Summer 2014 MAP Research Jackie Brown

Interest: Connecting evolution with ecology.Methods: Studies of morphology, behavior,

ecology, molecular population genetics, and phylogeny–Damselflies

• N. American Jewelwings (Calopteryx spp.)• Endemic Hawaiian radiation (Megalagrion spp.)

– Ants• Allegheny Mound Ant (Formica exsectoides)

Is damselfly color throughout this radiation correlated with habitat type?

Jordan, 2003

Team DamselflyProject 1 – Larval ecology of Megalagrion species• Collaboration with Idelle Cooper ‘01 (James Madison

University• Training in damselfly ecology and behavior at Mt. Lake

Biological Station, VA• 3-4 weeks of field work at Waikamoi TNC preserve,

adjacent to Haleakala NP, Maui.• Major questions: What is the larval niche overlap

between two species (M. calliphya and M. hawaiiense)found sympatrically? Do adults defend territories and oviposit according to larval abundances?

Jewelwing damselflies Calopteryx

aequabilis Calopteryx maculata

females

males

C. maculata

C. aequabilis

Reproductive character displacement in female wing color

Team DamselflyProject 2 – Population structure of N. A. Calopteryx species

• Collaboration with Idelle Cooper ‘01 (James Madison University

• Training in damselfly ecology and behavior at Mt. Lake Biological Station, VA

• Field collections and screening of populations using microsatellites (developed by European Calopteryx researchers and tested by Spring 2013 Bio 373 students)

• Major questions: Do two species have different population structures (caused by different larval niche breadth)?

• Will set basis for future studies of species hybridization

Team Ant (3 students)• Formica exsectoides (Allegheny mound

ant)• Demonstrates supercoloniality – extreme

form of cooperation among non-relatives• Unicoloniality (populations a single

supercolony) is usually associated with ecologically successful invasive species (e.g. the Argentine ant)

• Builds on projects of many students in Bio 150/240 and MAPs

• Clare Gunshenan ’14 Fall 2013 MAP demonstrated lack of supercolony border at distances of greater than 100k.

Summer goals:• Increase geographic sampling to eastern

part of range (Appalachian Mtns.) • Correlation of genetic structure,

behavior, and chemical signatures (co-advised by Leslie Lyons)

www.alexanderwild.com

Summer 2014 MAP Research Jackie Brown

Qualifications: • Interest in questions of ecology and evolution• Equally comfortable (or at least happy) in field and lab;

fit to walk and work in cold/wet/high altitude conditions (for Hawaii project).

• Bio 251-252 preferred

Indicate your interest by signing up on the sheet outside my office door (Noyce 1204). I will contact you about group and/or individual meetings to provide more information.