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Research Projects
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Origins
of Parasitism in Lice
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What was the ancestral host for lice? Did dinosaurs have lice? Does parasitism by lice have more than one origin? These questions are being addressed by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny for the major lineages of parasitic lice (Phthiraptera) and their close relatives, book-lice and bark-lice (Psocoptera). This work is supported by NSF Systematics Panel Grant DEB-0612938. Related Publication: Johnson, K. P., K. Yoshizawa, and V. S. Smith. 2004. Multiple origins of parasitism in lice. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 271:1771-1776. |
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Phylogeny
and Microhabitat Specialization in Avian Ischnocera
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Avian feather lice (Ischnocera) specialize on several different microhabitats on the body of birds. These specialists include wing lice, head lice, and body lice. Several groups of birds harbor different genera of lice each occupying a different microhabitat. How did this pattern arise? One possibility is that each specilization evolved once and the lice subsequently radiated with birds. The second possibility is that lice specializing on different microhabitats evolved repeatedly, often on the same group of birds, resulting in convergence across avian feather lice. Preliminary data supports this latter pattern to some extent – duck wing lice are closely related to duck head lice, turkey body lice are closely related to turkey wing lice, etc. The goal of this project is to reconstruct a phylogeny for avian Ischnocera from both molecular and morphological data and uncover the pattern of the evolution of microhabitat specialization. |
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Patterns of Radiation in Hawaiian Bark Lice
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| Over 200 species of bark lice have been estimated to be endemic to the Hawaiian islands. Many of these species are closely related, which suggest that this radiation must have happened very rapidly. The goals of this project are to use molecular phylogenies to determine whether this remarkable radiation was due to mainly dispersal between islands or speciation within islands. Ph.D. student Emilie Bess is studying the radiation of the genus Ptycta using both morphological and molecular approaches and has supported her work through an NSF DDIG grant. Related Publication: Johnson, K. P. 2003. Island biogeography theory and evolution: Genetic divergence and speciation of island taxa. Comments on Theoretical Biology 8:339-356. |
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Systematics
and Taxonomy of Goniodidae
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| The Goniodidae are a group of feather lice occurring on the avian orders Columbiformes (pigeons and doves) and Galliformes (chicken, quail, pheasants, etc.). This group of lice is an important model system for studies of feather louse ecology. However, the taxonomy and systematics of Goniodidae is in need of serious revision. The goal of this project is to completely revise all the genera of Gonididae and to provide a phylogeny for the family based on morphological and molecular data. This phylogeny will be compared to that of the bird hosts to determine the degree of cospeciation in Goniodidae. Louse resources, such as a complete world checklist, will also be produced. This project was funded by NSF PEET DEB-0118794, a collaborative grant with Dale Clayton. Ph.D. student Mathys Meyer is studying the morphology of the genus Goniodes. Related Publication: Johnson, K. P., R. J. Adams, and D. H. Clayton. 2001. Molecular systematics of Goniodidae (Insecta: Phthiraptera). Journal of Parasitology 87:862-869. |
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The
Population Genetics of Host-Specifity in Duck Lice
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The lice occurring on waterfowl are among the least specific of all avian lice. However, it is expected that barriers to dispersal in louse populations will exist between host species and between continents. The goal of this project is to assess the level of genetic differentiation between duck louse populations on different host species and in different geographic regions. This project was funded by a University of Illinois Arnold O. Beckman Research Award and is in collaboration with Kevin McCracken (University of Alaska, Fairbanks). |
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Phylogeny of Columbiformes
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Pigeons and doves are a large group of birds (around 315 species) with a worldwide distribution. Several ongoing projects are aimed at reconstructing a phylogeny for this entire order of birds. These phylogenies will be used in comparisons with phylogenies of feather lice from these birds. Sub-projects include:
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Natural History Survey
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