Multiple Nuclear Genes for Lepidopteran Phylogenetics

9509174登记该项目将继续努力对编码核基因的蛋白质进行测序，这些基因将提供有关蚕总科(昆虫纲：鳞翅目)、蚕蛾及其近亲之间更高级别的关系的信息。出于他们自己的目的，他们正在利用序列信息来阐明天蚕科(鹰蛾和角虫，如烟草角虫)大家族中的亚科关系，并解决土星亚科两个部落(巨型蚕蛾，如露娜蛾、角蛾等)，即阿塔基尼和土星的属属关系。在这个过程中，他们正在克隆鳞翅目昆虫的新基因序列，这些基因应该对关注分子系统发育分析的广泛研究人员有用。鳞翅目昆虫，包括蝴蝶、跳虫和飞蛾。虽然这些昆虫的成虫包括许多令人赏心悦目的成员，受到收藏家的追捧，但幼虫或未成熟的形式远不是令人满意的生物。许多农作物、木材、储藏品甚至我们的衣物的严重害虫都是鳞翅目幼虫。该项目将提供关于鳞翅目主要类群之间关系的信息。这些信息可能有助于检验有关寄主植物用途或关联性变化的假说，有助于解释害虫是如何起源的。它将通过允许对模型和模拟系统的起源、寄主植物专一性等进行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.. ***