Dissertation Research: Early Invasion Dynamics of the Japanese pavement ant, Tetramorium tsushimae, in St. Louis, MO: The Genetic Structure of a Biological Invasion

论文研究：密苏里州圣路易斯日本路面蚁（Tetramorium tsushimae）的早期入侵动态：生物入侵的遗传结构

• 批准号: 0710122
• 负责人: Shawn Nordell
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Saint Louis University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-06-01 至 2009-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0710122&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Early; Invasion; Dynamics

The Japanese pavement ant, Tetramorium tsushimae, is a recently discovered invasive species found throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Since the invasion was first identified, the species has rapidly spread and may have reduced local biodiversity. The primary goal of this research is to use this species to understand how recent biological invasions succeed by using methods in genetics, ecology, behavior, and computer modeling. Specifically, this funding will permit research to determine how this species has dispersed recently and how it currently competes with other species.Invasive species are non-native species that undergo rapid population growth and cause significant environmental or economic costs. Invasive species are the second leading cause of extinctions and population declines worldwide. Aside from their adverse effects on biodiversity, the negative effects of invasive species in the U.S. cost $137 billion annually. A major emphasis in the study of biological invasions has been to understand the early stages of invasions, because once established they can be very difficult to eradicate. The Japanese pavement ant represents the most recently documented ant invasion in North America; as such, this system presents an indispensable opportunity to understand how early invasions succeed and spread. This research will provide valuable information for conservation efforts designed to prevent invasions.

日本路面蚂蚁，Tetramorium tsushimae，是一种最近发现的入侵物种，遍布圣路易斯都会区。自首次发现入侵以来，该物种迅速蔓延，并可能减少了当地的生物多样性。这项研究的主要目标是利用这个物种来了解最近的生物入侵是如何通过使用遗传学，生态学，行为学和计算机建模的方法成功的。具体来说，这笔资金将允许研究，以确定如何这个物种已经分散最近，以及它目前如何与其他物种的竞争。入侵物种是非本地物种，经历了快速的人口增长，并造成重大的环境或经济成本。入侵物种是全球范围内灭绝和人口下降的第二大原因。除了对生物多样性的不利影响外，入侵物种在美国的负面影响每年造成1370亿美元的损失。生物入侵研究的一个主要重点是了解入侵的早期阶段，因为一旦建立，它们就很难根除。日本路面蚂蚁代表了最近记录的北美蚂蚁入侵;因此，这个系统提供了一个不可或缺的机会来了解早期入侵是如何成功和传播的。这项研究将为旨在防止入侵的保护工作提供有价值的信息。