Renato Jose Pires Machado

Evolution of lacewings and allied orders using anchored phylogenomics (Neuroptera, Megaloptera, Raphidioptera)

Analysis of anchored hybrid enrichment (AHE) data under a variety of analytical parameters for a broadly representative sample of taxa (136 species representing all extant families) recovered a well‐resolved and strongly supported tree for the higher phylogeny of Neuropterida that is highly concordant with previous estimates based on DNA sequence data. Important conclusions include: Megaloptera is sister to Neuroptera; Coniopterygidae is sister to all other lacewings; Osmylidae, Nevrorthidae and Sisyridae are recovered as a monophyletic Osmyloidea, and Rhachiberothidae and Berothidae were recovered within a paraphyletic Mantispidae. Contrary to previous studies, Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae were not recovered as sister families and morphological similarities between larvae of both families supporting this assumption are reinterpreted as symplesiomorphies. Relationships among myrmeleontoid families are similar to recent studies except Ithonidae are placed as sister to Nymphidae. Notably, Ascalaphidae render Myrmeleontidae paraphyletic, again calling into question the status of Ascalaphidae as a separate family. Using statistical binning of partitioned loci based on a branch‐length proxy, we found that the diversity of phylogenetic signal across partitions was minimal from the slowest to the fastest evolving loci and varied little over time. Ancestral character‐state reconstruction of the sclerotization of the gular region in the larval head found that although it is present in Coleoptera, Raphidioptera and Megaloptera, it is lost early in lacewing evolution and then regained twice as a nonhomologous gula‐like sclerite in distantly related clades. Reconstruction of the ancestral larval habitat also indicates that the ancestral neuropteridan larva was aquatic, regardless of the assumed condition (i.e., aquatic or terrestrial) of the outgroup (Coleopterida).

New continental record and new species of Austromerope (Mecoptera, Meropeidae) from Brazil

Abstract A new species of Meropeidae (Mecoptera) from Brazil, Austromerope brasiliensis sp. n., is described, representing only the 3rd extant species described in this family and the 1st record of the family from the Neotropical region. The distribution and biogeography of the family are discussed and we propose that Meropeidae originated before continental drift and then divided into two branches, northern and southern, with the breakup of Pangea. Identification keys for the Neotropical families of Mecoptera and for the species of Meropeidae are provided.

A new species of Spiroberotha Adams 1989 (Neuroptera: Berothidae) and the first record of the genus in Brazil

The genus Spiroberotha Adams, 1989 is classified in Berothidae (Neuroptera) with two described species: S. fernandezi Adams, 1989 from Venezuela and S. sanctarosae Adams, 1989 from Colombia, Costa Rica and Venezuela. Here we describe a new species, S. tocantinensis n. sp., from Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. This is the first record of the genus in Brazil, extending its geographical distribution.

Mecoptera (Insecta) do estado do Maranhão: chave para identificação das espécies e descrição da fêmea de Bittacus latreillei(Collucci & Amorim)

Recent field collections in Maranhao state, Brazil, indicate that the mecopterans seem to be abundant in this state. 55 specimens of four species were studied: Bittacus diversinervis Souza Lopes & Mangabeira, 1942, B. femoralis Klug, 1836, B. latreillei (Collucci & Amorim, 2000) and Issikiella araguaiensis Penny & Arias, 1983. Most of the specimens were collected between October and February, the rainy season in Maranhao. An identification key for these species and the description of the female of B. latreillei are presented.

A new species of Trichoscelia Westwood (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from northern South America

A new species of Trichoscelia Westwood (Mantispidae: Symphrasinae) is described herein, T. geraldoi n. sp. This is the 16th species classified within the genus and presents a quite unusual body color pattern for the group. A key for the South American species of Trichoscelia and a checklist of the Symphrasinae species are presented.

New distributional records of Mecoptera (Insecta) from Colombia

We present new distributional records for two Colombian species of Bittacidae. Pazius convolutus Garcia-Garcia & Cadena-Castaneda, 2015 and Bittacus panamensis Byers, 1958 previously known from Cundinamarca department are herein newly recorded from Santander and Magdalena, respectively. In addition, we recorded Bittacus pignatelli Navas, 1932 in Colombia for the first time, increasing the number of species of Mecoptera in the country. Comments about mating behavior of P. convolutus, as well as a distribution map and a check-list of Colombian species of Mecoptera are included.