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

象鼻虫属复合体象鼻虫色彩鲜艳，是柑橘和其他栽培植物的重要经济害虫，在分类学上具有挑战性。在加勒比海和中美洲已经发现了大约45种；尽管野外工作表明还有几十种未被描述。大多数加勒比物种居住在单个岛屿上，这表明历史因素，而不是通过寄主植物关系来适应，促进了它们的多样化。这个项目旨在解决长期以来理解这一群体多样性的困难。结合对180-220种昆虫的系统发育分析和以化石为基础的确定分化时间的方法，将允许测试关于促进这些昆虫多样化的地质和进化事件的顺序和相对重要性的许多假设。将使用现代描述工具编写出一份突出眼病的种级专著。一个全面的电子出版策略将促进未来对这种甲虫和其他甲虫谱系的分类研究的语义整合。该项目包括为一名博士后研究员、一名将加强拓展计划的教育助理、一名研究生和六名将参与新热带地区收集旅行的本科生提供资源。一项影响深远的昆虫多样性学习计划将在波多黎各启动；包括(1)实施当代生物多样性文献方法的大学水平课程，(2)针对6-12年级教师的校园讲习班，(3)为岛上环境教育领导组织的人员提供昆虫多样性监测的现场讲习班，(4)建立一个适合K-12年级的昆虫陈列室，与UPRM无脊椎动物收藏相关联，(5)为个别学生提供机会，根据他们的技能水平进行研究项目；(6)通过一个新开发的、多方参与的网站，在网上发布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.