PEET: Antlion Systematics: building global expertise in the Myrmeleontidae (Insecta: Neuroptera)

蚂蚁是一大类神经翅目昆虫，在干旱地区的生境中扮演着重要的生态角色，是一种以土壤为基础的小型捕食者。我们对蚂蚁的多样性、进化史和生态学的了解仍然非常不完整。世界上估计有3000个物种，其中只有一半得到了科学描述，这些物种之间的历史关系仍然鲜为人知。该项目将涉及两个高度优先的领域：第一，在对大量选定物种的分子数据进行严格系统发育分析的基础上，制定新的蚂蚁分类全球框架；第二，描述新物种，完成全面的专著和识别检索表。为了解决最近蚂蚁分类学家全球专业知识基础急剧下降的问题，该项目将为蚂蚁分类学和信息学领域的多名研究生和本科生提供教育和培训机会。项目成果将包括制作新的印刷作品，涉及蚂蚁物种的识别、多样性和相互关系，以及开发新的在线资源，将有关蚂蚁的信息纳入生物多样性信息学的全球数字基础设施。

Antlions constitute a large group of neuropteran insects that play important ecological roles in arid-land habitats as a dominant class of small, soil-based predators. Our knowledge of the diversity, evolutionary history, and ecology of antlions is still very incomplete. Only half of the estimated 3000 world species have been scientifically described, and the historical relationships among these species remain poorly known. This project will address two high-priority areas: first, the development of a new global framework for antlion classification based on a rigorous phylogenetic analysis of molecular data from a large number of selected species; and second, the description of new species and completion of comprehensive monographs and identification keys. To address the recent precipitous decline in the global expertise-base of antlion taxonomists, this project will provide education and training opportunities for multiple graduate and undergraduate students in the fields of antlion systematics and informatics. Project results will include the production of new print works that address the identification, diversity and interrelationships of antlion species, and the development of new on-line resources that will integrate information on antlions into the global digital infrastructure of biodiversity informatics.