NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2013

肠道微生物和进化的互利共生和饮食lycaenid蝴蝶大多数lycaenid蝴蝶从事专门协会与蚂蚁，虽然大多数这些蚂蚁lycaenid相互作用被认为是互利共生的，许多是寄生虫，其中毛虫饲料的蚂蚁繁殖，蚂蚁倾向的昆虫，或直接在蚂蚁育雏。尽管灰蝶科蝴蝶的饮食、生活史和种间关系具有令人难以置信的多样性，但这一群体中饮食的演变以及由此产生的从互利共生到寄生的转变还没有得到很好的理解。本研究调查了灰蝶肠道细菌协会的分类，功能和进化维度，以探索肠道微生物与该组寄生生活方式和肉食性饮食进化有关的可能性。这是第一次研究共生肠道微生物在决定其宿主与自由生活的生物体之间的关系中的作用，包括从互利共生到寄生的进化转变。在哈佛大学的Naomi Pierce博士和马克斯普朗克化学生态学研究所的Martin Kaltenpoth博士的指导下，该项目解决了几个培训目标。具体目标包括研究员接受功能基因组学方法的培训，发展强大的教学技能，并获得将基因组学技术应用于生态和进化问题的经验。此外，研究员将继续积极参与旨在增加机会和在大波士顿地区及以外的代表性不足的学生的进步的外联活动。这项研究将为昆虫-微生物协会的生物学提供新的见解，并可能应用于人类健康，保护和害虫管理。

Gut microbes and the evolution of mutualism and diet in lycaenid butterfliesMost lycaenid butterflies engage in specialized associations with ants, and while the majority of these ant-lycaenid interactions are considered mutualistic, many are parasitic in which caterpillars feed on ant regurgitations, ant-tended insects, or directly on ant brood. Despite the incredible diversity of diets, life histories, and interspecific associations among lycaenid butterflies, the evolution of diet and resulting transitions from mutualism to parasitism within this group are not well understood. This research investigates the taxonomic, functional and evolutionary dimensions of the gut bacterial associations of lycaenid butterflies in order to explore the possibility that gut microbes are implicated in the evolution of parasitic lifestyles and carnivorous diets in this group. This is the first study of the role of symbiotic gut microbes in determining their hosts' associations with free-living organisms, including evolutionary shifts from mutualism to parasitism. With the guidance of Dr. Naomi Pierce at Harvard University and Dr. Martin Kaltenpoth at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, this project addresses several training goals. Specific aims include the Fellow receiving training in functional genomics methods, developing strong teaching skills, and gaining experience applying genomics techniques to ecological and evolutionary questions. Additionally, the Fellow will remain active in outreach activities aimed at increasing opportunities and advancement of underrepresented students in the greater Boston area and beyond. This research will provide novel insights into the biology of insect-microbe associations, with potential applications to human health, conservation, and pest management.