Phylogenetic Analysis of Blepharoneura (Diptera:Tephritidae)A Test of New Methods and Hypotheses About the Evolution of Host Choice (Systematic Biology/Teacher Enhancement): VPW

通过对一个单系物种群Blepharoneura（双翅目：毯蝗科）的系统发育分析，对两个主要方面的假设进行了验证：1)植食性昆虫的寄主选择进化；2)科学和教育的演变。这项工作测试了一种发现形态特征的新方法，利用公众参与，并源于未经训练的观察者识别被专家忽视的模式的观察。好奇的孩子是理想的未经训练的观察者。研究者将与教师合作，参观教室，解释研究，并向学生寻求帮助（我们如何区分这些苍蝇？）这个过程为研究者创造了新的角色，并使学生和教师参与到解决科学问题的过程中来。方法和合作包括：与哥伦比亚大学的志愿者一起在哥斯达黎加、墨西哥、秘鲁和委内瑞拉进行实地工作；同工酶 电泳;细胞学;小学科学整合项目中教师与儿童的形态特征发现以及系统发育分析。这项研究意义重大，因为它将产生并整合系统学与生态学、科学、教育和公众之间的相互作用；并且，为这些交互提供一个强大的模型。该项目进一步推进了VPW项目的目标，即通过研究为女性提供在科学或工程领域发展的机会，并通过研究人员在东道国校园中作为榜样的知名度提高，鼓励其他女性在这些领域追求职业。在这个项目中，有助于实现第二个目标的拟议活动包括：与中小学教师和学生合作并对他们进行培训，并通过初级科学综合项目（UMBC）让他们参与研究；培训教师和志愿者利用国家水族馆资源进行实地工作；参加UMBC的两个系列研讨会；并担任大学校长妇女地位委员会的讲师。

Through a phylogenetic analysis of a monophyletic species group of Blepharoneura (Diptera: Tephritidae), sets of hypotheses are tested that address two major aspects: 1) evolution of host choice in phytophagous insects; 2) evolution of science and education. This effort tests a new method for discovering morphological characters, utilizing public involvement, and stems from observations that untrained observers recognize patterns overlooked by specialists. Curious children are ideal untrained observers. The investigator will work with teachers, visit classrooms, explain the research, and ask students for help (How can we tell these flies apart?). The process generates new characters for the investigator, and involves students and teachers in the process of working on a real problem in science. Methods and collaboration include: field work in Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela with volunteers from UMBC; isozyme electrophoresis; cytology; morphological character discovery with children and teachers in the elementary Science Integration Project, UMBC; and phylogenetic analysis. The study is significant because it will generate and integrate interactions between: systematics and ecology, and science, education, and the public; and, provide a powerful model for these interactions. The project furthers VPW program objectives to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in science or engineering through research, and to encourage other women to pursue careers in these areas through the investigators' enhanced visibility as role models on the host campuses. In this project, the proposed activities which contribute to the second objective include: working with and training elementary and middle school teachers and students, and involving them with research through the Elementary Science Integration Project (UMBC); training teachers and volunteers for field work using the National Aquarium resources; participating in two seminar series at UMBC; and serving as a lecturer for the University President's Commission on the Status of Women.