Taxonomy and Systematics

We study the diversity of organisms and their evolution in space and time; the collections are a fundamental basis in this regard. Moreover, we study biogeography and compare the structure and function of organisms, including all structural levels such as genomes, cells, tissues, metabolism, and anatomy/morphology, considering both extant organisms and fossils in the process. Based on these data, we delineate species and explore their internal relationships (among populations or morphs).

On this basis, we further explore the geographic distribution of species and their subunits and search for common patterns. Eventually, we reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among species and group them within higher taxa, and we analyze the evolution of structures and their functions as well as the distributional history of taxa (bio/phylogeography). We use modern and classic methods as appropriate, and much of our research is based on the collections.

With our basic research we provide the knowledge of biodiversity, which we pass on to the scientific community and society, thereby also laying the foundation for all further exploration of biodiversity in Research Fields “Biodiversity and Environment” and “Biodiversity and Climate”. Yet, at all levels we also use the results of our research to develop direct applications. We generate and transfer taxonomic knowledge to the scientific community and society.

Speakers

Dr. Marianna Simões
Head of Section Palaeoentomology, Head of the Messel Branch

Field of specialization

  • Biodiversity, with focus on ecological biogeography
  • systematics and
  • macroevolution

Research Interests

  • Spatial ecology,
  • macroecology,
  • macroevolution and
  • systematics (with emphasis in Coleoptera)

Professional Appointments

2020 – Present
Researcher & Curator of Coleoptera
Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut (SDEI)
2019 – 2020
Lecturer, Researcher & Curator of Neuropteriformia
Universität Hamburg, Zoological Museum, Centrum für Naturkunde (CeNak)
2018 – 2019
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Senckenberg Research Institute and Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
2018
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Staatlisches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Germany
2017
Invited lecturer
Evolution and the History of Life, University of Kansas, USA
2016– 2017
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Human Anatomy, University of Kansas, USA
2007 – 2010
Research & Curatorial Assistant
Museu Nacional-UFRJ, Coleoptera Lab., Brazil

Education

2017 – Ph.D. (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), University of Kansas, U.S.A.
            Advisors: Andrew Short & Andrew Townsend Peterson.

2012 – M.Sc. (Zoology), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
            Advisor: Marcela L. Monné.

2010 – B.Sc. (Biology), Universidade Veiga de Almeida, Brazil.
            Advisor: Marcela L. Monné.

Google Scholar

Research Gate

Publications, Peer-reviewed

Leocádio, M., Simões, M. V. P., Sekerka, L., Schrago, C. G., Mermudes, J. R., & Windsor, D. M. (2020) Molecular systematics reveals the origins of subsociality in tortoise beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). Systematic Entomology.

Simões, M.V.P., Cobos, M., Romero, D., & Jimenez, L. (2020) General Theory and Good Practices in Ecological Niche Modeling: A Basic Guide. Biodiversity Informatics Training Modules.

Saeedi, H., Simões, M.V.P., & Brandt, A. (2020) Biodiversity and distribution patterns of deep-sea fauna along the temperate NW Pacific. Progress of Oceanography. 183, 102296.

Saeedi, H., Simões M.V.P., & Brandt, A. (2019) Endemicity and community composition of marine species along the NW Pacific and the adjacent Arctic Ocean. Progress in Oceanography, 178, 102199.

Biging A.L., Querejeta Coma M., Simões M.V.P., Hawlitschek O. (2019) Évolution climatique et impacts sur les reptiles et amphibiens des Comores [Climate evolution and impact in the reptiles and amphibians of the Comoros]. pp. 50-56 in: Augros S. (e.d): Atlas des reptiles et amphibiens terrestres de l’archipel des Comores [Atlas of the terrestrial reptiles and amphibians of the Comoros Archipelago].Biotope éditions, Mèze, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris (Collection Inventaires & biodiversité), 224 pp.

Bhatta, C., Gonzales, V.H., Mayes, D., Simões, M.V.P., & Smith, D. R. (2019) Nesting biology, niche modelling, and traditional uses of stingless bees in Nepal (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini). Journal of Apicultural Research. DOI: 10.1080/00218839.2019.1614729. *Award winning: Best Dissertation chapter on an International Topic Award 2018 from Phi Beta Delta, Honor Society of International Scholars, Alpha Pi Chapter, University of Kansas.

Simões, M. V.P., & Peterson, A. T. (2018) Importance of biotic predictors in estimation of potential invasive areas: the example of the tortoise beetle Eurypedus nigrosignatus, in Hispaniola (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). Peerj, 6: e6052. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6052.

Cobos, M., Jiménez, L., Nuñes-Penichet, C., Romero-Alvarez, D & Simões, M.V.P. (2018) Sample data and training modules for cleaning biodiversity information. Biodiversity Informatics, 14, 49-50. DOI: 0000-0002-6683-9576

Simões, M. V.P., Baca, S., Toussaint, E., Windsor, D., & Short, A. (2018) Solving a thorny situation: DNA and morphology illuminate the evolution of the leaf beetle tribe Dorynotini (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zly079.

Strotz, L., Simões, M.V.P., Girard, M., Breitkreuz, L., Kimmig, J., & Lieberman, B. Getting (2018) somewhere with the Red Queen: chasing a biologically modern definition of the hypothesis. Biology Letters, 14 (5), 20170734. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0734.

Simões, M. V.P., & Peterson, A. T. (2018) Utility and limitations of climate‐matching approaches in detecting different types of spatial errors in biodiversity data. Insect Conservation and Diversity. DOI: 10.1111/icad.12288.

Ingenloff, K., Hensz, C., Anamza, T., Barve, V., Campbell, L., Cooper, J.C., Komp, E., Jimenez, L., Olson, K.V., Osorio-Olvera, L., Owens, H.L., Peterson, A.T., Sammy, A.M., Simões, M.V.P. & Soberón, J. (2017 ) Predictable invasion dynamics in North American populations of the Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaoto. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 284 (1862), 20171157. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1157.

Simões, M.V.P., Lieberman, B., Soberón, J., & Peterson, A.T. (2017) Testing environmental correlates of clines in clades: An example from Cassidinae beetles. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 10, 472–482. DOI: 10.1111/icad.12250.

Gonzalez, V.H., Griswold, T.L., & Simões, M.V.P. (2017) On the identity of the adventive species of Eufriesea Cockerell in the USA: systematics and potential distribution of the coerulescens species group (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 55, 55–102. DOI: 10.3897/jhr.55.12209.

Simões, M.V.P., Breitkreuz, L., Alvarado, M., Baca, S., Cooper, J.C., Heins, L., Herzog K., & Lieberman, B.S. (2016) The evolving theory of evolutionary radiations. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 31, 27–34. DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2015.10.007

Simões, M.V.P. (2017) Revision of the Greater Antilles genus Paratrikona Spaeth, 1923 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Dorynotini). Zootaxa, 4238, 417–425. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4238.3.8.

Simões, M.V.P., & Sekerka, L. (2015) Review of the Neotropical leaf beetle subgenus Dorynota sensu stricto Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Dorynotini). The Coleopterists Bulletin, 69, 231–254. DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X-69.2.231.

Simões, M.V.P., & Monné, M.L. (2014) Taxonomic revision of the genus Mesomphalia Hope, 1839 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). Zootaxa, 3835, 151–197. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3835.2.1.

Simões, M.V.P. (2014) Taxonomic revision of the genus Paranota Monrós & Viana, 1949 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). The Coleopterists Bulletin, 68, 631–655. DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X-68.4.631.

Simões, M.V.P. & Monné, M.L. (2014) Description of immatures of Mesomphalia gibbosa (Fabricius, 1781) and Mesomphalia turrita (Illiger, 1801) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). Zootaxa, 3861, 466–478. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3861.5.4.

Simões, M.V.P. & Sekerka, L. (2014) Redescription of Heteronychocassis acuticollis Spaeth, 1915 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae). The Coleopterists Bulletin, 68, 407–410. DOI: 10.1649/072.068.0312.

Monné, M.L., Monné, M.A., Quintino, H.Y., Botero, J.P., Machado, V.S., Carelli, A., Simões, M.V.P. & Cupello, M. (2012) Inventário das espécies de Lamiinae (Insecta, Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, RJ, Brasil. Biota Neotropica, 12, 39–76. DOI: /10.1590/S1676-06032012000100004.

Machado, V. S., Botero, J. P., Carelli, A., Cupello, M., Quintino, H. Y. & Simões, M.V.P. (2012) Host plants of Cerambycidae and Vesperidae (Coleptera, Chrysomeloidea) from South America. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 56, 186–198. DOI: 10.1590/S0085-56262012005000029.

Simões, M.V.P. (2012) Male and female reproductive systems of Stolas conspersa (Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 56, 19–22. DOI: 10.1590/S0085-56262012005000007.

Simões, M.V.P. & Monné, M.L. (2012) Inventario das especies de Cassidinae (Insecta, Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro. Biota Neopropica, 11, 216-228. DOI: 10.1590/S1676-06032011000400019.

Monné, M.L., Monné, M.A., Martins, R.S., Simões, M.V.P. & Machado, V.S. (2010) Espécies de Cerambycidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) ocorrentes no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Arquivos do Museu Nacional, 67, 235–251. DOI: 10.1590/S1676-06032009000300027.

Simões, M.V.P. Quintino, H.Y.S. & Monné, M.L. (2009) Larva and pupa of Nilio (Linio) lanatus Germar, 1824 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae). Zootaxa, 2175, 51–56.  ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)/ ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition).

Simões, M.V.P. & Monné, M.L. (2008) New records of South American Cassidinae. Genus, 19, 709–715.

Publications, non-peer reviewed

Warren, D.L., N. Matzke, M. Cardillo, J. Baumgartner, L. Beaumont, N. Huron, M. Simões, and R. Dinnage (2019) ENMTools (Software Package). doi:10.5281/zenodo.3268814.

Saeedi, H., Simões M.V.P. & Brandt, A. (2019) Endemicity and community composition of marine species along the NW Pacific and the adjacent Arctic Ocean. Biodiversity Next. (Extended abstract).

Saeedi, H., Simões, M.V.P. & Brandt, A. (2018) Deep-sea fauna in the NW Pacific: biodiversity patterns and future invasions into the Arctic Ocean (Beneficial Project). Deep-Sea Life, 12.

2011  Simões, M.V.P. Padre Moure and young scientists. Chrysomela, 53: 10.

2009  Machado, V.S., Monné, M.A., & Simões, M.V.P. Composição e riqueza de espécies de Cerambycidae em duas localidades da região Amazônica, Brasil (Insecta, Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). Extended abstract. Anais do IX Congresso de Ecologia do Brasil.

2009  Simões, M.V.P., Monné, M.L., & Machado, V. Inventário de Cassidinae do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, RJ, Brasil (Insecta, Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae). Extended abstract. Anais do IX Congresso de Ecologia do Brasil.

Published, software package

Warren, D.L., N. Matzke, M. Cardillo, J. Baumgartner, L. Beaumont, N. Huron, M. Simões, and R. Dinnage (2019) ENMTools (Software Package). doi:10.5281/zenodo.3268814

Presentation at scientific meetings

Oral Presentations

Simões, M.V.P. (2020) Primary data and Entomological collections: utility, best practices and challenges. FAIR Heritage: Digital Methods, Scholarly Editing and Tools for Cultural and Natural Heritage (Invited speaker) (Tours, France).

Simões, M.V.P. (2020) Ecologia especial e a Entomologia: onde estamos e pra onde vamos? (Invited speaker) (Universidade Fedearl do Parana, Brazil).

Simões, M.V.P. (2019) Systematics Leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomleidae): morphology, behavior and environment. Universität Hamburg, Zoological Museum, Centrum für Naturkunde (CeNak) (Invited speaker) (Hamburg, Germany).

Simões, M.V.P. (2019) Vulnerability of NW Pacific and Arctic Ocean Crustacean fauna under climate change scenarios. The Crustacean Society Mid-Year Meeting 2019. (Hong Kong). 

Simões, M.V.P. (2018) Ecological Niche Modeling: Shall we finally reach a common ground between Elton and Grinnell?  Evolution Meeting in August 2018 (Montpellier, France).

Simões, M.V.P. (2017) Total evidence phylogeny and biogeography of the tortoise beetle tribe Dorynotini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae). The Entomological Society of America 65th Annual Meeting. (Denver, CO, USA).

Simões, M.V.P. (2017) Testing environmental correlates of clines in clades: an example of Cassidinae beetles. University of Kansas, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Student Organization Retreat. (Lawrence, KS, USA).

Simões, M.V.P. (2016) Niche and morphological evolution of tortoise beetle tribe Dorynotini, within the context of geographical radiation (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). XXV International Congress of Entomology. (Orlando, FL, USA).

Simões, M.V.P. (2016) Using hypervolumes to explain morphological latitudinal gradient in tortoise beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Evolution Meeting. (Austin, TX, USA).

Simões, M.V.P. (2015) Phylogeny of the Neotropical leaf beetle tribe Dorynotini Monrós and Viana, 1949 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). The Entomological Society of America 63th Meeting. (Minneapolis, MN, USA).

Simões, M.V.P. (2015) Phylogeny of the Neotropical leaf beetle tribe Dorynotini Monrós and Viana, 1949 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). Bug Lunch. University of Kansas. (Lawrence, KS, USA).

Simões, M.V.P. (2014) Where can I find my beetles? Kansas Entomological Meeting. (Pittsburg, KS, USA).

Simões, M.V.P. (2014) The need for the R function: self-cleaning(data). The Entomological Collections Network. (Minneapolis, MN, USA). (Invited talk).

Simões, M.V.P. (2014) Predicting distributions of tortoise-beetles (Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera) using niche modeling and cost surfaces with remote sensing images. The Entomological Society of America 62nd Meeting (Portland, OR, USA).

Poster Presentations

Leocádio, M, Simões, M.V.P. & Windsor, D. Sekerka, L. (2020)Evolution of parental care in the tribe Mesomphaliini (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). 21st Annual Meeting of the Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik (Society for Biological Systematics, GfBS) (Hamburg, Germany).

Bogdanović, N. & Simões M.V.P.. (2019) Distribution of white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala)and ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaiquencis)under future climate scenarios: potential application for conservation. Deutsche Ornithologen-Gesellschaft e.V.Annual meeting

Simões, M.V.P. & Breitkreuz, L. (2019) Assessing the future of German insect diversity by applying species and community distribution modeling through time and space. 20th Annual Meeting of the Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik (Society for Biological Systematics, GfBS) (Munich, Germany). *Award wining

Simões, M.V.P., Saeedi, H & Brandt, A. (2019) Bottom-up: Exploring climate change effects on habitat suitability for the deep sea fauna of Isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda). International Biogeography Society Meeting. (Malaga, Spain).

Cobos, M, Jiménez, L., Nuñes-Penichet, C., Romero-Alvarez, D & Simões, M.V.P. (2018) Sample data and training modules for cleaning biodiversity information. GIS day. (Lawrence, KS , USA).

Simões, M.V.P. (2013) Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of Paranota Monros & Viana, 1949 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). The Entomological Society of America 61st Meeting. (Austin, TX, USA).

Simões, M.V.P., & Sekerka, L. (2013) Contribución al conocimiento del género Dorynota Chevrolet (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae, Dorynotini): Dorynota s. stricto. LV Convención Nacional de Entomología. (La Molina, Peru).

Simões, M.V.P., Baruch, V.A., & Alvarado, M. (2013) Assessing the environmental differences within Mesomphalia turrita Illiger, 1801 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) distribution. Kansas Entomological Meeting. (Pittsburg, KS, USA).

Simões, M.V.P., & Monné, M.L. (2013) Taxonomic revision of the genus Mesomphalia Hope, 1839 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). Kansas Entomological Meeting. (Pittsburg, KS, USA).

Simões, M.V.P., & Monné, M.L. (2012) Morfologia dos estágios imaturos de Mesomphalia turrita (Insecta, Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae). XXIX Congresso Brasileiro de Zoologia. (Salvador, BA, Brazil).

Simões, M.V.P., & Monné, M.L. (2011) Nuevos registros de distribuición para especies de Mesomphalia Hope, 1839 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae). XXXIII Congreso Nacional de Entomologia / I Congreso Sudamericano de Entomología. (La Serena, Chile).

Machado, V.S., Botero, J.P., Aragão, A., Cupello, M., Quintino, H., & Simões, M.V.P. (2011) Contribuição ao conhecimento de plantas-hospedeiras de Cerambycidae e Vesperidae (Insecta, Coleoptera, Chrysomeloidea) da América do Sul. X Brazilian Congress of Ecology, Sociedade Ecologia do Brasil. (São Lourenço, MG, Brazil).

Simões, M.V.P., & Monné, M.L. (2011) Mesomphalia Hope, 1839: nova espécie e chave para identificação das espécies (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae”. I Entomology Symposium of Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil).

Simões, M.V.P., & Monné, M.L. (2010) Description of the final instar larva of Mesomphalia gibbosa (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae, Stolaini). The 58th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. (San Diego, CA, U.S.A.).

Simões, M.V.P., & Monné, M.L. (2009) Caracterização da fauna de Cassidinae (Insecta, Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, RJ, Brasil. XXXI Giulio Massarani Scientific, Artistic and Cultural Iniciation Journey of the UFRJ, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil).

Machado, V.S., Monné, M.L., & Simões, M.V.P. (2009) Composição e riqueza de espécies de Cerambycidae em duas localidades da região Amazônica, Brasil (Insecta, Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). IX Brazilian Congress of Ecology, Sociedade Ecologia do Brasil. (São Lourenço, MG, Brazil).

Simões, M.V.P., Machado, V.S., & Monné, M.L. (2009) Inventario de Cassidinae do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, RJ, Brasil (Insecta, Coleoptera, Chyrsomelidae). IX Brazilian Congress of Ecology, Sociedade Ecologia do Brasil. (São Lourenço, MG, Brazil).

Simões, M.V.P., Quintino, H.Y., & Monné, M.L. (2008) Descrição da larva e pupa de Nilio lanatus (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Nilioninae). XXII Brazilian Congress of Entomology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa. (Uberlândia, MG, Brazil).

Monné, M.L., Monné, M.A., Martins, R., & Simões, M.V.P. (2008) Fauna de Cerambycidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) ocorrente no estado do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil). XXVII Brazilian Congress of Zoology, Universidade Federal do Paraná. (Curitiba, PR, Brazil).

Simões, M.V.P., & Monné, M.L. (2008) Novos registros para espécies de Cassidinae na América do Sul (Insecta, Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae). XXVII Brazilian Congress of Zoology, Universidade Federal do Paraná. (Curitiba, PR, Brazil).