Presenter(s): Kevin Spies − Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor(s): William Bradshaw, Christina Holzapfel
Poster 45
Research Area: Natural Science
The environment factor of temperature plays an important role in the growth and development of ectothermic species. In many species, increasing temperatures have been shown to dictate development rates and gives rise to the synchronization of the mature adults from adolescence. In the purple pitcher plant mosquito Wyeomyia smithii, this phenomenon has not yet been determined to occur. The goal of this research project is to determine whether synchronized development occurs in W. smithii as a result of increasing temperatures. Accurate determination of this adaptation in W. smithii may have important implications in evolutionary biology including being used as a foundation for locating synchronization genes and adding to the current literature for synchronized emergence and the rule of thermal summing. Additionally, this information may aid in the preservation of agricultural crops against W. smithii infestation and may serve as a means of vector control for mosquito- borne disease. The project encompasses subjecting four distinct W. smithii populations to light-controlled incubators (programmed light:day cycle of 18:6) with increasing temperatures from 4 °C to 30 °C. Two cohorts from each population will be introduced to the 4 °C environment; every fifth day, the temperature will increase 2 °C and two cohorts from each population will be placed in the incubator. All populations will be observed for signs of development. Once all W. smithii have reached maturity, data will be undergo an analysis of covariance to determine whether or not synchronized development and emergence has occur in W. smithii.