DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Systematics and Diversification of the Aderidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea): Elucidating the Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism

Aderidae是一个中等多样性的甲虫家族，包含1，200种，居住在除南极洲外的所有大陆，目前被分类为45属。 Aderidae在波罗的海、多米尼加、墨西哥和黎巴嫩的琥珀内含物中也有丰富的化石记录。 许多物种表现出不同程度的两性异形，一些栖息在洞穴系统，有些是白蚁的社会寄生虫。 这项研究将是第一个使用现代分子系统学方法研究该家族内的进化关系。 该项目特别强调目前未充分利用的形态学成像方法。 将对这些化石标本的形态学数据进行评估，并将其纳入分析，以检查进化事件的历史时间，例如两性异形的进化。除了发现和描述现存物种和化石物种外，该项目还将修订Aderidae的分类。 现存标本和化石标本的数据的完整整合，使这成为一个典范的多学科研究，将调查这些甲虫的多样性在一个时间框架内。 这项研究的结果将通过在研究会议和当地科学咖啡馆的演讲广泛传播，以提高社区的科学意识。

The Aderidae is a moderately diverse beetle family containing 1,200 species that inhabit all continents except Antarctica and are currently classified into 45 genera. Aderidae also has a rich fossil record in Baltic, Dominican, Mexican, and Lebanese amber inclusions. Many species exhibit varying degrees of sexual dimorphism, several inhabit cave systems, and some are social parasites of termites. This study will be the first to investigate evolutionary relationships within this family using modern molecular systematic methods. This project specifically emphasizes currently under-utilized morphological imaging methods. The morphological data from these fossil specimens will be evaluated and included in analyses in order to examine the historical timing of evolutionary events, such as the evolution of sexual dimorphism.This project will produce a revised classification for the Aderidae in addition to the discovery and description of extant and fossil species. The complete integration of data from extant and fossil specimens makes this an exemplar multi-disciplinary study that will investigate the diversification of these beetles within a temporal framework. Results from this research will be broadly disseminated through presentations at research conferences and local science cafés to promote scientific awareness in the community.