NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2013

肠道微生物与Lycaenid蝴蝶的互惠关系和食物的进化大多数Lycaenid蝴蝶与蚂蚁有特殊的联系，虽然大多数蚂蚁和Lycaenid的相互作用被认为是互惠的，但许多是寄生的，毛虫以蚂蚁的反胃、蚂蚁照料的昆虫或直接以蚂蚁为食的幼虫为食。尽管Lycaenid蝴蝶之间的饮食、生活史和种间联系有着令人难以置信的多样性，但人们对这一群体内饮食的演变以及由此产生的从互惠关系到寄生关系的转变并不很清楚。本研究从分类学、功能和进化的角度对丽蝶科蝴蝶肠道细菌群落进行了研究，以探讨肠道微生物参与该种群寄生生活方式和食肉饮食进化的可能性。这是首次对共生肠道微生物在确定宿主与自由生活有机体的关联中所起的作用进行的研究，包括从互惠共生到寄生的进化转变。在哈佛大学的内奥米·皮尔斯博士和马克斯·普朗克化学生态研究所的马丁·卡尔滕波斯博士的指导下，该项目解决了几个培训目标。具体目标包括接受功能基因组学方法的培训，发展强大的教学技能，并获得将基因组学技术应用于生态和进化问题的经验。此外，该研究员将继续积极参与旨在增加大波士顿地区及其他地区代表人数不足的学生的机会和进步的外联活动。这项研究将为昆虫-微生物协会的生物学提供新的见解，并可能应用于人类健康、保护和害虫管理。

Gut microbes and the evolution of mutualism and diet in lycaenid butterfliesMost lycaenid butterflies engage in specialized associations with ants, and while the majority of these ant-lycaenid interactions are considered mutualistic, many are parasitic in which caterpillars feed on ant regurgitations, ant-tended insects, or directly on ant brood. Despite the incredible diversity of diets, life histories, and interspecific associations among lycaenid butterflies, the evolution of diet and resulting transitions from mutualism to parasitism within this group are not well understood. This research investigates the taxonomic, functional and evolutionary dimensions of the gut bacterial associations of lycaenid butterflies in order to explore the possibility that gut microbes are implicated in the evolution of parasitic lifestyles and carnivorous diets in this group. This is the first study of the role of symbiotic gut microbes in determining their hosts' associations with free-living organisms, including evolutionary shifts from mutualism to parasitism. With the guidance of Dr. Naomi Pierce at Harvard University and Dr. Martin Kaltenpoth at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, this project addresses several training goals. Specific aims include the Fellow receiving training in functional genomics methods, developing strong teaching skills, and gaining experience applying genomics techniques to ecological and evolutionary questions. Additionally, the Fellow will remain active in outreach activities aimed at increasing opportunities and advancement of underrepresented students in the greater Boston area and beyond. This research will provide novel insights into the biology of insect-microbe associations, with potential applications to human health, conservation, and pest management.