Diversity and Evolution of Armored Scale Insects
The Normark Lab is seeking undergraduates for independent study projects.
We study armored scale insects (order Hemiptera, family Diaspididae). They are tiny blob-like creatures that feed on plants. Just about every aspect of their biology is pretty bizarre. They live on most of the world's trees and shrubs, and many of them are pests, but they remain poorly understood. Our lab has been studying them for over 20 years and has a large collection of DNAs and specimens to study. In particular we have sampled them from hundreds of tree species in tropical rainforests worldwide, and have found over 100 new species that need to be described. Our research encompasses biodiversity, evolution, taxonomy, cytogenetics, and ecology.
Students pursuing independent study for credit conduct a variety of research projects, many of which draw upon the lab's collections of specimens, DNA's, DNA sequences, and associated data. Potential projects include: (1) learning to collect armored scale insects and mount them on microscope slides for identification; (2) learning to identify armored scale insect species, leading to an opportunity to describe new species; (3) improving the database of hostplant information, leading to opportunities for projects on evolutionary ecology; (4) phylogenetic analysis of armored scale insects, leading to opportunities for projects studying species delimitation and evolutionary history. Independent study projects typically require 9 hours/week (3 credits per semester). Alternative numbers of hours and credits possible if appropriate.
Work in my lab would give you an opportunity to participate in the discovery of new species, and to help us figure out how many species are on the planet Earth and the processes that have shaped that diversity. This is a good opportunity for students interested in evolution, insects, or natural history collections.