Phylogeny of the Genera of Entomobryidae (Collembola)Based on Nuclear DNA Sequences and Morphology

deb - 0075548 -博士。菲利普Soto-AdamesDr。佛蒙特大学的费利佩·索托·亚当斯（Felipe soto - adams）获得了一笔研究经费，用于研究一种非常不寻常的昆虫的进化，这种昆虫被称为弹尾虫（弹尾虫，非昆虫六足动物）。弹尾虫科是弹尾虫中最大的科，占该纲所有物种的21%。该科在世界范围内分布，在一些热带环境中，其种类和个体数量超过了所有其他类群。尽管存在这种多样性，但阐明它们的进化关系的工作相对较少。本项目旨在利用结合DNA序列和形态学的数据集，首次全面估计虫蛉科各属之间的系统发育关系。由此产生的系统发育将实现三个目标：澄清三个最大的属群之间的关系；检验先前关于Paronellidae有多种起源的假设；并为未来的研究提供急需的系统发育框架，以试图确定促成该家族成功多样化的因素。昆虫蛉科的所有属将被检查以完成它们的形态描述。由于形态特征本身可能无法解决某些关系，因此该数据集将与来自两个核基因的DNA序列相补充。延伸因子1- α (EF1-a)和核糖体小亚基（18S）是非常保守的基因，即使对单个跳尾也能通过聚合酶链反应快速和一致地扩增，其中一些跳尾长度为0.8mm或更短。尽管它们具有高度的序列保守性，但对初步数据的分析表明，结合形态学，这些基因可以在亚科水平上解决关系。长期存在的虫蛉科属间关系问题的解决将导致一个更稳定的分类，具有比现有系统更强的预测能力。此外，soto - adams博士将更新互联网上已有的虫蛉科属的密钥。鉴于最近越来越多地使用弹虫作为土壤健康指标，这将是农业昆虫学家的一个极好的辅助工具。土壤生物学家也将受益于分类的澄清

DEB-0075548Dr. Felipe Soto-AdamesDr. Felipe Soto-Adames at the University of Vermont has received a grant to study the evolution of a highly unusual group of insects known as springtails (Collembola, non-insect hexapods). Entomobryidae is the largest family of springtails accounting for 21% of all species described in the class. The family has a world wide distribution and in some tropical settings surpasses all other groups in number of species and individuals. Despite this diversity relatively little work has been done to elucidate their evolutionary relationships. This project is aimed at providing the first comprehensive estimate of phylogenetic relationships among genera of Entomobryidae using a data set that combines DNA sequences and morphology. The resulting phylogeny will accomplish three objectives: clarify relationships among the three largest groups of genera; test previous hypotheses suggesting a polyphyletic origin for Paronellidae; and provide amuch needed phylogenetic framework for future studies attempting to identify factors contributing to the successful diversification of this family. All genera of Entomobryidae will be examined to complete their morphological descriptions. Because morphological characters alone may not resolve some relationships, this data set will be complemented with DNA sequences from two nuclear genes. Elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-a) and the small subunit of the ribosome (18S) are very conserved genes which allow rapid and consistent amplification via the polymerase chain reaction even for single individual springtails, some of which are 0.8mm long or less. Despite their high degree of sequence conservation analysis of preliminary data shows that in combination with morphology these genes can resolve relationships at the subfamily level. Resolution of the long standing problems of relationships among genera of Entomobryidae will result in a more stable classification, with more predictive power than the current system. In addition, Dr. Soto-Adames will update the key to genera of Entomobryidae already available in the internet. This key will be an excellent aid for agricultural entomologists given the recent increased use of Collembola as indicators of soil health. Soil biologists will also benefit from clarifications of the taxonomy