Analysing the roles of cospeciation and host-shifting in the evolution of behaviour and ecology of thrips associated with Australian Acacia [ 2003-01-20 - 2006-01-19 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr David Morris (Postdoctoral Fellow) ,  The Australian National University (Managed by)

Brief description Analysing the roles of cospeciation and host-shifting in the evolution of behaviour and ecology of thrips associated with Australian Acacia. The relationships and interactions between phytophagous thrips and their host Acacia species provide a system well suited to investigating mechanisms of macroevolution in the Australian arid-zone biota. In this project we will determine the relative importance of mechanisms such as cospeciation and host-shifting within this model system, and examine the influence of these mechanisms on the evolution of both the insects and the host-plants. It is expected that the results of this study will provide insights into the evolution of arid-zone biodiversity in Australia and the nature of insect/host-plant interactions.

Funding Amount $249,000

Funding Scheme Discovery Projects

View this grant in the ARC Data Portal