The Phylogenetic System of the Vespidae: The Polistinae (Hymenoptera)

纸蜂是胡蜂科中的一个热带类群，它们的社会行为和复杂的筑巢结构一直是人们研究的对象。詹姆士·卡彭特博士提出了一项关于虎杖属群物种进化和分类的分析。这项研究将结合电子显微镜、幼虫形态和筑巢结构揭示的成虫特征。数据分析的新方法将导致该集团进化关系的重建。还将编制分类检索表和识别指南。纸蜂的进化分类将产生超出分类学专家范围的影响。卡彭特博士建议构建一个框架，在这个框架上可以测试各种行为、生物地理学和功能假说。这项研究将为一系列不同的比较研究项目打开大门。

Paper wasps are a diverse tropical group within the family Vespidae, and their social behavior and complicated nest architecture have been the subjects of considerable study. Dr. James Carpenter proposes an analysis of the evolution and classification of the species in the Polybia genus-group. The study will use a combination of adult characters revealed by electron microscopy, larval morphology, and nest architecture. New approaches to data analysis will result in a reconstruction of the group's evolutionary relationships. Taxonomic keys and guides to identification will also be produced. An evolutionary classification of the paper wasps would have impact beyond the confines of taxonomic specialists. Dr. Carpenter proposes to construct the framework on which a variety of behavioral, biogeographic, and functional hypotheses can be tested. This study will open the door to a diverse array of comparative research projects.