DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The ecology of divergence in vibrational signals of Enchenopa binotata treehoppers

论文研究： 角蝉振动信号分歧的生态学

• 批准号: 0508642
• 负责人: Reginald Cocroft
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Missouri-Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-04-01 至 2008-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0508642&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; ecology; divergence; vibrational

The proposed research focuses on a group of closely related plant-feeding insects, Enchenopa binotata treehoppers, to understand better how communication signals contribute to the formation of new species. Environments select for efficient communication, which leads to variation in the communication signals when environments differ. Given that only individuals with compatible communication systems tend to mate with one another, these differences also may lead to reproductive isolation among populations in different environments. Enchenopa are host-specific, a situation where each species associates exclusively with a single species of plant. This is ideal situation since ecological differences are well defined by each host-plant species. Species in the Enchenopa binotata complex differ dramatically in the pitch of male mating signals, with each species imparting a different pitch into the stems of its respective host plant. Preliminary results on the transmission properties of two host plant species shows that the same pitch used by the resident Enchenopa species is the pitch that transmits best in the plant, suggesting each insect species is tuned to its host plant. However, ecological differences between populations involve multiple factors, which underscores the importance of understanding what communicating individuals experience in wild populations. To this end the proposed research integrates multiple components of the environment to better understand the natural context in which Enchenopa binotata treehoppers communicate. Signal transmission properties will be characterized for additional host plant species, and background noise resulting from wind-induced vibrations will also be characterized for each host-plant species. Background noise is important since it can mask signals. Further research then will evaluate the impact of these factors on individuals that receive these signals. As proposed, this research will provide the most thorough evaluation of the role of differences in the environmental context of a group of vibrationally-communicating insect species, and how these differences may lead to variation in signals. Broader Impacts: More broadly, the proposed research provides a novel method for accurately measuring vibrational signals as well as training for undergraduates. Further, the training provided to undergraduates has unique breadth, as much of this research stems from collaborations between biologists and engineers. The educational/research experience will prepare the graduate student and undergraduate assistants for future careers in behavioral biology. Also, the techniques used and hypotheses addressed will contribute to theoretical aspects of ecological divergence and evolution in sympatric populations.

这项研究的重点是一组密切相关的植食性昆虫，Enchenopa binotata treehoppers，以更好地了解通信信号如何促进新物种的形成。环境选择有效的通信，这导致通信信号在不同的环境下发生变化。考虑到只有具有兼容通信系统的个体才倾向于彼此交配，这些差异也可能导致不同环境中种群之间的生殖隔离。Enchenopa是寄主特异性的，即每个物种只与一种植物联系。这是理想的情况，因为每个寄主植物物种的生态差异都有很好的定义。在Enchenopa binotata复杂的物种中，雄性交配信号的音高差异很大，每个物种向其各自的寄主植物的茎中传递不同的音高。对两种寄主植物传播特性的初步研究结果表明，寄主Enchenopa物种使用的相同音高是该植物传播效果最好的音高，这表明每种昆虫都对其寄主植物进行了调谐。然而，种群之间的生态差异涉及多种因素，这强调了了解野生种群中交流个体经历的重要性。为此，该研究整合了环境的多个组成部分，以更好地了解Enchenopa binotata树跳虫交流的自然环境。信号传输特性将被表征为额外的寄主植物物种，并且由风引起的振动产生的背景噪声也将被表征为每个寄主植物物种。背景噪声很重要，因为它可以掩盖信号。进一步的研究将评估这些因素对接收到这些信号的个体的影响。正如所提出的，这项研究将提供最彻底的评估差异在一组振动交流昆虫物种的环境背景下的作用，以及这些差异如何导致信号的变化。更广泛的影响：更广泛地说，提出的研究提供了一种准确测量振动信号的新方法，并为本科生提供了培训。此外，为本科生提供的培训具有独特的广度，因为许多研究源于生物学家和工程师之间的合作。教育/研究经验将为研究生和本科生助理在行为生物学的未来职业生涯做好准备。此外，所使用的技术和提出的假设将有助于从理论上研究同域种群的生态分化和进化。