Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo, SI Pre-Doctoral Fellow
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Research Interests:
My main interests are the systematics, behavior, and evolutionary
biology of insects, especially ants (Formicidae) and parasitic wasps
(Scoliidae). In particular, I am very interested (as part of my graduate
studies) in conducting the systematic revision of the primitive non-leaf-cutting
fungus-growing ant genus Myrmicocrypta, and the construction of coevolutionary
hypotheses including the ants and their symbionts (fungal cultivars,
Escovopsis weed molds, and Pseudonocardia, antibiotic producing bacterial
mutualism). To do so, I am planning to use both morphological and molecular
approaches as well as data obtained from behavior and natural history
to conduct this revision. Taxon sampling will include representative
species from the genera that currently comprises the Attini (Formicidae:
Mymicinae), and representatives from other Myrmicinae tribes, especially
the tribe Blepharidattini (genera Blepharidatta and Wasmannia) which
have been proposed to be the sister group of the attines. Morphological
data will be recorded from all ant castes (gynes, males and workers).
Molecular data will include sequences from nuclear (wingless, 28S-
non-protein coding) and mitochondrial (COI) genes. Mitochondrial COI
gene has proven to be at an appropriate rate of divergence for examination
of species level relationships. If necessary, three more nuclear genes
(EF1-alpha, EF2-alpha, and LwRh OPSIN) would be considered.
I am also currently conducting the world revision of the spider-egg
predator ant genus Discothyrea (Proceratiinae) with Dr. John LaPolla
(Towson University), using both morphological and molecular approaches.
I am also conducting biodiversity studies in Central and South America
in collaboration with Dr. Ted Schultz (NMNH-SI) and Dr. John LaPolla
(Towson University), and comparing the ant fauna in the Guyana Shield
vs. the Amazonian forest to extrapolate patterns of endemism and to
identify areas of conservation concern.
Publications:
Sosa-Calvo, J., S.G. Brady and T.R. Schultz. 2009. The gyne of the enigmatic fungus-farming ant species Mycetosoritis explicata. J. Hymenopt. Res. 18(1): 113-120. 
Azorsa, F. and J. Sosa-Calvo. 2008. Description of a remarkable new species of ant in the genus Daceton Perty (Formicidae: Dacetini) from South America. Zootaxa, 1749: 27-38.
Bolton, B., J. Sosa-Calvo, F. Fernandez, and J.E. Lattke. 2008. New synonyms in neotropical Myrmicine ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa, 1732: 61-64.
Sosa-Calvo, J. and J. T. Longino. 2008. Chapter Seven. Subfamily Proceratiinae. In: Systematics, Biogeography, and Conservation of the hunting ants of Colombia. Jimenez, E., Fernandez, F., Arias, T.M., and Lozano-Zambrano, F.H. (Eds.). 219-238 p. (In Spanish)
LaPolla, J. S., T. Suman, J. Sosa-Calvo, and T. R. Schultz. 2007. Leaf litter ant diversity in Guyana. Biodiversity and Conservation, 16: 491-510.
Sosa-Calvo, J. 2007. Chapter Five. Ants of the leaf-litter of two plateaus in Eastern Suriname. 92-98. In: A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Lely and Nassau Plateaus, Suriname (with additional information on the Brownsberg Plateau). Alonso, L.E. and Mol, J.H. (Eds.) Rapid Assessment Program Bulletin of Biological Assessment 43. Conservation International
Sosa-Calvo, J. and D. F. Campos. 2005. First record of the family
Heloridae
(Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea) for Colombia. Revista de la Sociedad Colombiana
de Entomologia (SOCOLEN) 31: 233- 234. (In Spanish)
Sosa-Calvo, J., S.
Shattuck, and T. R. Schultz. 2006. Dacetine ants of Panama: New records
and description of a new species (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Dacetini).
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 108(4): 814-821.
LaPolla, J. S., & J. Sosa-Calvo. 2006. Review of the ant genus
Rogeria (Hymenoptera:
Formicidae) in Guyana. Zootaxa 1330: 59-68.
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