The Higher Level Phylogeny of the Trichoptera (Insecta)

9632879 KJER本研究涉及基于线粒体和核基因组的序列数据对石蛾（昆虫纲：毛翅目）成员之间的更高水平（亚目和科）关系进行分子系统发育分析。 淡水生态学家、行为生物学家、生物多样性倡导者（毛翅目幼虫是经典的水质指标）和历史学家对这组水生昆虫的生殖和进化的知识感兴趣。 特别是，案例的演变和不成熟的撤退行为一直是激烈的争论的中心。 三个相互竞争的假设已经出现了不同的这些特征，在其假定的性格状态同源性和转换系列（TS）的演变。 本次调查提供的分子同源性将被用来测试替代TS，使用字符映射;初步结果表明，一些行为的推定同源性将需要重新评估。这项研究还将解决方法学问题，如加权方案，转换颠换偏置，以及如何将二级结构的关注rRNA分析，这些方法的关注是广泛的兴趣系统社区。 该奖项将有助于支持研究生的现代分子系统分析方法的培训，并提高我们对昆虫生物多样性这一重要因素的认识。 石蛾是淡水生态系统的重要组成部分，其在溪流中的物种组成已被用于评估和监测水质。

9632879 KJER This study involves a molecular phylogenetic analysis of higher level (suborder and family) relationships among members of the caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) based on sequence data from both the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Knowledge of the phylogeny and evolution of this group of aquatic insects is of interest to freshwater ecologists, behavioral biologists, biodiversity advocates (Trichoptera larvae are classic water quality indicators), and historical biogeographers. In particular, the evolution of case and retreat making behavior of the immatures has been the center of spirited debate. Three competing hypotheses have emerged for the evolution of these traits that differ in their presumed character state homologies and transformation series (TS). The molecular phylogeny provided by this investigation will be used to test the alternate TS, using character mapping; preliminary results suggest that putative homologies of some behaviors will need to be reassessed. This research will also address methodological issues such as weighting schemes, Transition-transversion bias, and how to incorporate secondary structure concerns in rRNA analysis; these methodological concerns are of broad interest to the systematic community. This award will help support training of graduate students in modern methods of molecular systematic analysis and enhance our knowledge of this important element of insect biodiversity. Caddisflies are important elements of fresh water ecosystems and their species composition in streams has been used to assess and monitor water quality.