HERRERA URIA Jane, Cuba

Abstract 1 (adapted from original project proposal)

Viana regina (Morelet, 1849) is an endemic species of western Cuba. It is a very charismatic species due to its characteristic color pattern. According to some authors the genus is monospecific whereby V. regina is made up of three subspecies. The present project aims to revise the taxonomic status of these three subspecies. In a first phase the available literature on this taxon will be assembled and studied. In a next phase, fresh material of the three operational taxonomic units will be collected and studied through comparative anatomy.

Abstract 2 (adapted from original project proposal)

Examination of the literature and the voucher specimens in the collection of the RBINS did not yield a satisfactory resolution on the taxonomic status of the species. Complementary information was obtained through analysis of the 12S, 16S, CO1 and Cyt b genes and this on two out of three form. This project will include also the third subspecies and will yield the needed information to ascertain the taxonomic status of the three forms of V. regina.

Location of training: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels; from 1 to 27 October 2008 and from 5 November to 10 December 2009.

Browse to J. Uria's GTI presentation to learn more about her project.

(Left) Jane Herrera Uria explains her project during a seminar in the RBINS; (right) some GTI & CHM students with some of their taxon-specific tutors  (pictures by M.L. Susini and Y. Samyn)