DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Systematics, phylogenetics and the evolution of asexuality in the fungus-gardening ant genus Mycocepurus

真菌园艺蚂蚁Mycocepurus smithii的生殖系统学、系统发生学和无性性的进化 严格的无性繁殖使M.在昆虫中几乎是独一无二的。学习M。史密西有助于我们理解为什么性行为在动物中如此普遍，以及为什么无性恋很少见。 这项拟议中的研究将在进化的背景下测试专性和长期无性恋的理论预测。首先，对该属的现代分类学修订将确定现有物种并描述新物种。其次，分子系统发育分析将推断从有性到无性的进化过渡，并确定M的性姐妹种。史密斯。第三，M。将测试史密斯氏菌是否存在（或不存在）指示专性长期无性性的遗传标记。 在大多数动物中有性生殖的存在是进化生物学中一个长期存在的难题。如果无性生殖生物能够在进化过程中持续存在，它们可能已经进化出一种不同的解决方案，确保两性之间有性生殖的同样好处。拟议的研究将通过与拉丁美洲科学家的合作促进信息和技术交流。 几名本科生研究助理将接受分子遗传技术方面的培训。科学进展将在公共宣传计划和科学会议上介绍。 此外，还将在巴西里奥克拉罗的伙伴研究所举办一次分类学研究讲习班。

SYSTEMATICS, PHYLOGENETICS AND THE EVOLUTION OF ASEXUALITY INTHE FUNGUS-GARDENING ANT GENUS MYCOCEPURUSThe fungus-gardening ant Mycocepurus smithii reproduces exclusively via unfertilized eggs. Strict asexual reproduction makes M. smithii almost unique among insects. Studying M. smithii contributes to our understanding of why sexuality is so common among animals, and why asexuality is rare. The proposed research will test theoretical predictions of obligate and long-term asexuality in an evolutionary context. First, a modern taxonomic revision of the genus will identify existing species and describe new species. Second, a molecular phylogenetic analysis will infer the evolutionary transition from sexuality to asexuality and identify the sexual sister species of M. smithii. Third, M. smithii will be tested for the presence (or absence) of genetic signatures indicative of obligate, long-term asexuality. The presence of sexual reproduction among most animals is a longstanding puzzle in evolutionary biology. If asexual organisms are able to persist over evolutionary time, they may have evolved a different solution insuring the same benefits of sexuality with two sexes. The proposed research will foster the exchange of information and technology through collaboration with scientists in Latin America. Several undergraduate research assistants will be trained in molecular genetic techniques. Scientific progress will be presented in public outreach programs and scientific meetings. In addition, a taxonomy & phylogeny workshop will be held at the partner Institute in Rio Claro, Brazil.