Some big, exciting news hit the Frost Museum today: Our proposal to study the evolution of gall wasps (Cynipidae) was officially funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation! The primary objective is to generate a large-scale phylogeny of Cynipidae, using genome-scale data. Other objectives include comparative gland morphology, sequencing transcriptomes of certain glands to understand how wasps make galls, and generating materials that will help people understand these insects, where they can be found, and how to identify them. We are looking for motivated graduate students and anyone who can help us collect and rear galls.
Look for more detailed updates in the near future. Yay!
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