genus. Finally, the fourth chapter provides a taxonomic revision of the genus Paulipalpina Gnaspini & Peck, 1996, with the redescription of the 16 previously described species of the genus along with the description of 17 new species; a proposal for grouping species into five distinct species groups is also presented, which may facilitate the understanding of interspecific relationships within the genus. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/03925-1 - Taxonomic revision of the genus Paulipalpina Gnaspini & Peck 1996 (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Ptomaphagini)
• Grantee: Eduardo Coutinho Gomyde
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master