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

论文研究：真菌园艺蚁属 Mycocepurus 的系统学、系统发育学和无性进化

• 批准号: 0808164
• 负责人: Ulrich Mueller
• 金额: $ 1.19万
• 依托单位: University of Texas at Austin
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-07-15 至 2010-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0808164&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Systematics; phylogenetics; evolution

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.

真菌植物养殖蚂蚁菌属中的无性养殖的系统学，系统发育和真菌性植物植物养殖蚂蚁mycepurus smithii通过未剥落的鸡蛋专门再现。 严格的无性繁殖使Smithii M. Smithii在昆虫中几乎是独一无二的。研究史密斯（M. 拟议的研究将在进化背景下测试理论预测的义务和长期无性。首先，对该属的现代分类修订将识别现有物种并描述新物种。其次，分子系统发育分析将推断从性别到无性恋的进化过渡，并确定史密斯史密斯的性姐妹物种。第三，Smithii将测试遗传特征的存在（或不存在），指示了长期无性无性的义务。 大多数动物中有性繁殖的存在是进化生物学的长期难题。如果无性生物能够在进化时期持续存在，那么它们可能会进化出一种不同的解决方案，从而确保了与两个性别的性相同的好处。拟议的研究将通过与拉丁美洲的科学家合作来促进信息和技术的交流。 几名本科研究助理将接受分子遗传技术的培训。科学进步将在公共宣传计划和科学会议上提出。 此外，将在巴西里约热内卢的合作伙伴研究所举行分类学和系统发育研讨会。