Investigation of Noctuoid Moth Phylogeny Using Molecules and Morphology

WPC 2 B V P Z快递10cpi？X，k x 6 X@8；X@HP LaserJet(25合一，网络)HPLase II PRS x@，t 0 OPX@2 2@Z CPI 3|x Sj x 6 X@8；X@HP DeskJet 500 HPDES500.PRS x@x X，，0 FX@2，F P#|x 9306755 Weller拟议的研究将使用分子和形态特征来解决最大的蛾总科之一(已描述的50,000种)夜蛾总科成员之间的更高级别的关系。夜蛾总科包括几个众所周知的类群，如吉普赛蛾、虎蛾、毛熊和地老虎蛾。尽管虎蛾具有有趣的生物学特征(例如，虎蛾的拟态、发声)以及它们作为害虫的明显经济重要性，但关于这些蛾的关系的几个问题仍然没有解决。问题的核心在于地老虎蛾；目前还不清楚目前是否有一个、两个或几个不相关的类群被归入夜蛾科。该项目将结合分子，即对一个核(28B RRNA)和两个编码线粒体(ND1，COI)的蛋白质基因进行测序，所有这些基因最初都作为独立的数据集进行分析，并在总体证据分析中使用形态数据。产生的进化树将被用来研究特定蛋白质是如何进化的，以及目前的蛋白质进化模型是否得到了这项实证研究的支持。解剖特征(形态)和分子(基因序列)都将被用来研究夜蛾总科的高级亲缘关系(系统发育)。包括在这一大型(50,000种)蛾类群中的是几个众所周知的类群，许多以毛虫为主要害虫而臭名昭著(例如，吉普赛蛾、虎蛾、毛熊和地老虎蛾)。从这种对更高级别的类群关系的研究中，一个更稳定的分类结果应该会反过来促进未来对这些蛾的基础和应用研究。此外，该项目还将研究主要蛾类之间的蛋白质序列差异，以了解蛋白质本身是如何随着时间的推移而变化的。这些信息将为那些对构建蛋白质变化模型感兴趣的人提供基线数据。

WPC 2 B V P Z Courier 10cpi ? x x x , k x 6 X @ 8 ; X @ HP Laserjet (25-in-one, Network) HPLASEII.PRS x @ , t 0 OpX @ 2 2 @ Z cpi 3| x Sj x 6 X @ 8 ; X @ HP DeskJet 500 HPDES500.PRS x @ x X , , 0 FX @ 2 , F P #| x 9306755 Weller The proposed research will use both molecular and morphological characters to address higher level relationships among members of one of the largest moth superfamilies (50,000 described species), the Noctuoidea. The Noctuoidea includes several well known groups such as the gypsy moths, tiger moths and woolly bears, and cutworm moths. Despite possession of interesting biological features (e.g. mimicry, sound production in tiger moths) and their obvious economic importance as pests, several points concerning relationships of these moths remain unresolved. The heart of the problem lies with the cutworm moths; at this time, it is not clear whether there is one, two, or several unrelated groups currently lumped into the family Noctuidae. This project will combine molecular i.e. sequencing one nuclear (28B rRNA) and two protein coding mitochondrial (ND1, COI) genes, all initially analyzed as independent data sets with morphological data in a total evidence analysis. The evolutionary trees produced will be used to address how the particular proteins evolved and if current models of protein evolution are supported by this empirical study. %%% Both anatomical features (morphology) and molecules (gene sequences) will be used to address the higher relationships (phylogeny) of the moth superfamily Noctuoidea. Included in this large (50,000 species) group of moths that will be the subject of this study ar e several well known groups, many with caterpillars notorious as major insect pests (e.g. gypsy moths, tiger moths and woolly bears, and cutworm moths). From this study of higher level group relationships, a more stable classification should result that, in turn, will promote future basic and applied research with these moths. In addition, the project will examine how protein sequences differ among the major moth groups to learn how the proteins themselves have changed over time. This information will provide baseline data for those interested in constructing models of protein change.