Research Training Program

Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History

PROJECT SUMMARY
1996

Marcelo Duarte da Silva
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
IB / Setor de Ecologia
Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
Robert K. Robbins
Research Scientist
Department of Entomology
"I would really like to come back ten weeks ago to begin doing everything again, because this was one of the best moments in my life. I will always be able to reflect on my participation in the Research Training Program, continuing to realize the unique and invaluable experience I have had at the National Museum of Natural History. "

Systematic position and biology of a threatened Brazilian hairstreak butterfly

ABSTRACT
Many species of butterflies have very precise environmental needs, and a number of recent studies show that they may have considerable value as environmental indicators. However, less than 20% of the neotropical hairstreak butterflies have been subject to any biological study. Cyanophrys bertha Jones, 1912 (Lycaenidae: Theclinae) occurs in the mountains of southern Brazil. This species has been considered threatened, but little is known about its biology and phylogenetic relationships. The purpose of this study was to determine the lineage to which C. bertha belongs. 14 characters were coded, from which the phylogenetic relationship was inferred among C. bertha and its relatives. Through this research it was discovered that C. bertha can be placed in Cyanophrys because it shares two morphological characters that occur in all other Cyanophrys species. These results will contribute to future work on this species.

This research was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee.

Letter of Gratitude