Multiple Nuclear Genes for Lepidopteran Phylogenetics

该项目将继续研究人员对编码核基因的蛋白质进行测序，这将为蚕科（昆虫纲：鳞翅目）、蚕蛾及其近亲之间的高级关系提供信息。为了他们自己的目的，他们正在利用序列信息来阐明蛛科大家族（鹰蛾和角虫，如烟草角虫）的亚科关系，并解决土星科（巨型蚕蛾，如月蛾，cercropia蛾等）两个部落，Attacini和Saturniini之间的一般关系。在这个过程中，他们正在克隆鳞翅目的新基因序列，这些基因应该对广泛关注分子系统发育分析的研究人员有用。鳞翅目昆虫，包括蝴蝶、跳蝇和飞蛾。虽然这些昆虫的成虫包括许多受收藏家追捧的美观的成员，但幼虫或未成熟的形式是不太理想的生物。许多农作物、木材、储藏产品甚至我们的衣服上的严重害虫都是鳞翅目的幼虫。本项目将提供鳞翅目主要类群的关系信息。这些信息对于检验关于寄主植物利用或关联变化的假设，以及解释害虫如何起源的努力具有价值。它将通过允许对模型和模拟系统的起源，寄主植物特异性等的假设检验来加强其他研究领域。* * *

9509174 REGIER This project will continue the efforts of the investigators to sequence protein encoding nuclear genes that will be informative about higher level relationships primarily among members of the superfamily Bombycoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera), the silkmoths and their relatives. For their own purposes they are utilizing the sequence information to elucidate subfamily relationships in the large family Sphingidae (hawk moths and hornworms, such as the tobacco hornworm) and to resolve generic relationships within two tribes of Saturniinae (the giant silkmoths, such as the luna moth, cercropia moth, etc.), the Attacini and the Saturniini. In the process they are cloning Lepidoptera sequence for new genes that should be of utility to a broad community of researchers concerned with molecular phylogenetic analysis. %%% The insect order Lepidoptera, includes the butterflies, skippers, and moths. While adults of these insects include many aesthetically pleasing members sought after by collectors, the larvae or immature forms are much less desirable creatures. Many serious pests of crops, timber, stored products and even our clothing are Lepidoptera larvae. This project will provide information on relationships of major groups of Lepidoptera. Such information can be of value in testing hypotheses about changes in host plant use or associations, in efforts to explain how pests originate. It will enhance other research areas by allowing hypothesis testing about origins of model and mimic systems, host plant specificity, etc.. ***