Genetic and morphological species delimitation in a Caribbean endemic praying mantis genus Callimantis Stal, 1877

The monotypic praying mantis genus Callimantis, characterized by small size and colorful wings, exhibits morphological variation and habitat mobility. The genus is endemic to the Greater Antilles, Caribbean and has received little taxonomic or ecological attention. We have gathered hundreds of museum specimens and new field samples from Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Based on male genitalic dissections and preliminary genetic sequence data, we found evidence for new species diversity within and between islands across the known range for the genus. We have developed new morphological characters from genitalic and external features that will aide in species delimitation and phylogenetic reconstruction. We have begun additional thorough field sampling to gather genetic quality exemplars from across the distributional range for the genus to test for new diversity, reconstruct a robust phylogeny, and test biogeographic history. We will leverage this robust distributional and genetic sampling to assess measures of biodiversity and endemism in a phylogenetic context and develop the group as a flagship organism for conservation efforts in the Caribbean.

See more of: 21 - Graduate Ten-Minute Paper Competition: SysEB - Systematics and Taxonomy
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