Phylogenomic species delimitation and mosaic evolution in the genus Hylomyrma Forel, 1912: revealing species and understanding morphological novelties from museum collections material using ultraconserved elements

Abstract

Hylomyrma, a Neotropical ant genus that includes 31 species, represents a challenge to systematics. The traditional approach that brings together alpha taxonomy and morphological phylogeny has left some questions unanswered due to the existence of mosaic specimens and complexes of cryptic species within the genus. Thus, in order to understand better the speciation, the arisal of morphological novelties, and the evolution of the genus Hylomyrma as a whole, I am submitting this postdoctoral research proposal in collaboration with Dra. Corrie S. Moreau. The research will be carried out at the Cornell University, on Moreau Lab. We will use cutting-edge technology and next-generation sequencing approach to achieve our goals. One of it, as important as Hylomyrma systematic, is testing which fungal decontamination protocol for MZUSP collections material maintains the DNA integrity. This investigation will contribute to my postdoctoral project (FAPESP 2018/11453-0) as it is inserted in a context of a FAPESP Thematic Project called "Collect, identify, process, diffuse: the curatorial cycle and the production of knowledge". Also, this goal is especially relevant in the scenario where habitat destruction, species loss and funding contingency for science make museum collections the main sources of data. (AU)