Submitted by Patrick O'Grady on
A provisional list of Canacidae (Beach Flies) from Hawaii has been collected over
this past summer. Improvement upon the phylogeny across Canacidae can be
used as a hypothesis-testing framework on how flies have adapted to multiple
ecological niches from saline environments to freshwater ecosystems. While
many of these flies are found around the world, one lineage in the Hawaiian
Islands has lost the ability to tolerate saline habitats and currently occupies high
elevation freshwater streams. Organizing collection information and developing
identification keys to this important group will bring us closer to understanding the
impressive biodiversity of these tropical islands.
This project will involve curating a large number of fly collections from Hawaii.
Students will learn sorting and identification techniques, sample preparation
(insect pinning, genitalia dissection, slide mounting), GIS mapping, insect
curation, and molecular lab techniques (DNA extractions, PCRs, and
phylogenetic analysis).
No previous experience is necessary; students will be trained during their first
week in the laboratory.