Phylogenesis and Possible Replacement of Endosymbionts in Columbiform Bird Lice

许多动植物已经进化出与细菌的共生关系。这些细菌为它们的宿主提供天然饮食中所缺乏的营养。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疗、兽医和农业害虫。这个项目将研究共生细菌在捕食羽毛的虱子中的作用，这些虱子是鸟类的专性寄生虫。这些虱子是一个重要的模式系统，用来理解为什么寄生虫专门针对单一物种的宿主。最初，基于DNA的分析将用于调查虱子中的细菌共生体。然后将使用显微和基因组技术来评估不同虱子和它们的共生细菌之间的关系。要理解共生的本质，就必须了解这些相互作用的全部光谱。这个项目代表了对以毛发或羽毛为食的昆虫(由数千个物种组成的群体)共生的首批研究之一。该项目将为博士生提供深入培训，并为本科生研究助理提供培训。这一培训将进一步有助于教育学生和公众关于微生物学中的重要问题，如抗生素耐药性的进化。

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.