André P. Amaral

André is a PhD candidate at Palaeo-Evo-Devo group (LMU Munich), Turetzek lab (LMU Munich) and Baranov's lab (EBD-Sevilla). André's research are focused on systematics and evolution of Diptera, mostly Culicomorpha and other non-brachyceran flies. He have been studying the group Corethrellidae for many years, and his masters thesis was on the taxonomy of species from Brazil. He is currently doing his  doctorate at the LMU Munich, with a scholarship by the DAAD, researching the evolution of mouthparts in non-biting midges (Chironomidae). His project will deal with the description of fossil and extant species, phylogenetic reconstruction and the study of the molecular mechanisms related to the development of mouthparts. The aim is to understand the seemingly recurrent appearance of mandibulate representatives of Chironomidae among the vast majority of non-mandibulate species, in distinct lineages throughout the evolutionary tree of the group. With this, he is hoping to be able to answer questions not only about specific aspects of the biology and evolution of the this group, but also broader questions regarding palaeoecology and repeated genetic evolution of body structures. Project jointly supervised by Joachim T. Haug, Viktor Baranov and Natascha Turetzek.

Andre.Amaral(at)campus.lmu.de 

Selected publications

• Amaral, A.P., Mariano, R. and Pinho, L.C., 2023. Description of five new species of frog-biting midges (Diptera, Corethrellidae) from Brazil and examination of new morphological characters with utility for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. European Journal of Taxonomy, 874, pp.1-120.

• Amaral, A.P., Gombos, D., Haug, G.T., Haug, C., Gauweiler, J., Hörnig, M.K. & Haug, J.T. 2023. Expanding the fossil record of soldier fly larvae—An important component of the Cretaceous amber forest. Diversity 15, 247. 

• Amaral, A.P., Bello-González, O.C. & Pinho, L.C. 2021. Corethrella stenostyla sp. n., a new frog-biting midge from Cuba (Diptera: Corethrellidae). Zootaxa 5060, 595–598. [doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5060.4.9]

• Amaral, A.P., Mariano, R. & Pinho, L.C. 2019. Four new species and some new records of Brazilian frog-biting midges (Diptera: Corethrellidae). Zootaxa 4706, 103–120. [doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4706.1.4]

• Ambrozio-Assis, A., Cortês Lopes, B., Amaral, A.P., Pinho, L.C., Peeters, E.T. & Neckel‐Oliveira, S. 2018. Preferences for anuran calls in hematophagous corethrellids (Diptera: Corethrellidae) from Southern Brazil. Austral Entomology 58, 622–628. [doi:10.1111/aen.12376]

• Amaral, A.P., Huerta, H. & Pinho, L.C. 2018. Family Corethrellidae In: Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates. 4 ed.: Elsevier, v.III, 751–753. [ISBN: 9780128042236]

• Pinho, L.C. & Amaral, A.P. 2018. Family Chaoboridae In: Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates. 4 ed.: Elsevier, v.III, 755–757. [ISBN: 9780128042236]

• Amaral, A.P. & Pinho, L.C. 2015. New species and records of frog-biting midges from southern Brazil (Diptera: Corethrellidae). Zootaxa 3946, 274–284. [doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3946.2.9]

Scholarships and Research

• Scholarship: Graduate School Scholarship Programme at Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany. 08/2022–present. Supervisors: Joachim T. Haug, Viktor A. Baranov, Natascha Turetzek. Financer: DAAD

• Scholarship: Masters degree at Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, BA, Brazil. 03/2019–07/2021. Supervisors: Rodolfo Mariano Lopes da Silva, Luiz Carlos de Pinho. Financer: FAPESB

• Research and Outreach: Social and environmental diagnosis for the creation of a Conservation Unit in Vila da Glória municipality of São Francisco do Sul/SC 01/2019–present. Coordinator: Rodrigo A. Mohedano. Financier: São Francisco do Sul City Hall

• Research project: Diversity patterns of the interaction between corethrellids (Diptera) and anurans (Amphibia) along an altitudinal gradient in southern Brazil. 08/2018–present. Coordinator: Luiz C. de Pinho

• Scholarship: Scientific Initiation (20 h/w) 08/2016–07/2017. Project: Biosystematics of Aquatic Insects in the State of Santa Catarina, with emphasis on Chironomidae and Corethrellidae (Insecta: Diptera). Financier: CNPq

• Scholarship: Science Without Borders Program - University of Sheffield, UK 10/2014–07/2015. Supervisor: Michael Siva-Jothy. Financier: CNPq

• Scholarship: Scientific Initiation (20 h/w) 08/2013–07/2014. Project: Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring of São Joaquim National Park, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Financier: CNPq

• Research Project: Aquatic Insects of Serra Furada State Park, SC 03/2013–02/2014. Coordinator: Luiz C. de Pinho. Financier: FAPESC