Reference no: EM134737 , Length: 8

Unraveling the Origins of Social Parasitism in Megalomyrmex Ants

Dissertation writing help on Unraveling the Origins of Social Parasitism in Megalomyrmex Ants

Graduate Program: Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior

Custom Dissertation Writing Service: Integrative approach of phylogenetics and behavioral ecology techniques

Question 1: Did social parasitism evolve once in the Megalomyrmex genus? If so, the parasites will form a monophyletic group. Otherwise, if social parasitism evolved multiple times, the parasites may form a polyphyletic group.

Question 2: Did social parasitism arise from behaviors related to a primarily predatory lifestyle, subsequent the Predation Hypothesis? Behaviors involved in interspecific interactions, adding chemical communication and host suppression, will be investigated.

Proposed Research    

 To identify chemical infiltration mechanisms, each Megalomyrmex species will be analyzed by Dr. Jones using gas chromatographic-mass spectral analyses. The predominant alkaloids found in the social parasites and their sister species may be diluted and synthesized into solvent (ethanol). These dilutions as well as the venom sac contents will be tested in bioassays to evaluate what behavioral responses may be elicited from exposure.