South American Plecoptera (Insecta): documenting the diversity and integrating morphological and molecular data

Abstract

The objective of this project is to contribute to a better taxonomic and systematic knowledge of the order Plecoptera from South America, especially from Brazil. In order to achieve this objective, specimens will be collected in different regions of South America, which will serve as the basis for taxonomic and systematic studies. As specific objectives, we have: 1) to describe new species and document new geographic occurrences; 2) to obtain DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and evaluate intra and interspecific variability for Plecoptera species; 3) to relate males, females and nymphs using COI sequences; 4) to describe the associated immature stages; and 5) to propose phylogenies for some Plecoptera groups (e.g. Kempnyia). This project will continue the coordinator's research line, will have the collaboration of national and international researchers, and will involve the participation of undergraduate and graduate students. (AU)