CAREER: Systematics of eustyline and geonemine weevils: Connecting and contrasting Caribbean and Neotropical mainland radiations

突眼属复合体中的象甲种类繁多，是柑橘和其他栽培植物的重要害虫，在分类学上具有挑战性。在加勒比海和中美洲已经描述了大约45个物种；尽管实地工作表明，还有数十个物种仍未描述。大多数加勒比物种居住在单一岛屿上，这表明历史因素，而不是通过寄主植物关系进行适应，促进了它们的多样性。这个项目旨在解决理解这一群体中的多样性的长期困难。结合对180-220个物种的系统发育分析和基于化石的时间测定方法，将能够检验许多关于促进这些昆虫多样化的地质和进化事件的序列和相对重要性的假设。将使用现代描述工具编写一本物种级别的突眼症专著。一个全面的电子出版战略将促进未来对这一甲虫线和其他甲虫线的分类研究的语义整合。该项目包括一名博士后研究员、一名教育助理(将加强推广计划)、一名研究生和六名本科生的资源，他们将参与在新热带地区收集旅行。一个影响深远的昆虫多样性学习项目将在波多黎各启动；这些活动包括：(1)实施关于生物多样性现代记录方法的大学一级课程；(2)针对6-12年级教师举办校园讲习班；(3)为岛上主要环境教育组织的附属人员举办昆虫多样性监测现场讲习班；(4)结合UPRM无脊椎动物采集活动建立一个适合K-12年级的昆虫陈列室；(5)使个别学生有机会根据自己的技能水平进行研究项目；以及(6)通过新开发的多方贡献者网站在线传播所有教育活动的成果。

Weevils in the Exophthalmus genus complex are colorful, economically important as pest species of citrus and other cultivated plants, and taxonomically challenging. Approximately 45 species have been described from the Caribbean and Mesoamerica; although field work indicates that dozens of additional species remain undescribed. Most Caribbean species inhabit single islands, suggesting that historical factors, as opposed to adaptation through host plant relationships, have facilitated their diversification. This project aims to resolve the long-standing difficulties of understanding the diversity in this group. A combined phylogenetic analysis of 180-220 species and fossil-based methods for dating divergence times will allow the testing of numerous hypotheses regarding the sequence and relative importance of geological and evolutionary events that have promoted the diversification of these insects. A species-level monograph of Exophthalmus will be produced using modern description tools. A comprehensive e-publication strategy will facilitate the semantic integration of future taxonomic research on this and other beetle lineages.The project includes resources for a postdoctoral researcher, an education associate who will enhance the outreach program, a graduate student, and six undergraduate students who will participate in collecting trips throughout the Neotropics. A far-reaching insect diversity learning program will be launched in Puerto Rico; including (1) the implementation of a university-level course in contemporary methods of biodiversity documentation, (2) on-campus workshops aimed at grade 6-12 teachers, (3) on-site workshops in insect diversity monitoring for people affiliated with the island's leading organization in environmental education, (4) the establishment of a K-12 grade-appropriate insect showroom in association with the UPRM invertebrate collection, (5) opportunities for individual students to conduct research projects adjusted to their skill level, and (6) the on-line dissemination of the outcomes of all educational activities through a newly developed, multi-contributor website.