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）该项目侧重于阐明象鼻虫头囊的发育，特别是细长的鼻子，这是一种与它们相当大的进化成功有关的结构。在农业、林业和/或园艺中至关重要的关键象鼻虫物种将被调查鼻部的形成，用于在植物组织中产生供进食或产卵的孔。这个项目将解决那些负责鼻部形成及其整体结构改变的遗传因素，以及多样化时期的时间。它还将首次全面考虑象鼻虫的进化和推动它们成功的因素。象鼻虫是所有生物中最多样化的，大约有6万种。由于它们对自然和农业生态系统的影响，破坏所有主要的植物类群，并且是节肢动物害虫中最严重的一种，因此具有极端的经济重要性。解决导致象鼻虫显著多样性的那些因素，将使人们能够精确地了解它们对不同植物科和组织的专门化。深入了解那些促进其多样化和进化成功的遗传因素将为生物防治研究以及象鼻虫生物学基础开发新的途径。

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.