Dissertation Research: Phylogeography and Coevolution in Yuccas and Yucca Moths

Pellmyr/Seagrasis这个项目将通过检验关于地理结构、共同进化和历史的明确假设，扩大关于在互利互动中导致欺骗的情况的论文研究。丝兰和丝兰蛾之间的专性授粉互惠是共同进化的经典例子之一，也是探索互惠互惠逆转的一个很好的模式系统，因为它包括衍生的非授粉‘欺骗’蛾。利用这种相互作用，将检验关于局部适应如何推动植物-飞蛾相互作用和共同进化中的变异的三个具体预测。该项目将特别侧重于寄主丝状丝兰的系统地理和花形态。基于AFLP数据的系统地理分析将在整个植物范围内进行，结果将用于测试假设，这些假设涉及与现有花卉性状变异和飞蛾系统地理模式的比较。这项研究将提供第一批数据集之一，以提取互惠关系的历史和适应性成分。

AbstractPellmyr/SeagravesThis project will expand dissertation research on the circumstances leading to cheating in mutualistic interactions by testing explicit hypotheses on geographically structured coevolution and history. The obligate pollination mutualism between yuccas and yucca moths is one of the classical examples of coevolution, and an excellent model system to explore mutualism reversal as it includes derived non-pollinating 'cheater' moths. Using this interaction, three specific predictions will be tested on how local adaptation drives variation in plant-moth interactions and coevolution. The project will specifically focus on phylogeography and floral morphology of the host plant Yucca filamentosa. Phylogeographic analysis based on AFLP data will be performed across the plant range, and the results used to test hypotheses that involve comparisons with existing data sets on floral trait variation and moth phylogeographic patterns. This study will provide one of the first data sets to extract both the historical and adaptive components of a mutualism.