DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Systematics and Diversification of the Aderidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea): Elucidating the Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism

论文研究：昆虫科（鞘翅目：拟昆虫总科）的系统学和多样化：阐明两性二态性的进化

• 批准号: 1311549
• 负责人: Kipling Will
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: University of California-Berkeley
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-06-01 至 2015-11-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1311549&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Systematics; Diversification; Aderidae

The Aderidae is a moderately diverse beetle family containing 1,200 species that inhabit all continents except Antarctica and are currently classified into 45 genera. Aderidae also has a rich fossil record in Baltic, Dominican, Mexican, and Lebanese amber inclusions. Many species exhibit varying degrees of sexual dimorphism, several inhabit cave systems, and some are social parasites of termites. This study will be the first to investigate evolutionary relationships within this family using modern molecular systematic methods. This project specifically emphasizes currently under-utilized morphological imaging methods. The morphological data from these fossil specimens will be evaluated and included in analyses in order to examine the historical timing of evolutionary events, such as the evolution of sexual dimorphism.This project will produce a revised classification for the Aderidae in addition to the discovery and description of extant and fossil species. The complete integration of data from extant and fossil specimens makes this an exemplar multi-disciplinary study that will investigate the diversification of these beetles within a temporal framework. Results from this research will be broadly disseminated through presentations at research conferences and local science cafés to promote scientific awareness in the community.

甲虫科是一个中等多样性的甲虫科，包含 1,200 种，分布在除南极洲以外的所有大陆，目前分为 45 个属，在波罗的海、多米尼加、墨西哥和黎巴嫩也有丰富的化石记录，许多物种都表现出不同程度的琥珀内含物。性别二态性，一些栖息在洞穴系统中，有些是白蚁的社会寄生虫。这项研究将是第一个利用现代分子系统研究该科内部进化关系的研究。该项目特别强调目前未充分利用的形态学成像方法，这些化石标本的形态学数据将被评估并纳入分析，以检查进化事件的历史时间，例如两性二态性的进化。除了对现存和化石物种的发现和描述之外，还对昆虫科进行了修订的分类。来自现存和化石标本的数据的完整整合使这项研究成为调查这些甲虫多样化的典型多学科研究。这项研究的结果将通过在研究会议和当地科学咖啡馆的演讲来广泛传播，以提高社区的科学意识。