DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolution of an aerial syndrome in owlflies (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae)

虽然大多数活着的昆虫都能飞，但它们的空中能力在不同的种群之间差别很大。猫头蝇(Neuroptera：Ascalaphidae)是为数不多的表现出高度专业化的“空中综合症”的昆虫之一，其特征是在飞行过程中交配、捕获猎物和吃掉猎物的能力。这种独特的行为综合征的起源和演变所涉及的因素从未被详细研究过。这个项目将通过新的分类学和系统发育工作来调查猫头鹰综合症的发展及其对其进化史的影响。这项工作将为通过高级解剖学和行为适应的融合而在动物身上反复出现的新的生活史策略提供更多的见解--这是一个非常有概念意义的领域，因为这些新策略的发展可能是特定血统更广泛地辐射到以前未被占领的利基环境的先决条件。该奖项的支持将通过促进新的合作以及支持实地工作和研究收藏访问来加强神经翼手系统学方面的论文研究。这项工作还将通过与基于网络的Lacewing数字图书馆项目的合作，促进开发和推广新的工具，用于汇总和传播关于神经翼目昆虫的全球信息。

Although most living insects are capable of flight, their aerial abilities vary widely from group to group. Owlflies (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) are one of the few groups of insects that exhibit a highly specialized "aerial syndrome", characterized by the ability to mate, capture prey, and consume prey, all while on the wing. The factors involved in the origin and evolution of this distinctive behavioral syndrome have never been examined in detail. This project will investigate -- through new taxonomic and phylogenetic work -- the development of the syndrome in owlflies and its influence on their evolutionary history. This work will provide additional insights into the repeated emergence of novel life history strategies that occur in animals through the convergence of advanced anatomical and behavioral adaptations -- an area of considerable conceptual interest, as the development of these new strategies may be a prerequisite for the broader radiation of particular lineages into previously unoccupied niches. Support from this award will enhance dissertation research in neuropteran systematics by enabling new collaborations and by supporting fieldwork and research collection visits. The work will also contribute to the development and extension of new tools for aggregating and disseminating global information on neuropterid insects through its collaborations with the web-based Lacewing Digital Library project.