U.S.-France Cooperative Research: Genetics and Chemical Ecology of Reticulitermes Termites

0233238 VargoThis三年奖美国-法国在种群生态学方面的合作涉及北卡罗来纳州州立大学的Edward Vargo和图尔斯大学昆虫生物学研究所的Anne-Genevieve Bagneres的研究小组。 他们将研究社会昆虫的遗传学和化学生态学，特别是散白蚁。 该物种在自然生态系统中的纤维素分解中起着重要作用。 它们是遍布北方温带地区（包括法国和美国）的严重结构性害虫。 研究人员解决两个重要方面：殖民地的社会组织和分类。 他们将使用分子遗传标记和分析化学技术来调查R。santonensis，一种在法国发现的地下白蚁。 与R的比较黄足和化学性状的通用性也将进行研究。 美国研究人员将使用微卫星位点的分子标记基因分型技术带入此次合作。 法国调查员对群居昆虫表皮碳氢化合物和士兵防御分泌物的化学分析研究补充了这一点。 这项合作将促进对这些社会性昆虫的群体和种群是如何组织的理解，以及群体之间生化特征的差异在多大程度上反映了遗传变异。该奖项代表了美国方面向NSF和法国国家科学研究中心（CNRS）提出的联合建议。 NSF将支付美国研究员、博士后研究员和研究生的差旅费和生活费。 国家科学研究中心将支持法国参与者访问美国。

0233238VargoThis three-year award for U.S.-France cooperation in population ecology involves the research groups of Edward Vargo at North Carolina State University and Anne-Genevieve Bagneres at the University of Tours' Institute for Insect Biology. They will investigate the genetics and chemical ecology of social insects, in particular, Reticulitermes termites. This species plays an important role in decomposition of cellulose in natural ecosystems. They are serious structural pests throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including France and the United States. The investigators address two important aspects: colony social organization and taxonomy. They will use molecular genetic markers and analytical chemical techniques to investigate colonies and population of R. santonensis, a subterranean termite found in France. Comparisons to R. flavipes and general utility of chemical characters will also be studied. The US investigator brings to this collaboration the technique of molecular marker genotyping using microsatellite loci. This is complemented by the French investigator's research on chemical analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons and soldier defensive secretions in social insects. The collaboration will advance understanding of how colonies and populations of these social insects are organized and the extent to which differences in biochemical signatures among colonies reflect genetic variation. This award represents the US side of a joint proposal to the NSF and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). NSF will cover travel funds and living expenses of the US investigator, postdoctoral researcher and graduate student. The CNRS will support visits to US of the French participants.