Phylogenetics of Ichneumonoidea (Hymenoptera): understanding host-choice evolution using innovative molecular approaches

Ichneumonoidea（膜翅目）的系统发育：使用创新的分子方法了解宿主选择进化

• 批准号: 402201-2013
• 负责人: Sharanowski, Barbara
• 金额: $ 2.26万
• 依托单位: University of Manitoba
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=529467
• 关键词: Phylogenetics; Ichneumonoidea; Hymenoptera; understanding; host

In almost every terrestrial habitat in Canada, approximately one out of ten animals is a parasitic wasp in the superfamily Ichneumonoidea. Harmless to humans, these beneficial insects attack and kill major insect pests in agricultural and forest ecosystems, thereby protecting our most valued resources. Unfortunately, our knowledge of these wasps is limited as little research has been devoted to studying these highly diverse species. This research program incorporates phylogenetics, evolution, and biology to document and describe the immense biodiversity of ichneumonoid wasps and determine the evolutionary relationships among these species. This research will increase our understanding of what species of parasitic wasps we have in Canada, where they can be found, and how they are similar or different from other species. Species descriptions and the development of easy to use identification tools for these species will foster understanding of these wasps by researchers and the general public so they can be conserved in crops, forests, and gardens. This research focuses on the evolution of host-choice in parasitoid wasps and how this trait has contributed to the genesis of biodiversity. Understanding what drives biodiversity is a fundamentally important concept, particularly as we strive to conserve species in the midst of habitat destruction, biological invasions, and climate change. This research will also provide insight to what hosts are utilized by parasitoids and provide tools for predicting the biology of newly discovered species.

在加拿大几乎每一个陆地栖息地，大约十分之一的动物是姬蜂总科的寄生蜂。这些有益的昆虫对人类无害，攻击和杀死农业和森林生态系统中的主要害虫，从而保护我们最宝贵的资源。不幸的是，我们对这些黄蜂的了解是有限的，因为很少有人致力于研究这些高度多样化的物种。这项研究计划融合了系统发育、进化和生物学，以记录和描述姬蜂的巨大生物多样性，并确定这些物种之间的进化关系。这项研究将增加我们对加拿大有哪些种类的寄生蜂，在哪里可以找到它们，以及它们与其他物种有何相似或不同的了解。对这些物种的物种描述和易于使用的识别工具的开发将促进研究人员和普通公众对这些黄蜂的了解，从而使它们能够在农作物、森林和花园中得到保护。本研究的重点是寄生蜂寄主选择的进化，以及这一特性如何对生物多样性的起源做出贡献。了解是什么驱动了生物多样性是一个根本性的重要概念，特别是在我们努力在栖息地遭到破坏、生物入侵和气候变化的情况下保护物种的时候。这项研究还将深入了解寄生蜂利用哪些寄主，并为预测新发现物种的生物学提供工具。