Phylogenesis and Possible Replacement of Endosymbionts in Columbiform Bird Lice

许多动物和植物都与细菌进化出了共生关系。这些细菌为它们的宿主提供天然食物中缺乏的营养。大多数研究都集中在以脊椎动物血液或植物汁液为食的昆虫上，因为这些昆虫被认为是重要的医学、兽医和农业害虫。本项目将研究共生细菌在鸟类专性寄生物食羽虱中的作用。这些虱子是一个重要的模型系统，用于理解为什么寄生虫专门针对单一种类的宿主。最初，基于dna的分析将用于调查虱子的细菌共生体。显微镜和基因组技术将用于评估不同虱子与其共生细菌之间的关系。要理解共生的本质，就必须全面了解这些相互作用。该项目是对以毛发或羽毛为食的昆虫（一组由数千种昆虫组成）的共生关系的首批研究之一。该项目将为博士生提供深度培训，并为本科生研究助理提供培训。这项培训将进一步有助于教育学生和公众，使他们了解微生物学中的重要问题，例如抗生素耐药性的演变。

Many animals and plants have evolved symbiotic relationships with bacteria. These bacteria provide their hosts with nutrients lacking in the natural diet. Most studies have focused on insects that feed on vertebrate blood or plant sap because these insects are recognized as important medical, veterinary and agricultural pests. This project will study the role of symbiotic bacteria in feather-feeding lice that are obligate parasites of birds. These lice are an important model system for understanding why parasites specialize to a single species of host. Initially, DNA-based analyses will be used to survey lice for bacterial symbionts. Microscopic and genomic techniques will then be used to evaluate the relationships between different lice and their symbiotic bacteria. To appreciate the nature of symbiosis, it is essential to understand the full spectrum of these interactions. This project represents one of the first studies of symbiosis in insects that feed on hair or feathers (a group consisting of several thousand species). The project will provide in depth training for a Ph.D. student, as well as training for undergraduate research assistants. This training will further contribute to educating students, and the public alike, about important issues in microbiology, such as the evolution of antibiotic resistance.