Name: Guilherme Sanches Corrêa do Nascimento
Type: PhD thesis
Publication date: 29/06/2023
Advisor:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| Gustavo Rocha Leite | Advisor * |
Examining board:
| Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| Albert David Ditchfield | Internal Alternate * |
| Alexandre Silva de Paula | External Examiner * |
| Ana Carolina Loss Rodrigues | Internal Examiner * |
| Cleber Galvão Ferreira | External Alternate * |
| David Eladio Gorla | External Examiner * |
| Gustavo Rocha Leite | Advisor * |
| Rodrigo Gurgel Gonçalves | External Examiner * |
Summary: The present study utilizes ecological niche models (ENMs) to investigate the historical biogeography of neotropical species. We apply a combination method of variable predictor and Maxent parameters to select ENMs and we deal with strategies to address the challenges associated with exhaustive approaches in model building and evaluation. We base our analyses in neotropical kissing bugs belonging to the Rhodniini tribe Pinto, 1926, which exhibit diverse regional distribution patterns. To explore distribution traits, including time-spatial suitability, we develop binary ENMs and discuss methodological aspects of assessing range shifts. The study is divided into three chapters: Chapter One examines the combination of environmental variable, feature classes, and regularization multipliers, indicating its traits and proposing early strategies to manage the time and hardware-intensive nature of the approach. Chapter Two focuses on the stability of suitable conditions for Rhodniini species since the last glacial maximum, covering three topics: 2.1 Introduces the proposed method to assess the stability of suitable areas for the current distribution across various time scenarios. 2.2 Presents our published article that investigates stability patterns for Rhodnius domesticus. 2.3 Expands the analyses to other Rhodniini species and proposes a new step involving averaging final ENMs. Chapter Three explores the suitable distribution during the Pleistocene and Pliocene for Rhodnius pallescens, Rhodnius neivai, and Rhodnius domesticus. This investigation examines their relationships with speciation events resulting from neotropical geological phenomena, such as the Andean uplift, the Panama Isthmus, and the Acre system. Throughout all chapters, we acknowledge limitations associated with ENMs application and compilation. Nonetheless, we have developed methodological strategies that may prove helpful and emphasize the significant role of climate change in the biogeography of neotropical species.
Keywords: Ecological niche models; Rhodniini; Maxent; Neotropical region; Paleoclimate; Historical biogeography.
