Dissertation Research: Phylogenetic relationships among Heliconiiti genera (Lep., Nymphalidae)

9321589吉尔伯特这个项目将利用形态(来自所有生命阶段)和分子(来自线粒体DNA基因组12S区域的序列数据)数据来研究两个属的西番莲蝴蝶的系统发育或物种之间的关系模式。对这些令人着迷的昆虫已经做了很多研究，一个充分证实的系统发育将允许测试几个关于繁殖策略、寄主植物联想和拟态的假说。这些热带蝴蝶代表着一个重要的模型系统，用于研究捕食者躲避和行为生态学其他重要领域的模仿模式。对这组蝴蝶物种之间的关系的良好了解将加强对它们生物学中的拟态、寄主植物协会和其他特征的了解。研究这样的模式系统有助于我们理解昆虫种群及其在寄主植物群丛中的转移，从而揭示寄主转移的机制，例如当新的农作物害虫开始造成经济问题时发生的转移。***

9321589 GILBERT This project will utilize both morphological (from all life stages) and molecular (sequence data from the 12S region of the mtDNA genome) data to address phylogeny or the pattern of relationships among species in two genera of passion-vine butterflies. Much research has already been done with these fascinating insects and a well substantiated phylogeny will allow testing of several hypotheses concerning reproductive strategies, host plant associations and mimicry. %%% These tropical butterflies represent an important model system for studying patterns of mimicry in predator avoidance and other important areas of behavioral ecology. Sound knowledge of the relationships among species in this group of butterflies will enhance understanding of mimicry, host plant associations and other features of their biology. Studying such model systems can contribute to our understanding of insect groups and their shifts in host plant associations, thereby shedding light on mechanisms of host shifts such as those that occur when new insect pests of crops begin posing economic problems. ***