Project Details
Description
This project will examine the tri-trophic interactions between scale insects, their host plants, and their nutrient-providing microbial endosymbionts. Molecular phylogenetics and comparative approaches will be used to assess the role of ecological specialisation in macroevolutionary processes leading to speciation and biological diversity. Major shifts in host use, feeding strategy and primary endosymbiont associations will be inferred from phylogenies and analysed to determine whether they are accompanied by changes in rates of speciation. It is expected that the results of this study will provide insights into the evolution of the phytophagous insect fauna and the nature of insect/endosymbiont/host-plant interactions.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 29/07/05 → 1/08/06 |
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