Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2010
Capstone Advisor
Dr. Samuel H.P. Chan
Honors Reader
Dr. Stephen A. Teale
Capstone Major
Biology
Capstone College
Arts and Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Sciences and Engineering
Subject Categories
Biochemistry | Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology
Abstract
Pissodes strobi and P. nemorensis are weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) that infest pines (Pinus spp.) and spruces (Picea spp.). Previous studies indicate that they are able to hybridize. In the spring, breeding site specificity maintains reproductive isolation, but in the late summer, both species occupy lateral branches of host trees. Aggregation pheromones for P. nemorensis have been identified but the mechanism for late summer isolation is unknown. Cuticular hydrocarbons have been shown to play a role in the chemical recognition of species, sex, kin, and caste in many groups of insects. The large number of possible compounds and the even larger numbers of possible combinations creates potential for much information to be encoded. Cuticular hydrocarbon samples from P. strobi were collected from an infestation in a white pine stand in Pompey, NY. The cuticular hydrocarbon samples were analyzed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis of the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles revealed a shift of the cuticular hydrocarbon profile between spring and summer males while the profile of the females remained constant between the two seasons. This shift in cuticular hydrocarbon profile may be indicative of a seasonal change that prevents P. strobi and P. nemorensis from interbreeding in the summer when the two species share the same habitat.
Recommended Citation
Teale, Stephanie L., "The Role of Cuticular Hydrocarbons in the Pre-mating Isolation of Two Pissodes Species" (2010). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 347.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/347
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