Collaborative research: The Pygmy Borers (Col., Scolytinae: Cryphalini): revision of genera, evolution of the genome, and modernization of insect systematics

树皮甲虫是最具破坏性的害虫之一，也是一类很难识别的昆虫。这个项目将修改最大和最重要的树皮甲虫群体之一的分类和进化史：Cryphalini，俾格米人钻孔虫。该项目将1)使用分子系统学来修订Cryphalini属的分类，2)分析假定的全球隐翅目物种(地球上一些最广泛分布的昆虫)的种群，以测试它们是真实物种还是隐蔽物种的簇，3)重建侏儒虫基因组拷贝数的进化(在某些属，雄性每个染色体只有一个拷贝)，并测试偏差是否与操纵细菌寄生虫有关。我们的方法集成了下一代测序、基于矩阵的自动分类和包括公民收集者在内的大型全球合作者网络。我们的高通量方法代表了一种新的具有成本效益的方法，适用于不同但未被研究的生物群。非学术界人士将从新的身份识别能力中受益。一个单一的隐翅虫物种(即咖啡浆果蛾)每年会造成5亿美元的损失，但检疫人员没有工具将其与其他隐翅虫区分开来。广大公众将受益于一项新的公民科学项目--在你的后院里发现树皮甲虫？

Bark beetles are among the most damaging pests, and a diverse group of insects which are difficult to identify. This project will revise the classification and evolutionary history of one of the largest and most important bark beetle groups: Cryphalini, the Pygmy Borers. The project will 1) revise the classification of Cryphalini genera using a molecular phylogeny, 2) analyze populations of putatively global cryphaline species (some of the most widespread insects on Earth) to test whether they are true species or clusters of cryptic species, and 3) reconstruct the evolution of genome copy number in Pygmy Borers (in some genera, males have only one copy of each chromosome), and test whether deviations are associated with manipulative bacterial parasites. Our approach integrates next-generation sequencing, automated matrix-based taxonomy, and a large global network of collaborators, including ?citizen collectors?.Our high-throughput methodology represents a new cost-efficient approach to diverse but understudied groups of organisms. Non-academics will benefit from the new identification capacity. A single cryphaline species (i.e., the Coffee Berry Borer) causes $500,000,000 annual damages, yet quarantine officers have no tools to distinguish it from other cryphalines. The broad public will benefit from a new Citizen Science project ?Bark beetles in your backyard?.