Progress 11/01/11 to 10/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:1- Taxonomists and systematists working with parasitic Hymenoptera 2- Scientists, professionals, and industry personnel working with biological control, natural control, or IPM Changes/Problems:none What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Numerous personnel were trained, including the following: 9. Erin Maxson, M.S. student, studied the natural enemies associated with sugar cane aphid on sorghum in Texas. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through publications and conference papers as outlined above. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1- Taxonomic revisions were published for the mali and asychis groups of Aphelinus (Aphelinindae), and for the flavopalliata group of Signiphora (Signiphoridae). Molecular systematics work provided a firm foundation for phylogenetic relationships in Aphelinus and Signiphora. 2- The MX system provided an interactive, on-line platform to aggregate all information and data associated with taxonomic work, including DNA sequences, bibligraphic and taxonomic histories, distribution information from label data, and digital images. 3- Both the mali and asychis groups contain complexes of cryptic species, which were addressed using a combination of molecular and morphological data. Additional complexes of cryptic species were studied in the asychis group and subgenus Mesidia of Aphelinus. 4- Major additions to the Texas A&M University Insect Collection resulted from this project, which included extensive field work in the US, Mexico and Peru during the term of this project.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Vladimir E. Gokhman, Kristen L. Kuhn, James B. Woolley, and Keith R. Hopper (2017). Variation in genome size and karyotype among closely related parasitoids of aphid. Comparative Cytogenetics 11(1): 97-117.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Xanthe A. Shirley, James B. Woolley, Keith R. Hopper (2017). Revision of the asychis species group of Aphelinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 54: 1-32.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Keith R. Hopper, Kathryn Lanier, Joshua H. Rhoades, Dominique Coutinot, Guy Mercadier, Nathalie Ramualde, Marie Roche, James B. Woolley and John M. Heraty, (2017). Host specificity of Aphelinus species considered for introduction to control Diuraphis noxia. Biological Control 107: 21-32.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
James B. Woolley and A. Dal Molin (2017). Taxonomic revision of the flavopalliata species group of Signiphora (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae). Zootaxa 4315(1): 1-150.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Michael J. Brewer, John W. Gordy, David L. Kerns, James B. Woolley, William L. Rooney, and Robert D. Bowling. Sugarcane Aphid Infesting Grain Sorghum Hybrids in North America: Aphid Population Growth, Plant Response, and Natural Enemies. Accepted by Journal of Economic Entomology, June 2017.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Keith R. Hopper, Kathryn Lanier, Joshua H. Rhoades, Kim A. Hoelmer, William G. Meikle, George E. Heimpel, Robert J. ONeil, David G. Voetglin, James B. Woolley. Host specificity of Aphelinus species collected from soybean aphid in Asia. Accepted by Biological Control, September 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Woolley, J.B. 2016. There is more than one way to jump: Encyrtidae, Eupelmidae and the interplay between phylogenomics and morphology . Symposium Presentation, International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL. Sept. 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Woolley, J.B., E. Maxson, and M. Brewer. 2016. Natural enemies of sugarcane aphid on sorghum in Texas: the most important species. Sugarcane aphid management symposium. Entomological Society of America, Southwest Branch Meeting. Feb 24, 2016, Tyler, TX (invited symposium presentation).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Species composition and seasonality of the natural enemies of sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) on susceptible and resistant sorghum. Erin Maxson, Michael Brewer, and James B. Woolley. International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL. Sept. 2016. (Graduate student competition, oral presentations).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Species composition and seasonality of the natural enemies of sugarcane aphid on susceptible and resistant sorghum. Erin Maxson�(elmaxson@tamu.edu), Michael Brewer�and James Woolley, Entomological Society of America, Southwest Branch Meeting. Feb 24, 2016, Tyler, TX (Graduate Student Poster Competition, Second Place).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
An updated checklist of the bees of the Commonwealth of Dominica (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila). Shelby Kilpatrick, Jason Gibbs, and James B. Woolley. International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL. Sept. 2016. (First Place, Undergraduate student competition, oral presentations).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
A survey of Odontomachus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and general observations of nesting preferences in the Commonwealth of Dominica in the West Indies. Andrew Graf and James B. Woolley. International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL. Sept. 2016. (Undergraduate student competition, oral presentations
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
A comparison of spider family diversity on vegetation between primary rainforest and secondary rainforest . Ryan Selking and James B. Woolley. (International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL. Sept. 2016. (Second Place, Undergraduate student competition, oral presentations).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Variation in sorghum hybrid sensitivity and natural enemy activity provides opportunities for integrated management of sugarcane aphid . Michael Brewer, Erin Maxson, John Gordy, Robert Bowling and James B. Woolley. International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL. Sept. 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Phylogenetic relationships among species in Aphelinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Xanthe Shirley, Keith R. Hopper, Kristen Kuhn, and James B. Woolley. International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL. Sept. 2016. (Graduate student competition, oral presentations).
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Entomologists, insect taxonomists, researchers and practitioners of IPM, biological and natural control Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1- M.S. student Xanthe Shirley has participated in all aspects of the taxonomic revision of Aphelinus. As part of her thesis research, she has primary responsibility for revision of the asychis species group, the comparative morphological survey of glands in the male scape, development of a suite of mophological characters for phylogenetic analysis, and phylogenetic analysis of genomic level DNA sequence data generated by collaborator Keith Hopper, USDA/ARS. 2- M.S. student Erin Maxson is co-chaired by Mike Brewer, also Texas A&M University. Erin's thesis research includes extensive surveys of natural enemies of sugar cane aphid on sorghum in plots in south Texas (Corpus Christie area) and central Texas (College Station area). She is taking extensive quantitative data on seasonal abundance of natural enemies, and making preliminary assessments of their impact on both susceptible and resistant sorghum varieties. 3- Lab technician Bryant McDowell was trained in specimen preparation, data entry, and digital imaging of both slide-mounted and card-mounted specimens, using advanced digital microscopy including focus-stacking techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?1- In journal articles and conference papers and posters as described above. 2- We are preparing an electronic guide to natural enemies of sugar cane aphid on sorghum, including color photographs, for dissemination to extension specialists and IPM practitoners. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1- Taxonomic revisions of Signiphoridae described above will be published. 2- Taxonomic revision of Aphelinus will continue. We should complete all imaging and scoring of character data during the next reporting period, and proceed to description of new species and redescription of valid species, preparation of identification keys, etc. 3- Survey of natural enemies of sugar cane aphid in sorghum will continue. Since we have now identified all of the most common species present in the complex of natural enemies, we will proceed to comparative assessment of the seasonal abundance and impact of each species through the season. Particular attention will be directed to the interaction between Aphelinus, the most common primary parasitoid, and Syrphophagus, the most common hyperparasitoid.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1- Species-level revisions of flavopalliata group of Signiphora, and Thysanus and Clytina completed (all Signiphoridae). The manuscripts are extensively illustrated with digital color illustrations of all pertinent morphological characters. 2- Considerable progress was made on the taxonomic revision of Aphelinus species of the world, including extensive imaging and recording of morphological character data, using the MX taxonomic content management system as a framework. Extensive preparation of specimens including critical-point-drying of specimens in alcohol, card-mounting and labelling, and preparation of microscope slides. Label information for all new material acquired, including large loans from Natural History Museum, London, and National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC., was recorded and all specimens were georeferenced. Type material of Aphelinus species was studied in Natural History Museum, London, Natural History Museum, Vienna, Natural History Museum, Budapest, and Zoological Institute, St. Petersburg. 3- A survey of the glands on the antennal scape segment in male Aphelinus was made across the genus, using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that there is considerable variation in the location and structure of these glands, which provides valuable new characters for taxonomic analysis. 4- Amino acid sequence data extracted from whole genome sequences of 10 species of Aphelinus by collaborator Keith Hopper were analyzed to select 115 structural genes with good properties for phylogenetic analysis. Maximum parsimony analysis and maximum likelihood analysis of the data confirm earlier results obtained with SNP markers. 5- A survey of natural enemies of sugar cane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, on sorghum in Texas and other states was intiated. Intensive field studies were conducted of aphids in both sprayed and unsprayed plots of sorghum in south and central Texas, including careful inventory and counts of aphids and all natural enemies present. Results indicate that a rich complex of natural enemies is present throughout the production season. Predators include several species of Coccinellidae, Syrphidae and Chrysopidae. Aphelinus (Aphelinidae) are by far the most common primary parasitoids present, although they appear to be heavily impacted by hyperparasitoids, Syrphophagus (Encyrtidae) as aphid populations mature. Lysiphebus (Braconidae) is present but in trace amounts. Molecular sequence data indicate that the Aphelinus attacking sugar cane aphid in sorghum is a distinct, but cryptic species, that appears to be undescribed.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Kristen L. Kuhn, James B. Woolley, and Keith R. Hopper (Submitted 2015). Genome size variation among closely related aphelinid parasitoids of aphids. PLOS One
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Gebiola, Marco; Monti, Maurilia; Johnson, Roishene; Woolley, James; Hunter, Martha; Giorgini, Massimo; Pedata, Paolo. "A revision of the Encarsia pergandiella species complex (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) shows cryptic diversity in parasitoids of whitefly pests." (Submitted to Systematic Entomology, Nov. 2015, in review).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Taxonomic revisions and biodiversity informatics: Lessons learned. Ana Dal Molin and James Woolley, Annual Meeting, Entomological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN, November, 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Survey of morphological structures on male scape of Aphelinus. Xanthe Shirley and James Woolley, Annual Meeting, Entomological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN, November, 2015.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Entomologists including taxonomists and systematists of parasitic Hymenoptera, researchers in agricultural entomology including insect ecology, natural and biological control of insect pests, and researchers interested in biodiversity and conservation of natural resources. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Anamaria Dal Molin, Ph.D. student, Texas A&M University, substantially completed her dissertation on phylogenetics, systematics and taxonomy of Signiphoridae. She will defend and graduate in Fall semester, 2014 Xanthe Shirley, M.S. student, Texas A&M University, is being trained in all aspects of the project. Her thesis will concentrate on taxonomy of the asychis species group, and on phylogenetic study of the entire family. She is currently responsible for development and data entry for all aspects of the MX data management system relevant to the project. During year two her committee has been established and a Degree Plan was filed, outlining required course work. Itzel Cetina, Texas A&M University, worked through summer of 2014 as a half time technician on the project. Her previous background and professional experience were in the medical sciences, so she learned many new skills, including optimum methods for mounting and labeling both slide-mounted and card-mounted specimens, the MX system for data management, digitization of specimen label data and georeferencing, and digital imaging methods including paste-up of images for taxonomic publication. Bryant McDowell, Texas A&M University, recent Entomology graduate, began work as a half-time technician in October of 2014. He has largely taken over the duties formerly performed by Itzel Cetina, and as a result is learning many new skills that will be useful in his career. He is contemplating graduate work in Entomology starting Fall of 2015. Bethany Lefner, Texas A&M University, undergraduate Entomology major, has continued to help with digital imaging, key-punching of Texas A&M University material into the Texas A&M University Insect Collection database, and georeferencing of specimens. She has also pursued an independent, individual research project investigating the species specificity of rainbow-like color patterns in wings of Aphelinus produced by oblique illumination. This year we have concentrated on teaching Bethany advanced methods for digital imaging. Courtney Hendler, Texas Texas A&M University, undergraduate Entomology major, began work on the project in Fall 2014 as a student worker, concentrating on specimen preparation (primarily point- and card-mounting) and curation, georeferencing of material, and preparation of complex data files for batch uploads to MX. Ada Esli Morales, Texas A&M University, undergraduate Entomology major, has worked on an independent research project for her undergraduate degree. Ada has prepared an electronic, multiple entry key to North American genera of Aphelinidae using Lucid software. The project entailed learning morphological character systems new to her, scoring these characters across exemplars of the genera, and advanced digital imaging methods to illustrate the key. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? “Phylogenetic structure of Aphelinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) confirmed by phylogenomics: implications for evolution of courtship and oviposition behavior.” Jim Woolley, Keith Hopper, Xanthe Shirley, Kristen Kuhn. 8th Congress, International Society of Hymenopterists, Cusco, Peru, July 2014 “Phylogenetics of Aphelinus inferred from next-generation sequencing data”, Xanthe Shirley, Keith Hopper, Kristen Kuhn, and James Woolley, poster presentation, Graduate Student Poster Competition, Annual Meeting, Entomological Society of America, Portland, OR, November 2014. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Complete scoring of morphological characters in MX for all material available at Texas A&M University Complete libraries of standard images for all species available for study In collaboration with USDA-ARS Newark, conduct phylogenetic analyses of Aphelinus species and outgroups, integrating both morphological and molecular data when possible. Explore model-based approaches to the SNP’s data. Synthesize morphological data, image data, collection data, and molecular phylogenetics data to form robust taxonomic concepts for all species and species groups of Aphelinus Compare putative species concepts with type material to insure correct application of taxonomic names. This will require travel to several museums in Europe housing large collections of type material. Prepare species descriptions and diagnoses for all taxa to be treated, and prepare manuscripts for publication. complete and publish manuscripts for revisions of flavopalliata group of Signiphora, genus Thysanus, genus Clytina, and review of world species of Chartocerus
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
59 O.T.U.’s of Aphelinus (representing putative species or specimens from a single collecting event) were scored for a complex of 70 morphological characters characterizing aspects of wings, antennae, mesosomal sclerites, metasomal sclerites, coloration of all body regions, and both female and male genitalia. The data were scored directly into the on-line, MX Taxonomic Content Management system used for coordination of all project data. The 59 O.T.U.s represent representatives of all putative species groups in Aphelinus. These data will be used to support taxonomic decisions regarding species, and for inference of phylogenetic relationships across species. To date during year two, a total of 209 new microscope slides have been prepared. Specimens were chosen to represent taxonomic diversity across putative species or populations in all species groups of Aphelinus. Specimens are mounted in Canada Balsam and wings and antennae are dissected for optimal digital imaging. This brings the total number of slide-mounted specimens available for use in the project to 1010. Graduate Student Xanthe Shirley travelled to Canadian National Collection, Ottawa, and National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC, to pick through unsorted samples of Chalcidoidea representing collections worldwide to obtain specimens of Aphelinus for both morphological taxonomy and extraction of DNA. 108 specimens were obtained from NMNH and 299 from CNC, representing all species groups of Aphelinus plus the outgroups Centrodora, Aphytis and Hirtaphelinus. Production and assembly of standard sets of digital images for putative and candidate species were continued. 108 digital images were obtained from slide mounts, 15 from specimens in alcohol, and two from card-mounts. Images are produced by assembly of stacks of serially focused images in ZereneStacker software, then passed to Adobe Lightroom for cropping and adjustment of exposure, contrast and white balance, and uploaded to MX. Field collections were made of Aphelinus from sugar cane aphid in sorghum and black-margined aphid on pecans in Texas, to obtain fresh material of critical species. Fresh specimens were also collected by collaborators in Texas, Arkansas, Hawaii, and México. Work continued on phylogenetics of Signiphoridae. Analysis of molecular data for approximately 80 O.T.U.'s of Signiphoridae and outgroups indicates that all genera are monophyletic except possibly Clytina. Species level taxonomic revisions were completed for Thysanus and Clytina. Substantial progress was made on revision of flavopalliata group of Signiphora, it is almost complete. A review of world species of Chartocerus was completed.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Menard, K.L. and J.B. Woolley. 2014. A Phylogenetic study of the generic relationships within the subtribe Leucophoropterina Schuh (Miridae: Phyinae: Leucophoropterini). Systematic Entomology 39: 412-430.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Karen E. Powers, L. Alan Prather, Joseph A, Cook, James Woolley, Henry L. Bart, Jr., Anna K. Monfils, and Petra Sierwald (In Press), Revolutionizing the Use of Natural History Collections in Education, The Science Education Review.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Kristen L. Kuhn, James B. Woolley, and Keith R. Hopper (Submitted Sept 2014, in review). Genome size variation among closely related aphelinid parasitoids of aphids. Heredity.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Andrew R. Deans1*, Suzanna E. Lewis2 , Eva Huala3,4 , Salvatore S. Anzaldo5 , Michael Ashburner6 , James P. Balhoff7 , David C. Blackburn8 , Judith A. Blake9 , J. Gordon Burleigh10, Bruno Chanet11 , Laurel D. Cooper12 , M�lanie Courtot13 , S�ndor Cs�sz14 , Hong Cui15, Wasila Dahdul16 , Sandip Das17 , Alexander T. Dececchi16 , Agnes Dettai11 , Rui Diogo18 , Robert E. Druzinsky19 , Michel Dumontier20 , Nico M. Franz5 , Frank Friedrich21 , Georgios V. Gkoutos22 , Melissa Haendel23 , Luke J. Harmon24 , Terry F. Hayamizu25 , Yongqun He26 , Heather M. Hines1, Nizar Ibrahim27 , Laura M. Jackson16 , Pankaj Jaiswal12 , Christina James-Zorn28 , Sebastian K�hler29 , Guillaume Lecointre11 , Hilmar Lapp7 , Carolyn J. Lawrence30 , Nicolas Le Nov�re31 , John G. Lundberg32 , James Macklin33 , Austin R. Mast34 , Peter E. Midford35 , Istv�n Mik�1 , Christopher J. Mungall2 , Anika Oellrich36 , David Osumi-Sutherland36 , Helen Parkinson36 , Mart�n J. Ram�rez37 , Stefan Richter38 , Peter N. Robinson39 , Alan Ruttenberg40 , Katja S. Schulz41 , Erik Segerdell42 , Katja C. Seltmann43 , Michael J. Sharkey44 , Aaron D. Smith45 , Barry Smith46 , Chelsea D. Specht47 , R. Burke Squires48 , Sandrine Tercerie49, Robert W. Thacker50 , Anne E. Thessen51 , Jose Fernandez-Triana52 , Mauno Vihinen53 , Peter D. Vize54 , Lars Vogt55 , Christine E. Wall56 , Ramona Walls57 , Monte Westerfeld58 , Robert A. Wharton59 , Christian S. Wirkner38 , James B. Woolley59 , Matthew J. Yoder60 , Aaron M. Zorn28 , Paula M. Mabee16 (In Press, 2014), Finding our way through phenotypes. PLoS One.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Mar�a de Lourdes Ram�rez-Ahuja, Anamaria Dal Molin, Alejandro Gonz�lez-Hern�ndez, James B. Woolley, (Accepted 2014, returned for minor revisions), Sinopsis y clave para identificaci�n de especies de Signiphora (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae) de Mexico, con notas sobre su biolog�a y distribuci�n, Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Phylogenetics of Aphelinus inferred from next-generation sequencing data . Xanthe Shirley, Keith Hopper, Kristen Kuhn, and James Woolley, Annual Meeting, Entomological Society of America, Portland, OR, November, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Phylogenetic structure of Aphelinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) confirmed by phylogenomics: implications for evolution of courtship and oviposition behavior 8th International Congress of Hymenopterists, Cusco, Peru 20?25 July 2014.
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Entomologists including taxonomists and systematists of parasitic Hymenoptera, researchers in agricultural entomology including insect ecology, natural and biological control of insect pests, and researchers interested in biodiversity and conservation of natural resources. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The following personnel are being trained: Xanthe Shirley, M.S. student, Texas A&M University, is being trained in all aspects of the Aphelinus project. Her thesis will concentrate on taxonomy of the asychis species group, and on phylogenetic study of the entire family. She is currently responsible for development and data entry for all aspects of the MX data management system relevant to the project. She began her program in Fall semester of 2013. During the next project year we will formally establish her graduate committee. Anamaria Dal Molin, Ph.D. student, Texas A&M University is being trained in all aspects of the Signiphoridae. Her disseration will concentrate on new molecular evidence for phylogenetic relationships in the family, taxonomy of the genera Clytina, Thysanus and Chartocerus, and development of new bioinformatics infrastructure for systematics. Itzel Cetina, Texas A&M University, has been hired and trained as a half time technician on the project. Her previous background and professional experience was in the medical sciences, so she is learning many new skills, including optimum methods for mounting and labeling both slide-mounted and card-mounted specimens, the MX system for data management, digitization of specimen label data and georeferencing, and digital imaging methods including paste-up of images for taxonomic publication. Bethany Lefner, Texas A&M University, undergraduate Entomology major, is helping with curation of the pinned collection (approximately 24 Cornell drawers of material), including sorting specimens to unique collecting events, application of institutional bar-code labels or accession numbers, key-punching of Texas A&M University material into the Texas A&M University Insect Collection database, georeferencing of specimens. She is also pursuing an independent, individual research project investigating the species specificity of rainbow-like color patterns in wings of Aphelinus produced by oblique illumination. Alyssa Mann,Texas A&M University, undergraduate Entomology major conducted a Research Experience for Undergraduates project, funded by NSF, on the taxonomy of a species group of the genus Signiphora. She was also trained in contemporary software for producing interactive indentification keys and in advanced digital imaging methods. Corryn Cadena, Texas A&M University, undergraduate Entomology major, was trained in advanced methods of digital microscopy and digital imaging for taxonomic publications How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Two papers are in press, as resported above. “Phylogenetic Systematics of the Family Signiphoridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)”. Dal Molin, A., Woolley, J. B. Ecological Integration Symposium, College Station, TX, March 23, 2013. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? 1- The Signiphoridae project should be completed within the next reporting year, with the following publications anticipated: 1) Revision of the flavopalliata species group of Signiphora, 2) Revision of the bifasciata, dipterophaga and coleotrata species groups of Signiphora, 3) Revision of Thysanus and Clytian, 4) Taxonomic review of Chartocerus, 5) Phylogeny and revised classification of Signphoridae. 2- The following goals are for the Aphelinus project: Complete digitization of all label data for all pinned and slide-mounted specimens at Texas A&M University, including loaned material. Visit the following collections to sort and borrow additional material of Aphelinus, and to examine type material: U.C. Riverside, National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.; Natural History Museum, London; Canadian National Insect Collection; Zoological Institute, St. Petersburg; Natural History Museum, Vienna; Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest. Collect specimens at type localities to obtain high quality, topotypical specimens of targeted species. Complete scoring of morphological characters across all morphospecies in all species groups. This will require preparation of slide-mounts for exemplar specimens of each morphospecies. Begin production of standard sets of images of both sexes for each valid species, including habitus and coloration, antennae, frontal view of head, mesosoma, fore wing and hind wing, middle leg, metasoma including ovipositor, male genitalia. Begin phylogenetic analysis of combined morphological and molecular data, as available.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
An important part of the project was the Signiphoridae. These species are are commonly encountered parasitoids or hyperparasitoids of armored scales, mealybug, soft scales and associated fly parasitoids. The family appears to have a previously unknown and unexplored major diversity in the canopy of tropical forests, and they are extremely well represented and diverse in canopy-fogging samples from Peru and Ecuador, for example. Research has put web-based interactive identification tools (using Lucid and MX) in place that will enable confident identification of genera and species groups by anyone with access to a web browser, and will stabilize the taxonomy of the core genus Thysanus. A molecular phylogeny of the group is concodant with the earlier morphological hypothesis. 31 new species of Signiphora, 8 of Thysanus and one of Clytina have been identified, to be described in publications by Dal Molin and Woolley (in prep.). Undergraduates Bethany Lefner worked on specimen data capture and analysis of wing interference patters in Aphelinus, and Ayla Hernandez completed georeferencing of the flavopalliata group of Signiphora, and worked out protocols to produce on-line maps in GoogleMaps. Over 740 digital images of Signiphora have been produced. A second major emphasis of the project was on taxonomy of the genus Aphelinus. The following was accomplished during the reporting period: Texas A&M University collection of Aphelinus, including material borrowed from U.C. Berkeley, Australian National Insect Collection, Canadian National Insect Collection, Natural History Museum, London, U.C. Riverside, and other collections was completely reorganized. Approximately 2000 microscope slides were integrated and organized into a new slide cabinet dedicated to Aphelinus. Major loans were obtained from U.C. Riverside and Canadian National Insect Collection, and all specimens were sorted to morphospecies. Capture of specimen label data was completed for all microslides of borrowed specimens (approximately 700 slides) and is in progress for Texas A&M University material. All specimens now bear individual bar-codes or collection accession numbers. A new project for MX, the taxonomic data management system that forms the heart of the ARTS project, was established and populated, with the following components: comprehensive list of all species names including synonyms with details of taxonomic publications, pdf files of original descriptions and redescriptions including high quality scans of illustrations, a working set of 46 morphological characters (this is constantly being refined), listing of 1071 taxonomic publications related to the project. Scoring of morphological characters for exemplars of each series of specimens is underway, so far, specimens have been scored for species representing all 8 species groups and 4 subgenera of Aphelinus and 12 morphospecies in the asychis species group. Preparation of microscope slides was initiated for representative specimens of both sexes, concentrating on the asychis species group, for which we now have slide-mounts of male and female specimens (when available) for all morphospecies. A new system containing hardware and software for automated z-focusing and imaging was installed on the Olympus BH2 compound microscope, and personnel were trained in its use. This will greatly increase the throughput and quality for production of serially-focused digital images from slide-mounted specimens.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Menard, K.L., R.T. Schuh and J.B. Woolley. 2013. Total-evidence phylogenetic analysis and reclassification of the Phylinae (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae), with the recognition of new tribes and subtribes and a redefinition of Phylini. Cladistics (2013) 1-34.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Catanach, T.A., Dietrich, C.H. and J.B. Woolley. 2013. A revision of the New World sharpshooter genus Xyphon Hamilton (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae). Zootaxa, 2013.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1- Work on taxonomy of aphid parasitoids in the genus Aphelinus continued, with emphasis on the mali species group. Three new species were described in the mali complex and a key to the world species was produced. 2- A grant proposal was prepared and submitted to NSF to support a revision of world species of Aphelinus. The proposal was funded for a three year project that combines next generation sequencing technology and advanced digital imaging and bioinformatics technology with traditional morphological museum-based taxonomic methods. 3- Taxonomic work continued on the family Signiphoridae, supported by an award from NSF. In calendar year 2012 we concentrated on sorting out species in the dipterophaga, bifasciata and flavopalliata species group of Signiphora. Considerable material was mounted, labelled, slide-mounted and determined to species. Numerous new species were identified. To date we have identified 38 new species of Signiphora. A multiple-entry computer key was produced to the species in the dipterophaga group that will be placed on-line. A colleague and his student in Mexico colloborated on a project on Signiphoridae of Mexico, which also resulted in a thesis and a multiple-entry computer key. We obtained DNA sequences including 28s, 18s, and COI sequences for approximately 60 species of Signiphoridae and 20 species of outgroup taxa in related families. The data will be used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships, and for identification of cryptic species. 4- We collaborated on an international project to assemble a matrix of data for morphological characters scored across all subfamilies in all families of Chalcidoidea, and participated in the analysis and interpretation, resulting in a landmark publication. 5- A new collaborative project was initiated to study strains of Kneallhazia microsporidian parasites of imported fire ants in Texas, by phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included James B. Woolley, principal investigator, Anamaria Dal Molin, graduate student, and Alyssa Mann and Bethany Lefner, undergraduate research students and student workers. TARGET AUDIENCES: Researchers on biological control of insect pests, evolutionary biologists, taxonomists, phylogeneticists, and biogeographers. Collection data is relevant to conservation biology, management of natural resources, and studying the impact of climate change on complex biotas. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
1- At least one of the new species of Aphelinus described in the mali complex is a candidate for release for biological control of soybean aphid. 2- Revised taxonomy of Aphelinus will support biological control work on aphids worldwide, as these are primary sources of natural enemies for aphid control. A confused taxonomy presently inhibits their use. 3- Research on Signiphoridae will be disseminated via electronic publications and other electronic products such as on-line species pages and keys. 4- This project resulted in a landmark publication, and in addition, the data matrix assembled will be placed on-line and made available for future researchers to build on and use. 5- Kneallhazia parasites are under study as potential mortality factors and control organisms for imported fire ants. Our work will contribute to understanding their taxonomy, evolution, and possible co-evolution with species of fire ants.
Publications
- Q. D. Wheeler, S. Knapp, D. W. Stevenson, J. Stevenson, S. D. Blum, B. M. Boom, G. G. Borisy, J. L. Buizer, M. R. De Carvalho, A. Cibrian, M. J. Donoghue, V. Doyle, E. M. Gerson, C. H. Graham, P. Graves, S. J. Graves, R. P. Guralnick, A. L. Hamilton, J. Hanken, W. Law, D. L. Lipscomb, T. E. Lovejoy, H. Miller, J. S. Miller, S. Naeem, M. J. Novacek, L. M. Page, N. I. Platnick, H. Porter-Morgan, P. H. Raven, M. A. Solis, A. G. Valdecasas, S. Van Der Leeuw, A. Vasco, N. Vermeulen, J. Vogel, R. L. Walls, E. O. Wilson & J. B. Woolley. 2011. Mapping the biosphere: exploring species to understand the origin, organization and sustainability of biodiversity. Systematics and Biodiversity, 10: 1, 1-20.
- Corso, A.E., J.B. Woolley and T.E. Lacher, Jr. 2012. Using digital photography and image analysis software to estimate the emergence of bats at Tou Santi Cave, Dominica, West Indies. Caribbean Journal of Science 46(2-3): 169-175.
- Hixon, S., A. Brooks, B. Miculka, C. Richmond, D. Warrendorf, A. Whitmire, B. Wilkins, T. E. Lacher, Jr., and J. B. Woolley. 2012. Wing morphology, flights speeds and insights into niche structure in Caribbean bats from Dominica. Chiroptera Neotropical 18(1): 1067-1073.
- Hopper, K., J.B. Woolley, K. Hoelmer, K. Wu, G.-X. Qiao, S. Lee. 2012. An identification key to species in the mali complex of Aphelinus (Hymenoptera: Chalcididoidea) with descriptions of three new species. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 26: 73-96.
- Heraty, J. M., Burks, R. A., Cruaud, A., Gibson, G. A. P., Liljeblad, J., Munro, J., Rasplus, J.-Y., Delvare, G., Jansta, P., Gumovsky, A., Huber, J., Woolley, J.B., Krogmann, L., Heydon, S., Polaszek, A., Schmidt, S., Darling, D. C., Gates, M.W., Mottern, J., Murray, E., DalMolin, A., Triapitsyn, S., Baur, H., Pinto, J. D., van Noort, S., George, J., Yoder, M. A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Megadiverse Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). In Press, Cladistics (2012) 1-77.
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