Website
http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DP180101915
Funding Status
Closed
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Funded Activity Summary
The evolution of generalism: why so many polyphagous fruit flies? This project aims to understand why flies that cause maggoty fruit have so frequently evolved the generalist feeding habitat. Insect herbivores make up 50 per cent of eukaryotic species on earth. Nearly all are host specialists, feeding on only one or very few plant species. In stark contrast, 40 per cent of tropical fruit flies are generalists, feeding across many plant families. This project aims to test specific hypotheses to explain the high frequency of generalism in Bactrocera. Outcomes will significantly advance understanding of the evolution of generalism, and so greatly advance herbivory theory. As Bactrocera are also globally significant horticultural pests, the project will provide under-pinning science for pest management.Funded Activity Details
Start Date: 05-2018
End Date: 08-2021
Funding Scheme: Discovery Projects
Funding Amount: $353,164.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
Research Topics
ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)
Phylogeny and Comparative Analysis | Behavioural Ecology | Speciation and Extinction | Evolutionary Biology
ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)
Environmentally Sustainable Plant Production not elsewhere classified | Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity at Regional or Larger Scales |
