SPP 2349 - Subproject: Recurrent genomic dynamics linked to parallel evolution of secondary phytophagy in Hymenoptera

Basic data for this project

Description

This research project focuses on evolutionary processes that shaped the diversity of nutritional adaptations and genomic dynamics in phytophagous Hymenoptera. The phytophagous lifestyle is a key innovation in insects and has evolved in only one third of all insect orders. The evolution of phytophagy likely involves fundamental behavioural and morphological changes accompanied by chemosensory and metabolic adaptations. Our project focuses on the fundamental clades Aculeata and Chalcidoidea and aims to understand the genomic architecture in representative groups that are linked to the transitions to secondary herbivory.