DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolution of cleptoparasitism in apid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

蜜蜂越冬寄生的进化在所描述的5654种蜜蜂中，约30%被认为是越冬寄生蜂。寄生蜂不会自己筑巢或为后代觅食。取而代之的是，它们进入寄主蜜蜂的巢中，在一个细胞里下一个蛋，然后通常离开。在这个项目中，研究人员将根据形态和分子(DNA序列)数据对蜜蜂科进行系统发育研究。将重点放在部落和家庭的普通一级，重点放在寄生血统上。然后，系统发育将被用来调查裂口寄生虫的起源和寄主寄生虫的关系模式。此外，还将建立蜜蜂属的互动识别检索表。这把钥匙将在互联网上提供。此外，还将通过改进的圆管实验和田间观察来研究寄生蜂及其宿主的生物学。作为大多数开花植物的关键传粉者，蜜蜂对于维持健康的生态系统和许多农作物是必不可少的。考虑到这种蜜蜂家族成员的经济和生态重要性，更全面地了解这些蜜蜂的进化史是迫在眉睫的。

Evolution of cleptoparasitism in apid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)Of the ~5654 described species of apid bees, approximately 30% are thought to be cleptoparasitic. Cleptoparasitic bees do not build their own nests or forage for their offspring. Instead, they enter the nest of a host bee, lay an egg in a cell, and then usually leave. In this project, investigators will conduct a phylogenetic study of the family Apidae based on both morphology and molecular (DNA sequence) data. Efforts will be focused at the tribal and generic levels of the family with an emphasis on the cleptoparasitic lineages. The phylogeny will then be used to investigate origins of cleptoparasitism and patterns of host parasite relationships. In addition, an interactive identification key to the genera of Apidae will be built. This key will be made available on the internet. The biology of cleptoparasitic bees and their hosts will also be studied using modified circle tube experiments and field observations.As the key pollinators of most flowering plants, bees are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and many of our agricultural crops. Considering the economic and ecological importance of members of this family, it is pressing that the evolutionary history of these bees be more fully understood.