Deutsch

My research interests are in systematics and evolution of Diptera, mostly Culicomorpha and other non-brachyceran flies. I have been studying the group Corethrellidae for many years, and my masters thesis was on the taxonomy of species from Brazil.

I am currently doing my doctorate at the LMU Munich, with a scholarship by the DAAD, researching the evolution of mouthparts in non-biting midges (Chironomidae). My 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, I hope 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.

Joint project with Viktor Baranov and Natascha Turetzek

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]

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

ORAL PRESENTATIONS:

Amaral, A.P. & Pinho, L.C. Empodia of Corethrella Coquillet (Corethrellidae) and their value for the taxonomy of the family. 10/2018
9th International Congress of Dipterology, Windhoek, Namibia.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS:

Amaral, A.P. & Pinho, L.C. New species and records of Corethrellidae from Brazil. 10/2018.

9th International Congress of Dipterology, 2018,Windhoek, Namibia.

Amaral, A.P. & Pinho, L.C. A new bromelicolous species of frog-biting midge from Southern Brazil (Diptera: Corethrellidae). 03/2015.

III Symposium of Neotropical Aquatic Insects, Ribeirão Preto, BR.

Amaral, A.P., Ambrozio-Assis, A., Neckel-Oliveira, S. & Pinho, L.C. Description of immatures stages of Corethrella alticola Lane, and new records of some frog-biting midges from South Brazil (Diptera: Corethrellidae). 02/2014.

XXX Brazilian Congress of Zoology, RS