DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Systematics and Color Mimicry Evolution of Cyanide-producing Millipedes of Appalachia (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae, Apheloriini)

East Carolina University, Greenville NC

Investigators

Abstract

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Jason E. Bond and Mr. Paul E. Marek of East Carolina University to enhance, improve, and support the co-PI's dissertation project - a taxonomic and evolutionary study of the millipede tribe Apheloriini (Diplopoda: Polydesmida) distributed throughout the Appalachian Mountains. Aposematism (warning coloration) and color mimicry are among the most striking features of the Appalachian millipede genus Brachoria. Individuals in this genus display strong color and pattern similarity with several other closely related sympatric genera. These millipedes provide an excellent system for studying mimicry evolution. However, until now investigating mimicry and other interesting evolutionary questions in this millipede group has been hindered by the absence of a sound taxonomic structure and a robust phylogeny. This project will provide: (1) a phylogeny-based classification system of Apheloriini; (2) a systematic revision of the apheloriine genus Brachoria that will include a reconstruction of evolutionary relationships, new species descriptions and redescriptions of existing taxa, documentation of geographical distributions and natural histories, and production of easy-to-use keys for identification; and (3) a hypothesis-driven test of alternative mimicry scenarios in Brachoria.