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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
A Race Against Time: Deciphering Evolution And Describing New Species Of Threatened Tropical Stick Insects (Phasmatodea), Michael F. Whiting
A Race Against Time: Deciphering Evolution And Describing New Species Of Threatened Tropical Stick Insects (Phasmatodea), Michael F. Whiting
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Funding was received in 2016 to support mentored research into the phylogeny and evolution of stick insects. Specific goals include providing students with scientific design experience, field-based research experience, collections-based experience, molecular lab experience, bioinformatics experience, and experience in presentation at national meetings and publication in peer reviewed journals. One particular focus was to describe new stick insect species, but it became clear very quickly that the phylogeny portion of this work was essential before any new species could be described, so we concentrated our efforts on stick insect phylogeny. The following is a brief summary of accomplishments.
Proposal Of A New Genus And A New Species Of Chrysomelid Beetle, E. Russell Anderson, Shawn Clark
Proposal Of A New Genus And A New Species Of Chrysomelid Beetle, E. Russell Anderson, Shawn Clark
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The beetle family Chrysomelidae contains many species and genera which are of agricultural importance, which can cause millions of dollars of damage. While studying Triarius, a genus largely overlooked among Chrysomelidae because of its low agricultural impact, we have recognized that Triarius vittipennis (Horn, 1893) differs markedly from other species in several characters that we regard as key. Accordingly, we propose a new genus to accommodate T. vittipennis, as well as a new Mexican species which we are describing and naming now. Additionally, we are describing a second new species, which we place in the genus Triarius.
Investigation Of Visual Systems In A New Species Of Firefly, Yelena Pacheco, Dr. Seth Bybee
Investigation Of Visual Systems In A New Species Of Firefly, Yelena Pacheco, Dr. Seth Bybee
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Fireflies are well known for their bioluminescent flashes causing them to be a particular group of interest concerning insect vision research. Their flashes are used for both sexual communication and as an aposematic warning to predators. Bioluminescent fireflies are known to use either a yellow-green flash or a yellow-orange flash to communicate between sexes in order to find a mate. There have been many studies concerning flash patterns’ role in sexual communication among fireflies; however, the understanding of firefly vision as a whole allows for many more untouched research possibilities. As a member of the Bybee lab I had the …