Species-Level Systematics and Phylogeny of Pseudomyrmecine Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

DEB 9903650沃德大学加州这个项目是关于提高我们对蚂蚁（膜翅目：蚁科）的认识和理解，蚂蚁是一组具有重要生态意义的昆虫，具有丰富的行为和生物多样性。 该项目的重点是蚂蚁系统学和分类，即，新物种的发现和描述，提供识别码，以及阐明物种间的系统发育关系。 这是通过实地考察，形态学研究和分子数据（DNA序列）分析相结合来实现的。 大部分的研究是针对蚂蚁属Pseudomyrmex，这是一个大的和成功的组在新世界热带地区。 这些蚂蚁物种中的许多都与专门的热带树木发展了互利的关系：植物为蚂蚁提供筑巢场所，作为回报，蚂蚁通过巡逻植物和刺痛入侵者来保护宿主植物免受食草动物的侵害。 其中一种蚂蚁Pseudomyrmex triplarinus的刺腺毒液已被证明对治疗类风湿性关节炎有效。对这些蚂蚁进行改进的分类将有助于我们了解它们的生物学重要特征。 例如，在蚂蚁与植物的互惠关系中，我们可以回答这样的问题：蚂蚁与植物的密切关系进化了多少次？是什么因素促成了这种关系的发展？ 植物保护蚂蚁有什么特殊的特性，这些特性是否可以用来保护对人类有价值的植物？ 关于这些蚂蚁用于治疗医学疾病的可能性，可靠的分类学和系统发育学允许更准确地预测哪些物种是调查的目标。 最后，对这些蚂蚁进行了改进的分类，使它们能够与鸟类和蝴蝶等其他生物一起沿着作为“指示类群”，提供有关环境健康的信息。 这些蚂蚁物种中的许多只出现在热带雨林中。 蚂蚁物种多样性的丧失将不会被发现，除非我们能够真正识别和认识单个物种。

DEB 9903650WardUniv. CaliforniaThis project is concerned with improving our knowledge and understanding of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a group of insects that is ecologically important, and rich in behavioral and biological diversity. The focus of this project is on ant systematics and classification, i.e., the discovery and description of new species, the provision of identification keys, and the elucidation of the phylogenetic relationships among species. This is achieved through a combination of fieldwork, morphological study, and analysis of molecular data (DNA sequences). Most of the research is targeted on the ant genus Pseudomyrmex, which is a large and successful group in the New World tropics. Many of these ant species have developed mutually beneficial associations with specialized tropical trees: the plants provide nesting sites for the ants, and in return the ants protect their host plant from herbivores by patrolling the plant and stinging intruders. The sting gland venom of one species, Pseudomyrmex triplarinus, has proved efficacious in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.An improved classification of these ants will help us to understand important features about their biology. For example, in the realm of ant/plant mutualisms, we can address such questions as: How many times have ants evolved close associations with plants? What factors predispose the development of such relationships? What are the special characteristics of plant-protecting ants, and can these qualities be exploited for the protection of plants valuable to man? With respect to the possible use of these ants for treatment of medical ailments, a reliable taxonomy and phylogeny allows more accurate prediction about which species to target for investigation. Finally, an improved taxonomy of these ants permits them to be used, along with other organisms such as birds and butterflies, as "indicator taxa" that provide information about the health of the environment. Many of these ant species occur only in tropical rainforests. Loss of ant species diversity will go undetected unless we can actually identify and recognize the individual species.