Insect diversity at multiple scales: from genes to communities

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Few single biodiversity programs span genes, species and communities, yet the three are linked: genetic diversity is the raw material for speciation; species are the currency for comparison of habitats and sites; and communities are strongly influenced by species interactions. By assessing diversity at all three scales, we move toward a greater understanding of mechanisms and resulting patterns of diversity. I explore insect diversity at genetic, species and ecological scales. My study taxon is the flies (Diptera), Canada's most diverse order of insects. My short-term objective is to document patterns of diversity at all three levels at multiple spatial scales, especially in the arctic where flies dominate. My long-term objective is to build a phylogenetic and ecological framework to address questions on the diversity and dominance of flies. We explore three themes: 1. TAXONOMY: Good ecology is rooted in good taxonomy, especially in the diverse insects. The core of my taxonomic work is the family Chloropidae, a large family that is dominant in most terrestrial systems. Chloropids have enormous ecological diversity, but understanding this diversity is hampered by undescribed species and unresolved relationships. The Nearctic chloropid fauna will be the focus of our proposed taxonomic work, making names and phylogenies available for ecological studies. We will also target other Diptera families that are particularly diverse but poorly known in the arctic; 2. PHYLOGENY: We require phylogenetic hypotheses to test questions about community assembly and structure. The distribution of arctic Diptera is strongly influenced by survival in refugia and postglacial dispersal but phylogeographic analyses at the genetic level is needed to identify the footprint of glacial events; 3. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY: Many Diptera families are similar in species-richness, abundance and body size, but show a great range of ecological specialization. We will use these families to test the effect of ecological diversity on community structure. We will also test whether phylogeny, ecology or neutral processes drive community assembly in these taxa at different spatial and temporal scales.