Revisionary Studies of Endemic New World Chrysopidae

新世界特有草蛉科的修订研究

• 批准号: 0542373
• 负责人: Maurice Tauber
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Cornell Univ - State: AWDS MADE PRIOR MAY 2010
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-02-15 至 2012-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0542373&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Revisionary; Studies; Endemic; New; World

ABSTRACTREVISIONARY STUDIES OF ENDEMIC NEW WORLD CHRYSOPIDAEI. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT A. Problem: The green lacewing family (Chrysopidae) is a geographically widespread, biologically fascinating, and economically important group of predaceous insects. Nevertheless, its classification is in a very poor state. It is difficult (often impossible) to identify species of green lacewings accurately; many are not described or named; as a result, potentially valuable evolutionary, ecological and applied research with the group is hindered. B. Goals & Scope of Research: The project's goal is to revise the classification and provide a phylogenetic (evolutionary) analysis of the largest tribe of green lacewings (Leucochrysini, ~200 species). This tribe is native to the New World; it ranges from the United States through most of South America. And, its classification is in the poorest state of any group of chrysopids. C. Methods: The proposed study will be the first to apply modern (cladistic) methods of classification to the green lacewings. It will create and analyze a large dataset that includes previously unused characters from larval and adult morphology as well as comparative biology. The outcome of the work will be (a) descriptions, illustrations, and keys for identifying species and (b) a classification of the tribe that reflects evolutionary relationships among the included species. It is anticipated that the project's methodology and analysis will provide a useful and efficient template for chrysopid systematists worldwide.II. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE & SOCIETAL BENEFITSThe project's evolutionary classification of the tribe Leucochrysini will enable the identification and investigation of a large proportion (50%) of neotropical green lacewing species. Potential benefits from the classification fall into several categories: A. Systematics & Evolution: First, the project will provide crucial new information for defining the evolutionary relationships among the diverse taxa in the poorly known insect family Chrysopidae. The information will also help elucidate how Chrysopidae is related to the other families in the order Neuroptera. B. Biological Control & Applied Ecology: Green lacewings are among the most important predators that feed on insect pests of agricultural and horticultural crops. The project will enable the identification, study and use of neotropical lacewings as native biological control agents in pest management. Its comparative biological and evolutionary approach is especially important to biological control because it provides a predictive insight into the biological characteristics of species that are under consideration for use in specific agro-ecological situations. C. Biodiversity & Conservation: Chrysopids have significant potential as quantifiable (third-trophic-level) bio-indicators in biodiversity assessments and in conservation projects. The project will supply systematic information that is essential to such applications. D. Student Training. The project's synergistic collaboration with Latin American colleagues and students will stimulate and nurture additional studies on the systematics and diversity of neotropical insects. The PIs will encourage qualified students to pursue advanced taxonomic training at universities in the USA.

标题新世界特有种的研究概况。项目描述A问题：绿草科是地理上分布广泛、生物学上令人着迷和具有重要经济价值的捕食性昆虫。然而，它的分类却处于非常糟糕的状态。很难(通常是不可能)准确地识别绿色草莓的物种；许多物种没有被描述或命名；因此，与该群体进行的潜在有价值的进化、生态和应用研究受到阻碍。B.目标和研究范围：该项目的目标是修订分类，并提供最大的绿叶草属(Leucochrysini，约200种)的系统发育(进化)分析。这个部落原产于新大陆，范围从美国到南美洲大部分地区。而且，它的分类在任何一类蝶类中处于最差的状态。C.方法：拟议的研究将是第一次将现代(支序)分类方法应用于绿色草莓。它将创建和分析一个大型数据集，其中包括以前从未使用过的幼虫和成虫形态以及比较生物学的特征。这项工作的结果将是(A)识别物种的描述、插图和检索表，以及(B)反映所包括物种之间进化关系的部落分类。预计该项目的方法和分析将为世界范围内的蝶类系统学家提供一个有用和有效的模板。II.科学意义和社会本菲特该项目对Leucochrysini部落的进化分类将能够识别和调查很大比例(50%)的新热带绿色草类物种。分类的潜在好处分为几类：a.系统学和进化：首先，该项目将为确定鲜为人知的昆虫科叶甲科不同类群之间的进化关系提供关键的新信息。这些信息也将有助于阐明叶蜂科与脉翅目其他科的亲缘关系。B.生物防治与应用生态学：绿皮草是最重要的捕食性天敌之一，以农业和园艺作物的害虫为食。该项目将使识别、研究和使用新热带草皮作为本地生物防治剂用于病虫害管理。它的比较生物学和进化方法对生物防治特别重要，因为它提供了对正在考虑用于特定农业生态情况的物种的生物学特征的预测性洞察。C.生物多样性与保护：在生物多样性评估和保护项目中，叶蝉作为可量化(第三营养级别)生物指标的潜力很大。该项目将提供对这类应用至关重要的系统信息。D.学生培训。该项目与拉丁美洲同事和学生的协同合作将促进和促进关于新热带昆虫系统学和多样性的更多研究。PIS将鼓励符合条件的学生在美国的大学接受高级分类学培训。