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.

真菌园艺蚂蚁 Mycocepurus smithii 的系统学、系统发育学和无性演化 真菌园艺蚂蚁 Mycocepurus smithii 仅通过未受精卵繁殖。 严格的无性繁殖使得M. smithii在昆虫中几乎是独一无二的。研究史密斯氏海龟有助于我们理解为什么有性行为在动物中如此普遍，以及为什么无性行为很少见。 拟议的研究将在进化背景下测试专性和长期无性行为的理论预测。首先，该属的现代分类学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有性向无性的进化转变，并鉴定 M. smithii 的有性姐妹物种。第三，将测试M. smithii是否存在（或不存在）表明专性、长期无性的遗传特征。 大多数动物中存在有性生殖是进化生物学中长期存在的难题。如果无性生物能够在进化过程中持续存在，它们可能会进化出一种不同的解决方案，以确保两种性别的性行为具有相同的好处。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的交流。 几名本科生研究助理将接受分子遗传学技术的培训。科学进展将在公共宣传计划和科学会议中展示。 此外，分类学和系统发育研讨会将在巴西里奥克拉罗的合作伙伴研究所举行。