Phylogeny of the Genera of Entomobryidae (Collembola)Based on Nuclear DNA Sequences and Morphology

Deb-0075548 Dr.菲利普·索托-亚当斯博士。佛蒙特大学的菲利佩·索托-亚当斯获得了一笔拨款，用于研究一种极不寻常的昆虫--弹尾目(弹尾目，非昆虫六足类)的进化。昆虫科是跳虫科中最大的一科，占该纲描述的所有种类的21%。该科在世界范围内分布广泛，在一些热带环境中，物种和个体的数量超过了所有其他类群。尽管有这种多样性，但在阐明它们的进化关系方面所做的工作相对较少。该项目的目的是利用结合DNA序列和形态的数据集，首次全面评估昆虫科各属之间的系统发育关系。由此产生的系统发育将实现三个目标：澄清三个最大的属群之间的关系；检验先前关于Paronellidae具有多系统起源的假设；以及为未来的研究提供必要的系统发育框架，试图确定有助于该科成功多样化的因素。将对昆虫科的所有属进行检查，以完成它们的形态描述。由于形态特征本身可能不能解决某些关系，这个数据集将与来自两个核基因的DNA序列互补。伸长因子1-α(EF1-a)和核糖体的小亚基(18S)是非常保守的基因，即使对单个跳虫来说，也可以通过聚合酶链式反应进行快速和一致的扩增，其中一些跳虫的长度不超过0.8 mm。尽管它们的序列高度保守，但对初步数据的分析表明，结合形态学，这些基因可以在亚家族水平上解决关系。解决昆虫科各属之间长期存在的关系问题将导致更稳定的分类，比目前的系统具有更强的预测能力。此外，索托-亚当斯博士还将更新互联网上已有的昆虫科各属的检索表。鉴于最近越来越多地使用弹尾目动物作为土壤健康的指标，这一关键字将对农业昆虫学家来说是一个极好的帮助。土壤生物学家也将受益于分类的澄清。

DEB-0075548Dr. Felipe Soto-AdamesDr. Felipe Soto-Adames at the University of Vermont has received a grant to study the evolution of a highly unusual group of insects known as springtails (Collembola, non-insect hexapods). Entomobryidae is the largest family of springtails accounting for 21% of all species described in the class. The family has a world wide distribution and in some tropical settings surpasses all other groups in number of species and individuals. Despite this diversity relatively little work has been done to elucidate their evolutionary relationships. This project is aimed at providing the first comprehensive estimate of phylogenetic relationships among genera of Entomobryidae using a data set that combines DNA sequences and morphology. The resulting phylogeny will accomplish three objectives: clarify relationships among the three largest groups of genera; test previous hypotheses suggesting a polyphyletic origin for Paronellidae; and provide amuch needed phylogenetic framework for future studies attempting to identify factors contributing to the successful diversification of this family. All genera of Entomobryidae will be examined to complete their morphological descriptions. Because morphological characters alone may not resolve some relationships, this data set will be complemented with DNA sequences from two nuclear genes. Elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-a) and the small subunit of the ribosome (18S) are very conserved genes which allow rapid and consistent amplification via the polymerase chain reaction even for single individual springtails, some of which are 0.8mm long or less. Despite their high degree of sequence conservation analysis of preliminary data shows that in combination with morphology these genes can resolve relationships at the subfamily level. Resolution of the long standing problems of relationships among genera of Entomobryidae will result in a more stable classification, with more predictive power than the current system. In addition, Dr. Soto-Adames will update the key to genera of Entomobryidae already available in the internet. This key will be an excellent aid for agricultural entomologists given the recent increased use of Collembola as indicators of soil health. Soil biologists will also benefit from clarifications of the taxonomy