I am broadly interested in the ecological and
evolutionary implications
of plant/animal interactions, and address questions relevant to
this by
studying chemical ecology, insect ecology, behavior and genetics.
More
specifically, my current research interest is focused on
understanding
plant-insect interactions and how these interactions can affect
species
distribution, species coexistence and local adaptation. My focal
study
organisms are two genera of swallowtail butterflies in the tribe
Troidini
(Parides and Battus). Both are specialists on plants of
the genus Aristolochia (Aristolochiaceae)
that contain toxic alkaloids (nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acids)
called
aristolochic acids. These toxins are sequestered by Parides
and Battus as
larvae, rendering both larvae and adults chemically defended
against most
predators. Also, the relationships between these genera of
butterflies
and their host plant are very specific. The butterflies are highly
adapted
to their local species of Aristolochia and a change in
the host
plant produces notable changes in chemical sequestration and other
aspects
of the butterflies’ biology. This distinctive system is ideal for
answering a variety of exciting questions.
As part of my doctoral
dissertation,
I plan to assess: 1) whether co-occurring Troidini species show
variation
in usage of locally available Aristolochia species, which
might
indicate the partitioning of host plant resources, and 2) whether
performance
variation exists among butterfly species reared on different host
plants.
Studying
these butterflies in a range of
habitats in both South and North
America, and their relationships with their host plants, will allow
us to
have a deep understanding of the ecological and evolutionary
processes at
work in this highly specific plant-insect interaction.
Aristolochia triangularis flower & Parides anchises
nephalion caterpillar
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