The phylogeny of diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) and factors of species diversification

在几个动物群体中都发现了过度多样化(非常高的物种多样性)，但其起源尚不清楚。在这个项目中，研究人员将绘制潜水甲虫(跳甲科，4200个已知物种)的系统发育图，并调查繁殖策略的进化起源与物种多样性之间的相关性。该群在水生系统中是重要的捕食者，也是水生和陆地食虫动物的食物。这项研究将在系统发育的背景下调查雌性生殖道、精子和交配行为的共同进化，以发现相关性及其对过度多样化的贡献。了解特征对物种形成的不同影响应有助于更好地理解非生态变化引起的物种辐射。该项目将培训研究生和本科生物种起源和多样性、系统发育分析、共同进化和进化理论，以及这些过程中涉及的因素。该机构是一所服务于大学的少数族裔，来自科学领域代表性不足群体的学生将获得STEM领域的培训。将在该项目的基础上开发一门课程，并将通过研究人员、教育工作者和学生可公开访问的网站传播材料。

Hyperdiversification (extraordinarily high species diversity) is found in several animal groups, but its origins are not well understood. In this project, the investigators will produce a phylogeny of the diving beetles (Dytiscidae, 4200 known species) and investigate correlations between evolutionary origins of reproductive strategies and species diversification. The group is important as predators in aquatic systems and as food for both aquatic and terrestrial insectivores. The research will investigate coevolution of female reproductive tracts, sperm, and mating behaviors in a phylogenetic context to discover correlations and their contribution to hyperdiversification. Understanding the different impacts of traits on speciation should lead to a better understanding of species radiations that are not due to ecological changes.This project will train both graduate students and undergraduates in species origins and diversification, phylogenetic analysis, coevolution and evolutionary theory, and the factors involved in these processes. The institution is a minority serving university and students from underrepresented groups in science will gain training in STEM fields. A course will be developed based on this project and material will be disseminated through publicly accessible web sites for researchers, educators and students.