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Research

DIEGO de S. SOUZA

Entomologist, Ph.D.

current projectS

Phylogenomics of weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Curculionidae, commonly known as weevils, represent one of the most diverse groups in the tree of life, with over 60,000 described species. The vast majority of weevils are phytophagous (plant-feeding), and their incredible diversity is deeply intertwined with the evolutionary history of flowering plants (angiosperms). This intricate relationship has driven remarkable patterns of morphological and behavioral evolution, which lie at the core of my research interests.​ I am using anchored hybrid enrichment (AHE) sequencing to generate high-resolution genomic data to reconstruct the higher-level phylogeny of two distinct subfamilies of weevils: Dryophthorinae, largely specialized on monocots, and Cossoninae, notable for their diverse habitats, broad host plant associations, and unique behaviors such as parental care and harem polygyny. 

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This project is supported by the Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Grainger Bioinformatics Center, and 1K Weevils Project Consortium.

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Bottlebrush weevil, Rhinostomus barbirostris. Photo: Andrés Hernández.

Evolution of twig-girdler longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Onciderini)

Onciderini, one of the largest tribes of flat-faced longhorn beetles (Lamiinae) in the Americas, includes 538 species across 85 genera. Known as twig-girdler beetles, females of some species exhibit branch-girdling behavior for oviposition, a trait that has led several species to be recognized as pests due to their impact on tree growth and crop productivity.​ This project seeks to reconstruct the first comprehensive phylogeny of Onciderini, integrating morphometrics, historical biogeography, and phylogeography to address fundamental questions: when girdling behavior evolved within the tribe; which genera form the true twig-girdler clade; and how morphological and molecular traits have contributed to the pest status of certain species.​ I am also generating the first reference genome for a twig-girdler beetle, Oncideres impluviata, a major pest of Acacia crops in southern Brazil. Using PacBio long-read sequencing and comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses, we aim to uncover the genetic basis of polyphagy and host plant selection in this species. 

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This project is funded by the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation (FAPERJ) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant (Dr. Felix Sperling, University of Alberta, Canada).

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Twig girdled by Oncideres impluviata

Girdling in action by Oncideres sp. Photo: Marcoandré Savaris

Related publications:

  • Souza, D.S., French, R.L.K., Silva Júnior, J.O., Nearns, E.H., Marinoni, L., Monné, M.A., Swift, I.P., Miller, K.B., Sperling, F.A.H., Monné, M.L. 2024. Cutting the sap: first molecular phylogeny of twig-girdler longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Onciderini) suggests shifts in host plant attack behaviors contributed to morphological evolution. Systematic Entomology 2024:1–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/syen.12660

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Molecular systematics and classification of flat-faced longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Lamiinae is the most diverse subfamily of Cerambycidae, having more than 21,000 species distributed in all biogeographical regions. Most suprageneric divisions of Lamiinae were proposed during the 19th century and, until today, very few tribes had their taxonomic limits assessed by phylogenetic approaches. This project aims to use both morphological and molecular characters and phylogenetic approaches to reconstruct a tribal-level phylogeny of Lamiinae and investigate the processes involved in the diversification of the tribes. With this project, we expect to have a strong background to delimit the tribes and address a tribal classification for Lamiinae in which the taxa can be recognized as a reflection of their evolutionary history.

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This project was supported by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation (FAPERJ).

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Phylogeny of Acrocinini

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Related publications:

  • Souza, D.S., Marinoni, L., Monné, M.L., Gómez-Zurita, J. 2020. Molecular phylogenetic assessment of the tribal classification of Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 145: 106736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106736

  • Souza, D. S., Sepúlveda, T.A., Marinoni, L., Monné, M. L. 2020. Phylogenetic analyses provide new insights into systematics of the longhorned beetle tribe Acrocinini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny, 78(1): 17-27. https://doi.org/10.26049/ASP78-1-2020-02

Diversity and taxonomy of longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

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Cerambycidae, or longhorn beetles, is one of the most diverse beetle families, with approximately 38,000 described species. However, this number is a significant underestimate, as many species, particularly from tropical regions, remain undiscovered and undescribed. This project encompasses a range of subprojects aimed at advancing the taxonomy and understanding of Cerambycidae, including:

  • Describing the diversity and biology of the family and addressing classification challenges at the species and genus levels using phylogenetic tools and detailed morphological studies to refine the systematics of the group.

  • Producing inventories and updating species distributions to improve knowledge of the family’s global diversity.

  • Developing identification guides for pest species of Cerambycidae to support pest management efforts.

  • Digitizing and providing access to resources on type material to enhance accessibility for taxonomic and biodiversity research.

Related publications:​​​

  • Souza, D.S., Jorge, I., Marinoni, L. & Sepúlveda, T.A. 2022. Repository Prof. Renato Contin Marinoni: A platform to access images of types of Cerambycidae. https://www.types-rmarinoni.com.br ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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  • ​​​​Souza, D.S., Sepúlveda, T.A., Monné, M.A., Marinoni, L., Monné, M.L. 2023. Molecular and morphological approaches redefine the limits among polymorphic species in the Neotropical longhorn beetle genus, Myzomorphus Sallé (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Prioninae). Zootaxa 5285 (2): 252–270. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5285.2.2

  • Monné, M.L., Monné, M.A., Souza, D.S., Carli, C.S. 2022. New distribution records of Cerambycinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the Brazilian Amazon. Zoologia 39: e22009. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-4689.v39.e22009

  • Souza, D.S., Andriolo, A., Sepúlveda, T.A., Silveira, M.A.P.A. 2021. Unveiling the diversity of longhorn beetles (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) in the Brazilian western Amazonia: a checklist of the Entomological Collection of the Federal University of Rondônia, Brazil. Zootaxa 4981 (2): 201–233. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.2.1

  • Souza, D.S., Lampert, S., Sepúlveda, T.A., Sanz-Veiga, P.A., Savaris, M. 2021. Psyllotoxus griseocinctus Thomson, 1868 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): a potential pest of roses in Brazil. Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences 93(4): e20201976. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202120201976​

  • Silva Jr, J.O., Haseyama, K.L.F., Souza, D.S. 2021. Phylogenetic approach redefines Plistonax (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) with new combinations and a new genus of flat-faced longhorned beetles. Organisms Diversity & Evolution 21: 491–520 https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2021.1914765

  • Souza, D.S., Monné, M.L., Marinoni, L. 2017. Phylogeny of the Neotropical longhorn beetle genus Ateralphus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae). Zoologia 34: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3897/zoologia.34.e11996

  • Souza, D.S. 2016. A new species of Colobothea Lepeletier & Audinet-Serville, 1825 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) from Ecuador. Zootaxa 4161: 129–132. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4161.1.8

Systematics and evolution of cactus flies (Diptera: Neriidae)

Neriidae is a small family of acalyptrate flies commonly found in all continents. With this project, we aim to propose a comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis for the family. We are also reviewing the taxonomy of all valid species of Neriidae, updating the keys for identification and the known geographical distribution of its genera.

 

This project is led by Dr. Tatiana Sepúlveda. To find further information about this project, please visit our website Neriidae.com.

Related publications:

  • Sepúlveda, T.A., Souza, D.S., Echeverry, A., Marinoni, L., de Carvalho, C.J.B. 2020. Revalidation and taxonomic revision of Teloneria Aczél (Diptera, Neriidae), with description of two new species. European Journal of Taxonomy, in press. 

  • Sepúlveda, T.A., Echeverry, A., Souza, D.S. 2020. New species of Chaetonerius Hendel (Diptera: Neriidae) and key for identification of the Neriidae of Tanzania. Zootaxa 4755: 190–194. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4755.1.12

  • Sepúlveda, T.A., Souza, D.S. 2019. A new species of Chaetonerius Hendel (Diptera: Neriidae) from Northeast Madagascar. Zootaxa 4656: 389–392. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4656.2.12

  • Sepúlveda, T.A., Souza, D.S., Gomes, L.R.P., Fogaça, J.M., de Carvalho, C.J.B. 2019. The Neriidae (Diptera) of Southeast Asia: A taxonomic revision of the genus Telostylus. European Journal of Entomology 116: 281–301. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2019.032

  • Sepúlveda, T.A., Souza, D.S. 2019. Taxonomy and phylogeny of the Eoneria-group (Diptera, Neriidae). Insect Systematics & Evolution 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1163/1876312X-00002305​

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© 2020

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