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Evolution and Biogeography of the Woodroach, Cryptocercus
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Abstract
Members of the genus Cryptocercus are subsocial, wood feeding cockroaches that live in temperate forests. Presently, seven species are recognized worldwide: one each in Russia and China, and five in the United States. We have been studying the evolution and biogeography of the genus using various approaches: analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, analysis of the endosymbiont genome, chromosome number variation, and host and habitat association. Our work led to the description of four new species in the United States. We have estimated divergence times among the various species based on divergence in endosymbiont genes and correlated the estimates with geological history. We have also used GIS data to show that the evolutionarily recent species in the Appalachians have radiated to utilize deciduous forests and low elevation habitat.
If you would like to meet with Dr. Kambhampati during his visit, please contact Dr. Elliot Krafsur (ekrafsur@iastate.edu: Tel: 4-8127)
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