DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Systematics and Diversification of the Aderidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea): Elucidating the Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism

龟甲科是一个中等多样性的甲虫科，有1200种，分布在除南极洲以外的所有大陆，目前分为45属。在波罗的海、多米尼加、墨西哥和黎巴嫩的琥珀内含物中也有丰富的化石记录。许多物种表现出不同程度的两性二态性，一些栖息在洞穴系统中，一些是白蚁的群居寄生虫。这项研究将是第一次使用现代分子系统方法来研究这个家族的进化关系。这个项目特别强调了目前未被充分利用的形态学成像方法。来自这些化石标本的形态学数据将被评估并包括在分析中，以检查进化事件的历史时间，例如两性二态性的进化。除了发现和描述现存和化石物种外，该项目还将产生一种修订的菊科分类。来自现存和化石标本的数据的完全整合使这成为一个典型的多学科研究，将在一个时间框架内调查这些甲虫的多样化。这项研究的结果将通过在研究会议和当地科学研讨会上的演讲广泛传播，以促进社区的科学意识。

The Aderidae is a moderately diverse beetle family containing 1,200 species that inhabit all continents except Antarctica and are currently classified into 45 genera. Aderidae also has a rich fossil record in Baltic, Dominican, Mexican, and Lebanese amber inclusions. Many species exhibit varying degrees of sexual dimorphism, several inhabit cave systems, and some are social parasites of termites. This study will be the first to investigate evolutionary relationships within this family using modern molecular systematic methods. This project specifically emphasizes currently under-utilized morphological imaging methods. The morphological data from these fossil specimens will be evaluated and included in analyses in order to examine the historical timing of evolutionary events, such as the evolution of sexual dimorphism.This project will produce a revised classification for the Aderidae in addition to the discovery and description of extant and fossil species. The complete integration of data from extant and fossil specimens makes this an exemplar multi-disciplinary study that will investigate the diversification of these beetles within a temporal framework. Results from this research will be broadly disseminated through presentations at research conferences and local science cafés to promote scientific awareness in the community.