Insect-Plant and Multitrophic Interactions
In collaboration with national and international researchers, we research the systematics, phylogeography, biology and host associations of strictly host-specific (monophagous) or narrowly host-specific (oligophagous) organisms, and co-speciation and co-evolutionary events involved in multitrophic interactions.
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Systematics & Co-evolution of Insect Herbivores on Casuarinas: Testing Phylogenetic Congruence for Selection of Plant Biocontrol Agents
This project is investigating the sytematics, phylogeography and biology (including host specificity and co-evolution with host plants) of the insect herbivores associated with the Austro-Malesian Casuarina and the Australian endemic Allocasuarina (Casuarinaceae).
In this study, morphological and molecular studies and comparative phylogenetic analyses are being used to elucidate co-speciation, phylogeography, biology and host plant associations between herbivore and host in highly host-specific insect taxa.
In addition to contributing to the documentation of the Australian fauna and elucidating evolutionary processes in casuarina-inhabiting insects, these studies will provide novel phylogenetic evidence for the host specificity of potential biological control herbivores in programs against certain weed species overseas.
Investigators
Collaborators
Matthew Purcell (USDA-ARS, Australian Biological Control Lab., CSIRO Entomology) and Nancy Schellhorn (CSIRO Entomology).
This project is funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant, with USDA Agricultural Research Service, Office of International Research Programs and the South Australian Museum as industry partners.
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Tritrophic Interactions Between Nematodes, Insects & their Host Plants
Two speciose groups of Australian, insect-associated nematodes are being investigated. One of these is the systematics, biology and co-speciation of the unique species-specific mutualism between Fergusonina flies (Diptera: Fergusoninidae) and Fergusobia nematodes (Tylenchida: Sphaerulariidae) causing galls on Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and other Myrtaceae. The other is the systematics, biology and co-speciation of the mutualism between Schistonchus nematodes (Aphelenchida: Aphelenchoididae) and fig-pollinating wasps (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae), from fig sycones.
In both these studies, morphological and molecular analyses of highly host-specific associations between insect, nematode and host are being generated (with comparative phylogenetic analyses at the tritrophic level) to investigate tritrophic models of co-co-speciation and evolution, including incidences of host switching and possible hybridization during their evolution.
Investigators
Collaborators
Our collaborators include Assoc. Prof. Robin Giblin-Davis (University of Florida), Dr Sonya Scheffer (Systematic Entomology, USDA, Agricultural Research Service) and Prof. W. Kelley Thomas and Dr Weimin Ye (University of New Hampshire).
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Systematics, Phylogeography & Biology of Australian Jumping Plant Lice (Hemiptera: Psylloidea)
This project is investigating the sytematics, phylogeography and biology (including host specificity and co-evolution with host plants) of Australian jumping plant-lice and lerp insects.
These include a radiation of Acizzia (Psyllidae) on Australian and New Guinean mistletoes (Loranthaceae), Acizzia of economic importance on various horticultural crops, such as eggplant and chinese gooseberry (Solanaceae) (with Debbie Kent), and short-range endemic and endangered Acizzia on endangered species of Acacia (Fabaceae) (with Melinda Moir).
The Psylloidea are often highly host specific (with potential for biological control), vectors of economically important plant diseases (with implications for biosecurity), short-range endemics (with high conservation status) and with notable endemic Australian radiations, making them ideal candidates for comparative phylogenetic and co-evolutionary studies.
Investigators
Collaborators
Dr Debbie Kent (NSW Department of Primary Industries) and Dr Melinda Moir (University of Melbourne).