ROJAS RIAÑO Nancy Carolina, Colombia

Abstract (as taken from original proposal)

Polythore is a genus of damselflies from the Neotropical rainforest family Polythoridae which includes 19 species being six of these present in Colombia. Color pattern of the wings is essential in the taxonomy of the genus. However, this and other characters show intraspecific variability being difficult to identify some species accurately. In addition, no phylogenetic analysis of the taxa has been conducted. For these reasons this project proposes a taxonomic and phylogenetic study of species of Polythore where the status of the genus and its species will be studied, the diagnostic value of the currently used characters will be evaluated, and the potential taxonomic value of other morphological characters will be assessed. The project will generate a revision that includes: a detailed evaluation of the taxonomic characters used in the group, a key with illustrations for adults, and a phylogenetic analysis of the species of the genus.

Training location: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels.

Read more on Mrs ROJAS RIAÑO capacity building visit to Belgium in her GTI report

Top: Holotype of Polythore ornata; Bottom: Mrs ROJAS RIAÑO in front of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.