DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolution of the weevils and development of the weevil rostrum (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea)

论文研究：象鼻虫的进化和象鼻虫喙的发育（鞘翅目：象鼻虫总科）该项目的重点是阐明象鼻虫头囊的发育，特别是细长的吻，这是一种与它们相当大的进化成功有关的结构。 将研究农业、林业和/或园艺中关键的象鼻虫物种的吻部形成，用于在植物组织中产生用于进食或产卵的洞。 这个项目将解决那些遗传因素负责鼻子的形成和改变其整体结构，以及事件的多样化。 它还将提供第一个全面考虑象鼻虫的演变和那些因素推动他们的成功。 象鼻虫是所有生物中最多样化的，大约有60，000种。 由于它们对自然和农业生态系统的影响，破坏所有主要植物群体，并且是节肢动物害虫中最严重的种类之一，因此具有极端重要的经济意义。 解决这些因素，导致了显着的多样性的象鼻虫将允许他们的专业化不同的植物科和组织的精细的理解。 深入了解这些遗传因素，推动了他们的多样化和进化的成功，将开发新的途径，在生物防治研究以及象鼻虫生物学的基础。

Dissertation Research: Evolution of the Weevils and Development of the Weevil Rostrum (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea)The project focuses on elucidating the development of the weevil head capsule, in particular the elongate snout, a structure that is implicated in their considerable evolutionary success. Key weevil species critical in agriculture, forestry, and/or horticulture will be investigated for the formation of the snout, used in producing holes for feeding or egg deposition in plant tissues. This project will resolve those genetic elements responsible for snout formation and alterations in its overall structure, as well as the timing of episodes of diversification. It will also provide the first comprehensive consideration of weevil evolution and those factors driving their success. Weevils rank among the most diverse of all organisms, with around 60,000 species. They are of extreme economic importance owing to their impact on natural and agricultural ecosystems, damaging all major groups of plants and representing one of the most serious lineages of arthropod pests. Resolution of those factors that have led to the remarkable diversity of weevils will permit a refined understanding of their specialization on different plant families and tissues. Insight into those genetic factors which have fueled their diversification and evolutionary success will develop new avenues for research in biological control as well as fundamentals of weevil biology.