Dissertation Research: Phylogeography and Coevolution in Yuccas and Yucca Moths

[摘要]本项目将通过对地理结构的共同进化和历史的明确假设进行检验，扩大对互惠互动中导致欺骗的环境的论文研究。丝兰和丝兰蛾之间的专性授粉互惠是共同进化的经典例子之一，也是探索互惠逆转的一个很好的模型系统，因为它包括衍生的不授粉的“作弊”蛾。利用这种相互作用，将测试三个具体的预测，以确定局部适应如何驱动植物与蛾的相互作用和共同进化的变化。该项目将特别关注寄主植物丝兰的系统地理学和花形态。基于AFLP数据的系统地理分析将在整个植物范围内进行，结果用于测试假设，包括与现有的花性状变异和蛾类系统地理模式数据集的比较。这项研究将提供第一个数据集来提取互惠共生的历史和适应性成分。

AbstractPellmyr/SeagravesThis project will expand dissertation research on the circumstances leading to cheating in mutualistic interactions by testing explicit hypotheses on geographically structured coevolution and history. The obligate pollination mutualism between yuccas and yucca moths is one of the classical examples of coevolution, and an excellent model system to explore mutualism reversal as it includes derived non-pollinating 'cheater' moths. Using this interaction, three specific predictions will be tested on how local adaptation drives variation in plant-moth interactions and coevolution. The project will specifically focus on phylogeography and floral morphology of the host plant Yucca filamentosa. Phylogeographic analysis based on AFLP data will be performed across the plant range, and the results used to test hypotheses that involve comparisons with existing data sets on floral trait variation and moth phylogeographic patterns. This study will provide one of the first data sets to extract both the historical and adaptive components of a mutualism.