Diego de S. Souza
Research

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, and their incredible diversity is deeply intertwined with the evolutionary history of flowering plants. This intricate relationship has driven remarkable patterns of morphological and behavioral evolution that lie at the core of my research interests. I am using anchored hybrid enrichment (AHE) sequencing to generate high-resolution genomic data and reconstruct the higher-level phylogeny of two subfamilies of weevils: Dryophthorinae, largely specialized on monocots, and Cossoninae, notable for their diverse habitats, broad host-plant associations, and unusual behaviors such as parental care and harem polygyny.

Supported by the Negaunee Integrative Research Center, the Grainger Bioinformatics Center, and the 1K Weevils Project Consortium.

Bottlebrush weevil, Rhinostomus barbirostris
Bottlebrush weevil, Rhinostomus barbirostris. Photo: Andrés Hernåndez.

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 girdle branches for oviposition — a trait that has led several species to be recognized as pests for their impact on tree growth and crop productivity. This project reconstructs the first comprehensive phylogeny of Onciderini, integrating morphometrics, historical biogeography, and phylogeography to address when girdling behavior evolved, which genera form the true twig-girdler clade, and how morphological and molecular traits have contributed to pest status. 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 to uncover the genetic basis of polyphagy and host-plant selection.

Twig girdled by Oncideres impluviata
Twig girdled by Oncideres impluviata.
Girdling in action by Oncideres sp.
Girdling in action by Oncideres sp. Photo: Marcoandré Savaris.

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).

Related publication

  • Souza, D.S., French, R.L.K., Silva JĂșnior, J.O., Nearns, E.H., Marinoni, L., MonnĂ©, M.A., Swift, I.P., Miller, K.B., Sperling, F.A.H., MonnĂ©, M.L. 2024. Cutting the sap: first molecular phylogeny of twig-girdler longhorn beetles (Onciderini) suggests shifts in host-plant attack behaviors contributed to morphological evolution. Systematic Entomology. DOI

Molecular systematics and classification of flat-faced longhorn beetles (Lamiinae)

Lamiinae is the most diverse subfamily of Cerambycidae, with more than 21,000 species across all biogeographical regions. Most suprageneric divisions of Lamiinae were proposed in the 19th century, and very few tribes have had their limits assessed phylogenetically. This project combines morphological and molecular characters to reconstruct a tribal-level phylogeny of Lamiinae and investigate the processes driving tribal diversification, building a framework in which tribes can be recognized as a reflection of their evolutionary history — including a dedicated phylogeny of the tribe Acrocinini.

Examples of Lamiinae diversity

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

Related publications

  • Souza, D.S., Marinoni, L., MonnĂ©, M.L., GĂłmez-Zurita, J. 2020. Molecular phylogenetic assessment of the tribal classification of Lamiinae. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 145: 106736. DOI
  • Souza, D.S., SepĂșlveda, T.A., Marinoni, L., MonnĂ©, M.L. 2020. Phylogenetic analyses provide new insights into systematics of the tribe Acrocinini. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 78(1): 17–27. DOI

Diversity and taxonomy of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae)

Cerambycidae, or longhorn beetles, is one of the most diverse beetle families, with about 38,000 described species — a significant underestimate, as many tropical species remain undescribed. This umbrella project advances the taxonomy and understanding of the family through several lines of work: describing diversity and biology and resolving classification challenges with phylogenetic tools and detailed morphology; producing inventories and updating species distributions; developing identification guides for pest species; and digitizing type material to broaden access for taxonomic and biodiversity research.

Repository Prof. Renato Contin Marinoni
Repository Prof. Renato Contin Marinoni — type images of Cerambycidae (view site).

Selected related publications

  • Souza, D.S., Jorge, I., Marinoni, L., SepĂșlveda, T.A. 2022. Repository Prof. Renato Contin Marinoni: a platform to access images of types of Cerambycidae. LINK
  • Souza, D.S., SepĂșlveda, T.A., MonnĂ©, M.A., Marinoni, L., MonnĂ©, M.L. 2023. Molecular and morphological approaches redefine limits among polymorphic species in Myzomorphus (Prioninae). Zootaxa 5285(2): 252–270. DOI
  • Souza, D.S., Andriolo, A., SepĂșlveda, T.A., Silveira, M.A.P.A. 2021. Unveiling the diversity of longhorn beetles in the Brazilian western Amazonia. Zootaxa 4981(2): 201–233. DOI
  • Souza, D.S., MonnĂ©, M.L., Marinoni, L. 2017. Phylogeny of the Neotropical longhorn beetle genus Ateralphus. Zoologia 34: 1–11. DOI

Systematics and evolution of cactus flies (Diptera: Neriidae)

Neriidae is a small family of acalyptrate flies found on all continents. This project proposes a comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis for the family while revising the taxonomy of all valid species, updating identification keys and the known distributions of its genera. The project is led by Dr. Tatiana SepĂșlveda; further information is available at Neriidae.com.

Nipponerius, a neriid fly Plate of Neriidae specimens

Selected related publications

  • SepĂșlveda, T.A., Souza, D.S., Echeverry, A., Marinoni, L., de Carvalho, C.J.B. 2020. Revalidation and taxonomic revision of Teloneria (Neriidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 717: 70–89. DOI
  • SepĂșlveda, T.A., Souza, D.S., Gomes, L.R.P., Fogaça, J.M., de Carvalho, C.J.B. 2019. The Neriidae of Southeast Asia: a revision of Telostylus. European Journal of Entomology 116: 281–301. DOI
  • SepĂșlveda, T.A., Souza, D.S. 2019. Taxonomy and phylogeny of the Eoneria-group (Neriidae). Insect Systematics & Evolution. DOI