25
May 1992 - 31 July 1992
A total of 38 students were selected
to participate in the 1992 session of the Research
Training Program including 31 students in the
summer session, 5 students in the non-summer
session, and 2 students in the spring break
session.
Schedule
of Events |
Poster |
Program
Summary
Student Abstracts |
Photo
Gallery
|
Applicant
Pool
5,000
recruitment posters were distributed to
worldwide locations
Over
4,500 information requests were
recorded.
325
applications were received.
|
Recruitment
Poster
|
Meet
the 1992 RTP participants
and read about their research project.
Back
row (left to right)
Nathan Eckrich,
Malik Menefee, Amy Downing, David Ellenberger,
Tae Hoon Kim, Thomas Prinzie, John Perrine,
Consuelo Marino, and Stephen Schellenberg.
Middle row (left to right)
Maureen Shea, , Rebecca Robinson, Kerry Inman,
Sigred Vasconez, Jo Ann Reynolds, Lisa Schultheis,
Kathy Gould, and Linnette Garcia.
Front row (left to right)
Lawrence Lopez, Alexandra Audet, Aisha White,
Jennifer Olson, Michelle Anderson, and Pam
Keef.
Note: Jennifer Apple is missing from the photo
because, as part of her project, she was conducting
field research off the coast of Belize - lucky
Jenny!
Research
Training Program Participants
Project Summaries
Spring
Break Session Participants
Project Summaries
Non-summer
Session Participants
Project Summaries
We consider this
years' Program to have been a tremendous success.
Not only did students engage in challenging
research, and some travel to interesting locations,
we also had a great time!
Judging
from letters received, and career goals stated
upon completion of the summer session, it's
clear that the 1992 Research Training Program
played a critical role in influencing the
participants, specifically, in directing their
career goals toward graduate work in the natural
history sciences.
To
cultivate this interest, four students (Amy
Downing, Linnette Garcia, Malik
Menefee, and Thomas Prinzie) were
awarded a grant to continue their research
through the "Fellowships in Systematic
Biology Program". This Program, supported
by a grant from the Pew Memorial Trusts, provides
funding for these students, called "Pew
Fellows", to continue their systematic
biology training with Smithsonian research
scientists serving as mentors during the upcoming
year. With their mentors, Pew Fellows will
travel to scientific meetings, participate
in field research, and spend most of next
summer at the NMNH honing the research skills
they learned during their participation in
the 1992 Research Training Program.
We
wish all the 1992 RTP participants good fortune
as you enbark upon your future. I hope you
remember us, as we will fondly remember you.
Mary
Sangrey
Program Coordinator
RESEARCH
TRAINING PROGRAM
PROGRAM SUMMARY
25
May 1992 to 31 July 1992
1992
Director:
W. John Kress
Advisory
Committee: Scott Wing and Richard
Thorington
Program Coordinator: Mary Sangrey
SUMMARY
The
National Museum of Natural History Research
Training Program at the Smithsonian Institution
provides talented undergraduates a concentrated
summer program centered on research experiences
in the biological sciences, particularly systematic
biology.
We strive to have a culturally diverse group
of young students working together with our
scientists and sharing information and techniques.
Together students and scientists work as colleagues
on the breadth of natural history topics. Students
work closely with a research scientist on a
specified project as well as participate in
lectures, discussions, and workshops especially
designed to share the knowledge and resources
of the Smithsonian and encourage the participants
to consider a career in natural history based
research.
Students are encouraged to participate in the
daily scientific activities of the Museum, such
as attending departmental seminars by resident
and visiting scientists.
The 1992 Program ran from 25 May to 31 July.
Of the 25 student participants in the Program,
18 were supported fully or in part by funds
from the Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Program of the NSF. The other students were
funded directly by the NMNH, other Institutional
sources, and outside grants.
Recruitment
Students
were recruited primarily by distributing a poster
describing the Program. The poster had postage
paid, peel-off application request cards attached.
Interested students tear off one of the cards,
fill in their name and address, and mail it
to us. Upon receipt of each card, an application
packet, complete with project descriptions,
was mailed to the requester. This process proved
very successful in attracting applications from
a diversity of outstanding students at a wide
range of undergraduate institutions.
Approximately 5,000 copies of the poster
were sent in September of 1991 to colleges and
universities around the country. The distribution
list included many small liberal arts colleges
where students are less likely to encounter
research faculty in natural sciences. In order
to maximize the number of minority applicants,
we distributed posters to historically Black
colleges, and Native American high schools.
Although high school students are not eligible
for participation in the RTP, we have been advised
that Native American students are more likely
to consider our program in future years, and
even consider natural history based college
studies, if we begin recruitment efforts early
such as by sending posters to high schools advertising
opportunities available. We also sent special
display posters with handouts to several career
fairs around the country including the "Science
and Engineering Conference for Native Americans",
"Minorities in Science and Technology",
and the "American Association of Museums
Meeting". Announcements about the Program
were published in many bulletins and newsletters
including the "Minorities in Medical Sciences
Bulletin", the "International Conservation
News", "Conservation Biology",
and the "Summer Enrichment Guide"
of the California State University Educational
Equity Program.
From
the 325 applications received, 25
students were selected to participate in the
1992 Summer Program. Selection of the successful
applicants was based on preliminary recommendations
of the scientific advisors who reviewed the
applications of all students who selected their
projects on the application form. Final selection
was made by a committee of five (5) staff members
directly involved in the Program. Selection
criteria based on information provided in the
application forms included the demonstrated
level of interest in natural sciences by the
applicant, stated career goals, academic accomplishments,
and letters of recommendations.
Of
the 25 students in residence for the summer,
17 (68%) were women and 8 (32%) were minorities
(African American, Asian American and Hispanic)
-higher than previously programs and the number
of minority applicants continues to increase.
Selection of the successful applicants was based
on preliminary recommendations of the scientific
advisors. As part of the application, students
were asked to list their three most preferred
research topics from the 30 one-paragraph descriptions
of projects provided in the application packet.
Each student's application was reviewed by the
advisors of the three projects they selected.
Advisor/reviewers used a standardized form to
record their evaluations.
Following this initial review, the top 50 applicants
were selected based on the number of total points
they received. This group of 50 finalists was
forwarded to the final selection committee,
composed of 5 staff members plus the Program
Director and Coordinator (Dan Nicolson, Tom
Fritts, Liz Zimmer, Brian Huber, Susan Jewett,
plus Scott Wing and Mary Sangrey). All reviewers
scored and ranked each of the 50 finalists.
Twenty-five (25) participants and 5 alternates
were selected following a final discussion meeting
that lasted 5 hours.
The
major selection criteria were degree of interest
in the natural sciences (as demonstrated by
advanced course work, independent projects,
career goals, etc.) and general academic ability
(based on college grades, letters of recommendation,
quality of cover letter, etc.).
Because
the RTP strives to include students in our Program
who have not had research opportunities available
to them, we also gave weight to how muse participating
in the RTP would benefit the student, and to
what degree similar techniques and opportunities
are available at the student's home college
or university.
In cases where applicants were similar on other
selection criteria, preference was given to
students identified by the Smithsonian's Office
of Equal Opportunity as "target" students
through Background Survey Questionnaires.
The only group of students we have failed to
attract to the NMNH Research Training Program
is Native American. To resolve this we are currently
working with JoAllyn Archambault, Director of
the NMNH American Indian Program, to try to
encourage participation in our Program by Native
Americans. She takes information about the Research
Training Program with her when traveling to
Native American schools and has provided valuable
feedback to us concerning small changes we can
address to make the program more attractive
to Native American students.
There
were 32 advertised projects in 1992.
They included:
- Species
delimitation in the Compositae (14 applications
received)
- The
Gnetales: new nuclear gene studies (31 applications
received)
- Evolutionary
relationships within the Lythraceae (35 applications
received)
- Resolution
of a rapid species radiation (8 applications
received)
- Leaf
architecture of Commelinaceae (7 applications
received)
- Anatomy
of Commelinaceae (5 applications received)
- Possible
taxonomic differences in populations of Lobaria
oregana (8 applications received)
- Systematic
implications of pollen morphology in bananas
and their relatives ( 17 applications received)
- Genetic
variation, reproductive systems, and speciation
in plants (14 applications received)
- Gesneriaceae
of Mesoamerica, Euxodonia (7 applications
received)
- Floral
hairs in the Commelinaceae (10 applications
received)
- Benthic
dinoflagellate studies (25 applications received)
- Diversity
and distribution of mangrove swamp invertebrates
(43 applications received)
- Ontogenetic
morphometric taxonomy of Globigerinelloides
multispina ( 7 applications received)
- Paleoecology
studies of Late Paleozoic plants (38 applications
received)
- Systematic
study of Late Paleozoic pteridosperms (10
applications received)
- Morphometric
analysis of Late Paleozoic zygopleurid gastropods
(17 applications received)
- Leaf
architecture of the Hamamelidaceae (11 applications
received)
- Lamnar
Asymmetry (7 applications received)
-
A buried Late Cretaceous vegetation and landscape
(62 applications received)
- Petrography
and mineral chemistry of aplites (9 applications
received)
- Molecular
systematics of thrushes (45 applications received)
- Mammalian
species account (80 applications received)
- Estimation
of species richness in the tropics (43 applications
received)
- Spinneret
and silk spigot diversity in spiders ( 16
applications received)
- Functional
morphology or spider genitalia (32 applications
received)
- Frog
call analysis (32 applications received)
- Evolution
of the social mongooses (44 applications received)
- Medicinal
plants of the Philippines (82 applications
received)
- Human
osteology research (73 applications received)
- Special
projects (7 applications received)
Student Research
Group research activities included a series
of lectures and discussions, laboratory and
workshop demonstrations, and field trips on
natural history topics. However, the bulk of
each student's time was spent on his or her
individual research project. Here is where Smithsonian
staff were able to directly share their research
experiences with the students through personalized
guidance, specifically in the development of
hypothesis testing, project implementation,
and methods of reporting results. Most students
had daily conferences with
their advisor and/or other Museum staff consulting
on their project. Aspects of hypothesis testing
and practicalities of project development and
completion were major topics during these conversations.
Each student participating in the summer session
of the 1992 NMNH Research Training Program submitted
a final written report and made a formal oral
presentation to a group of staff and other students.
The talks were given as part of a symposium
at the end of the Program.
Credit
The Smithsonian Institution, including the National
Museum of Natural History, is not a degree granting
institution and does not award academic credit.
However, in some cases credit for participation
in the NMNH Research Training Program was arranged
individually between participants and their
schools.
Award Package
Student support costs per participant for the
1992 NMNH Research Training Program summer session
were $2,780. These costs included housing,
transportation allowance, stipend
and research supplies. Program support
costs are also calculated into the cost per
student.
A stipend of $1,000 was paid to each
student participant in the NMNH Research Training
Program.
A geographically based transportation allowance
was also provided. This allowance varied from
$100 (paid to students from East coast localities)
to $400 (paid to students traveling to Washington,
D.C. from the West coast).
For
housing, we provided students four person occupancy,
fully furnished apartments in Alexandria, Virginia
which they shared with other Program participants.
In addition to the standard research and Program
supplies (film, processing, advertisement poster,
etc.), a 486DX personal computer was purchased
for the student's use and to manage the Program.
Cost
Sharing by NMNH
The staff salaries to support the Program make
up 75% of the entire cost with student participant
costs making up the remaining 25%. The National
Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian
Institution provided 100% of the staff salaries
to support the Program. In addition, seven (7)
students, of the total 25 participants, were
supported from funding either directly provided
or acquired through outside initiatives by the
NMNH.
List of Program
Participants
List
includes all 1992 Program participants. Participants
supported fully or in part by
funds received from the National Science Foundation
- Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program
are identified by an *
Michelle
C. Anderson*. Western Washington University.
Senior. Biology Major,
Environmental Education and Geology Minor. Project
Advisor: Dr. W. John Kress.
Project Title: The Systematic Implications of
Seed Morphology in Central American
Species of Heliconia . Career goals: attain
a position promoting conservation of
biodiversity in the tropics.
Jennifer Apple*. University of Puget
Sound. Sophomore. Biology Major, Mathematics
Minor.
Project Advisor: Dr. Klaus Rutzler and Dr. Candy
Feller. Project Title: Field Research
in the Mangroves of Belize. Career Goals: after
graduate school, attain a position
conducting research on plant-animal interactions.
Alexandra Audet. McGill University. Zoology
Major. Project Advisor: Mr. Brian Robbins.
Project Title: Biology of the Arctic Fox ( Alopex
lagopus ). Career Goals: after graduate
school, attain a position conducting research
on arctic habitats - specifically arctic
carnivores.
Amy
Downing*. The University of Michigan. Junior.
Natural Resources Major. Project
Advisor: Dr. Bruce Collette. Project Title:
Systematic Review of Five Nominal Species
of Halfbeaks in the viviparus -group of Dermogenys
. Career Goals: after graduate school,
to attain a position conducting systematic research
on fishes.
Nathan Eckrich*. San Diego State University.
Senior. Biology Major. Project Advisor: Dr.
James Norris. Project Title: Feeding Preferences
of Astraea on Marine Algae. Career
Goals: after graduate school, attain a position
conducting research on herbivore-algae
interactions.
David
Ellenberger*. Albertson College of Idaho.
Sophomore. Biology Major, Chemistry
Minor. Project Advisor: Dr. Richard Thorington.
Project Title: Elevational Cranial
Variation in a Wasatch Chipmunk ( Tamias minimus
) Population of Gunnison County,
Colorado. Career Goals: after graduate school
and serving in the Peace Corps, attain a
position conducting systematic research on mammals.
Linnette
Garcia*. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Campus. Sophomore. Biology Major,
Zoology and Chemistry Minor. Project Advisor:
Dr. W. Ronald Heyer. Project Title:
Description of the Advertisement Call and Resolution
of the Systematic Status of
Leptodactylus gracilis delattini . Career Goals:
after graduate school, attain a teaching
position at a university while conducting herpetological
systematic research.
Katherine Gould*. Harvard University.
Senior. Art History Major. Project Advisor:
Dr.
Vicki Funk. Project Title: Species Delimitation
in the Werneria pygmaea Complex.
Career Goals: after graduate school (botanical
evolutionary systematics), attain a position
in conservation of natural ecosystems.
Kerry Inman. The University of Rhode
Island. Graduated December 1991. Zoology Major,
Botany Minor. Project Advisor: Dr. Robert Faden.
Project Title: Leaf Anatomy of Two
Genera in the Commelinaceae: Anthericopsis and
Murdannia . Career Goals: after graduate
school, attain a teaching position at a university
emphasizing botany.
Pamela
Keef*. Ithaca College. Senior. Anthropology
Major, Environmental Studies Minor.
Project Advisor: Dr. Robert DeFilipps. Project
Title: Medicinal Plants of the
Philippines. Career Goals: after graduate school
(systematic botany), attain a position
working with a conservation organization setting
up educational programs in the tropics
while conducting research on ethnobotany.
Tae Hoon Kim*. Reed College. Sophomore.
Biology Major. Project Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth
A. Zimmer. Project Title: Evolutionary Relationships
within the Lythraceae. Career
Goals: after graduate school, attain a position
in the field of molecular evolution.
Lawrence Lopez. Universidad Nacional
Agraria La Molina. Sophomore. Zoology Major.
Project Advisor: Dr. Michael Braun. Project
Title: The Use of Genetic Markers to
Characterize Hybridization Between Black-Capped
and Carolina Chickadees. Career
Goals: after graduate school, attain a position
in Peru studying the tropical rain forest,
specifically the systematics and behavior of
birds.
Consuelo
Marino*. University of Colorado. Junior.
Geology Major. Project Advisor: Dr.
Brian Huber. Project Title: Taxonomy and Isotopic
Analysis of Late Campanian to
Maastrichtian Planktonic Foraminifera. Career
Goals: after graduate school, attain a
position in micropaleontology.
Malik Menefee*. University of Maryland.
Junior. Zoology Major. Project Advisor: Dr.
Clayton Ray. Project Title: Implications of
the Cranial Evolution in the Sperm Whales.
Career Goals: after graduate school, attain
a research position concentrating on the
evolutionary history, behavior, and systematics
of the toothed whales.
Jennifer Olson*. Tulane University. Sophomore.
Geology Major. Project Advisor: Dr. Brian
Huber. Project Title: Taxonomic and Isotopic
Approach to the Paleoclimate History of the
Maestrichtian Indian Ocean. Career Goals: after
graduate school, attain a position in
sustainable agriculture. .
John
Perrine. Vanderbilt University. Graduated
May 1991. General Biology Major. Project
Advisor: Dr. William DiMichele. Project Title:
Computer-assisted Reconstruction of the
Frond of Pecopteris oregonensis , a Carboniferous
Fern. Career Goals: after graduate
school, attain a position related to biodiversity
preservation.
Thomas
Prinzie*. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
Junior. Biology Major, Chemistry
Minor. Project Advisor: Dr. W. John Kress. Project
Title: Isozyme Electrophoretic
Evidence for the Diploid Hybrid Origin of Heliconia
beckneri . Career Goals: after
graduate school, attain a teaching position
at a university while studying plant ecology,
evolution, and systematics.
Jo Ann Reynolds*. Eastern Connecticut
State University. Senior. Biology Major, Chemistry
Minor. Project Advisor: Dr. Laurence Skog. Project
Title: Revision of Eucodonia : A
Mesoamerican Genus in the Gesneriaceae. Career
Goals: after graduate school attain a
teaching position emphasizing preservation of
biological diversity.
Rebecca
Robinson*. Indiana University. Junior. Geology
and Anthropology Major. Project
Advisor: Dr. Michael Wise. Project Title: Eight
Aplites from Western Maine. Career
Goals: after graduate school, attain a teaching
position at a university while pursuing
archaeological geology research.
Stephen
Schellenberg. University of South Florida.
Senior. Geology Major. Project Advisor:
Dr. Douglas Erwin. Project Title: Preliminary
Phylogenetic Analysis of the Late
Paleozoic Gastropod Family Pseudozygopleuridae
with a Comparison to Current
Superspecific Taxonomy. Career Goals: after
graduate school, attain a research position
concentrating on biodiversity changes through
evolutionary and ecological time by using
the fossil record.
Lisa
Schultheis*. University of Arizona. Senior.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major,
Chemistry and Math Minor. Project Advisor: Dr.
Elizabeth A. Zimmer. Project Title:
Molecular Studies in the Gnetales. Career Goals:
after graduate school, attain a position at
a university teaching plant systematics.
Maureen
Shea. University of Massachusetts at Boston.
Graduated June 1991. Anthropology
Major, Biology Minor. Project Advisor: Dr. Douglas
Owsley. Project Title:
Examination and Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains
from the Sullivan-Carpenter Site,
Oklahoma. Career Goals: after graduate school,
attain a teaching position at a university
while conducting physical anthropology research.
Jill
Sheasley*. University of Oregon. Senior.
Biology Major, Chemistry Minor. Project
Advisor: Dr. Harold Robinson and Dr. Paula DePriest.
Project Title: Morphological and
Chemical Characteristics in two Geographic Populations
of Lobaria oregana . Career
Goals: after medical school, to attain a position
in family health with emphasis on women
Environmental health issues.
Sigrid
Vasconez. Beloit College. Senior. Environmental
Biology. Project Advisor: Dr. Vicki
Funk. Project Title: Species Delimitation in
the Werneria pygmaea Complex. Career
Goals: to attain a position in international
relations related to Environmental law and public
policy with emphasis on sustainable development.
Aisha
White*. Howard University. Sophomore. Microbiology
Major, Chemistry Minor.
Project Advisor: Dr. Jon Norenburg. Project
Title: Description of a new species of
Pantinonemertes . Career Goals: after medical
school, attain a position conducting AIDS
research.
National Museum of Natural History Research
Training Program
Budget Summary of Expenses1992
Participant Support Costs:
- Student Stipends
Each participant received $1,000*
NSF contribution
$ 7,500.00
NMNH contribution
$17,000.00
Total
$24,500.00
- Student Travel
Geographically dependent, varied based on distance
traveled from $100 - $400
NSF contribution $ 5,371.86
NMNH contribution $ 0
Total $ 5,371.86
- Student Housing
Six four person occupancy apartments at $4,198
per apartment.
NSF contribution $25,188.00
NMNH contribution $ 0
Total $25,188.00
Material and Supplies:
- Student Research/Project Supplies
Film & processing, lab supplies, etc...
NSF contribution $ 530.48
NMNH contribution $ 949.01
Total $ 1,479.49
- Program supplies
NSF contribution $ 444.22
NMNH contribution $ 401.45
Total $ 845.67
Special Purchases
-
Advertisement Poster
NSF contribution $ 4,936.50
NMNH contribution $ 0
Total
$ 4,936.50
- Program Equipment
Computer
NSF contribution $ 3,475.00
NMNH contribution $ 0
Total $ 3,475.00
Camera
NSF contribution $ 0
NMNH contribution $ 269.95
Total $ 269.95
Overhead Projector
NSF contribution $ 0
NMNH contribution $ 523.50
Total $ 523.50
Slide Projector
NSF contribution $ 565.90
NMNH contribution $ 0
Total $ 565.90
Administrative Allowance:
Total NSF contribution $ 2,000.00
Pew
Fellowships in Systematic Biology Program
Four
students (Amy Downing, Linnette Garcia,
Malik Menefee, and Thomas Prinzie)
were awarded "Pew Fellowships in Systematic
Biology" (supported by a grant from the
Pew Memorial Trusts) which will provide funds
for them to continue to work with their scientific
mentors at the NMNH during the next year.
We selected four outstanding
students to participate in the "Fellowships
in Systematic Biology Program" supported
by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The Fellows were
all participants in our 1992 Summer Research
Training Program and were chosen after evaluating
their backgrounds and performance during the
summer. The four Pew Fellows selected to participate
in the first year of the Fellowships in Systematic
Biology Program were:
Amy
Downing Ms. Downing is currently a senior
at the University of
Michigan in Ann Arbor majoring in Fisheries
and Aquatic Sciences. As a participant
in our 1992 Research Training Program she
worked on the systematics of a group of
fishes in the genus Dermogenys . Dr. Lynne
Parenti, a taxonomist specializing in
fishes, has agreed to serve as her Pew Mentor.
Although Dr. Parenti was not
originally listed as one of the Pew Mentors,
she is a "top notch" female scientist
with a
commitment to education and a perfect role
model for Ms. Downing.
Linnette Garcia Perez Ms. Garcia is
currently a junior at the University of
Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. She is particularly
interested in the study of reptiles
and amphibians. To cultivate her interest
in herpetology and direct her toward
systematic investigations, we have selected
Dr. Kevin de Queiroz in the Department of
Vertebrate Zoology and specialist on the phylogeny
of frogs and lizards, to serve as her
Pew Mentor
Malik Menefee Mr. Menefee attends the
University of Maryland in College
Park where he is a senior majoring in Zoology.
Malik came to our Research Training
Program with an insatiable curiosity in cetaceans,
particularly sperm whales. He is
already a member of the American Cetacean
Society and the Cetacean Society
International. He designed his own project
on fossil sperm whales during our 1992
Research Training Program. Although not originally
included in our list of Pew
Mentors, we have selected Dr. James Mead,
Curator of Marine Mammals here at
NMNH and an internationally recognized expert
on whales, to serve as his Pew
Mentor.
Thomas P. Prinzie Mr. Prinzie is a
senior at Slippery Rock University of
Pennsylvania. A 4.0 student majoring in Botany
and minoring in Chemistry, he is a
talented and intelligent individual who knew
little about systematic biology prior to
attending our Research Training Program. By
the end of the summer Mr. Prinzie's
interest and aptitute for systematic biology
was clearly demonstrated and he is strongly
considering a career emphasizing systematic
studies. Dr. W. John Kress, Curator of
Botany and specialist in tropical plants,
has agreed to be his scientific mentor.
List
of Advertized Projects
SPECIES
DELIMITATION IN THE COMPOSITAE
Mentor: Dr. Vicki Funk, Curator, Department
of Botany
Werneria
is a genus in the Compositae which is primarily
found in the Andes. It includes about
60 species. One species complex of Werneria
in particular can be found in Bolivia, Peru,
Ecuador, and Venezuela. This species complex,
Werneria pygmaea s. l., varies in size
and length of peduncle, as well as pubescence
and number of florets. Numerous varieties and
species have been described throughout its range
and hundreds of specimens have been collected.
This project involves looking at the specimens
and measuring many of the characters. These
data will then be analyzed using numerical techniques
to determine whether or not the variability
that has been described is useful for determining
varieties or possibly even species. In addition,
size variation will be examined in relation
to elevation and habitat. Results will be compiled,
conclusions drawn and the information prepared
for scientific publication. This project has
been designed for a team of two interns working
together.
ONTOGENETIC MORPHOMETRIC TAXONOMY OF Globigerinelloides
multispina
Mentor: Dr. Brian Huber, Associate Curator,
Department of Paleobiology
Globigerinelloides
multispina is a fossil protistan of the
order Foraminiferida that lived in the
upper 200 m of the world's oceans between about
78 and 66 million years ago. It is characterized
by having a series of 12 - 14 spherical chambers
(composed of calcium carbonate) that increases
gradually in size while coiling in a plane.
The shell size of "adult" forms reaches
0.4 mm. Specimens identified as G. multispina
are especially common in deep sea sediments
recovered from around Antarctica. Because of
uncertainty about the taxonomy of this species,
it usefulness in determining the age of sediments
has been limited and knowledge about its biogeographic
distribution is poorly constrained. Improved
age dating of circum-Antarctic sediments is
especially needed since many age-diagnostic
species were restricted to lower latitudes.
In this project, specimens will be identified
and isolated from other foraminiferal shells
using a stereomicroscope and a wetted, thin
paintbrush. X-ray images will be taken of the
specimens using high-resolution film and a standard
X-ray unit. Specimens will then be mounted on
a stub in canada balsam, dissected using a micromanipulator,
then photographed in the Scanning Electron Microscope.
Topotype specimens of G. multispina and
several other species of Globigerinelloides
will be analyzed in the same way for comparison.
Measurements of the number of chambers per whorl,
rates of chamber size increase, shell porosity,
and umbilical areas will be obtained using a
video system linked with morphometric software
in an attempt to discriminate morphological
differences between the species groups. Based
on the results of these measurements, the taxonomy
of the Upper Cretaceous Globigerinelloides
will be revised and the distribution of the
high latitude species > of this genus will be
reassessed and published.
THE
GNETALES: NEW NUCLEAR GENE STUDIES
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Zimmer, Principal Investigator,
Laboratory of Molecular Systematics
My
group in the Smithsonian's Laboratory of Molecular
Systematics is studying the evolution of seed
plants at the molecular level by sequencing
nuclearly-encoded ribosomal RNA genes. Investigations
are now concentrating on the order Gnetales
which appears to be the sister group to the
flowering plants based both on ribosomal gene
and morphological evidence. This project involves
the determination and comparison of DNA sequences
for the gene(s) encoding the enzyme tryprophan
synthetase ( subunit) in one to three species
in the genus Ephedra and/or Gnetum.
The intern will gain experience in: DNA isolation
from frozen plant tissue, design and purification
of oligonucleotide? primers specific for the
trp gene(s), DNA sequencing from amplified trp
genes (via PCR and/or cloning), and phylogenetic
analysis of DNA sequence data.
MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS OF THRUSHES
Mentor: Dr. Michael Braun, Program Director,
Laboratory of Molecular Systematics
The
thrushes are a widespread and successful group
of songbirds worldwide. They are represented
on every continent except Antarctica, often
by several genera which are confined to that
biogeographic area. However, the largest genus,
Turdus , which includes the American
Robin, occurs throughout the New and Old Worlds
in both temperate and tropical regions. We are
beginning a molecular investigation of relationships
among thrushes to determine if 1) all Turdus
species form a monophyletic group more closely
related to each other than other thrushes, or
2) the Turdus species in each biogeographic
area are more closely related to other thrush
genera in that area than they are to Turdus
species in other areas. While surprising, the
second pattern of relationship has been found
in several widespread but morphologically conservative
groups. The intern will isolate DNA, amplify
specific segments via the polymerase chain reaction,
and sequence homologous segments of DNA from
bluebirds ( Sialia ), nightingale thrushes
( Catharus ), solitaires ( Myadestes
), New World Turdus and Old World Turdus
to determine if these New World genera are derived
directly from New World Turdus ancestors.
All investigation will take place at The Museum
Support Center (MSC) in Suitland Hill, Maryland.
VARIATION IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF GROUP I INTRON
IN LICHENS
Mentor: Dr. Paula DePriest, Associate Curator,
Department of Botany
Two
of the most recognized lichens in North America
are Cladonia cristatella "British
soldiers," and Cladina subtenuis
, a "reindeer lichen." Research has
shown that both of these lichen species have
multiple group I introns in their small subunit
ribosomal DNA (rDNA). This was very surprising
because only two organisms, an alga and a fungal
pathogen, have been reported to contain group
I introns in this gene. Certainly these introns
must be removed by splicing during the processing
of the ribosomal RNA to restore the highly conserved
structure of the ribosomal RNA. However, this
has not been demonstrated in vitro for lichens.
Preliminary research suggests that within natural
populations, individuals of Cladonia cristatella
may have rDNA genes with different numbers of
locations of introns, while individuals of Cladina
subtenuis have the identical rDNA genes.
This may be a consequence of their modes of
reproduction -- Cladonia cristatella
produces abundant ascospores indicating sexual
reproduction while Cladina subtenuis
rarely produces ascospores and, presumably,
must reproduce clonally. This would suggest
that individuals of Cladina subtenuis
in natural populations represent genetic clones
and that variation in the distribution of introns
in the rDNA may be found between populations.
In this project the student will use polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) amplification to determine
the numbers and locations of group I introns
in the rDNA of individuals from the same populations,
from different populations and different geographical
locations for both of these species. The results
of this study will be submitted for publication
in Bryologist .
ESTIMATION OF SPECIES RICHNESS IN THE TROPICS
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Coddington, Curator, Department
of Entomology
Biodiversity
means many things; one very important meaning
is the total number of species in a
defined area, or species richness. However,
statistical estimation and analysis of species
richness from samples is still a relatively
undeveloped field. Several quantitative samples
of spiders from various tropical areas (Peru,
Bolivia, Tobago, Cameroon), as test cases, are
already in hand. Some are sorted to morphospecies,
tabulated, and entered into a database, while
others require further sorting and tabulation.
This project involves learning to use data base
and statistical program packages to compute
estimates of species richness and to test hypotheses
about size distributions across species, taxonomic
composition of faunas, reliability of species
richness estimates, and efficiency of various
collecting techniques. The project also will
involve work with the samples themselves, and
perhaps application of the inventory protocol
to a local faunal estimate. The intern will
learn the theoretical background of this branch
of conservation biology and ecology. Some experience
in computer operation and programming, and at
least an introduction to statistics, are highly
desirable. Results from this study will be compared
to other published work on the structure of
tropical arthropod diversity, and prepared for
scientific publication.
PATTERNS OF ALLOMETRIC GROWTH IN SPECIES
OF SCELOPORINE SAND LIZARDS
Mentor Dr. Kevin de Queiroz, Assistant Curator,
Department of Vertebrate Zoology
The
clade known as the sceloporine sand lizards
is a radiation of 10 currently recognized
species of terrestrial lizards inhabiting the
arid deserts and grasslands of western North
America. Although representatives of the clade
share numerous characters, they also exhibit
a relatively high degree of morphological disparity.
Two respects in which species exhibit obvious
differences are in body size and in limb and
tail proportions--characters that are related
to other important aspects of sand lizard biology,
including running speed and the development
of subcaudal color patterns, both of which are
relevant to anti-predator behavior. Both body
size and limb and tail proportions have been
used as characters for estimating phylogenetic
relationship, but their use in that context
is complicated by the phenomenon of allometric
growth--changes in body proportions that are
directly related to changes in body size. The
project will involve measuring several morphological
characters in growth series representing a minimum
of four and a maximum of eight sand lizards
species and analyzing the data using both bivariate
and multivariate statistical methods. The results
will be integrated with those of ongoing morphological
and molecular studies on the phylogeny of sand
lizards, as well as with available data on ecology
and behavior, with the goal of understanding
the evolution of these animals as functionally
and developmentally integrated systems.
LEAF ARCHITECTURE OF THE HAMAMELIDACEAE
Mentor: Dr. Scott Wing, Research Curator, Department
of Paleobiology
Leaves
of Hamamelidaceae (the witch hazel and sweet
gum family) are abundant in the Late
Cretaceous and early Tertiary fossil record,
yet they have contributed little to our understanding
of relationships and evolution within this family.
The student will use X-ray techniques to do
a survey of leaf architecture in living species
of the family, then develop a list of quantitative
and qualitative characters that can be measured
or scored using X-ray images. The systematic
value of the leaf characters will be evaluated
by comparing their distributions to floral,
anatomical, and biochemical characters obtained
from the literature. The systematic position
of well-preserved fossil leaves of Hamamelidaceae
will then be determined using the characters
developed from living species. (Note: Similar
work on a different dicot family can be arranged
through consultation with the Project Advisor.)
Results of the investigation will be compiled,
conclusions drawn and the information prepared
for scientific publication.
GENETIC VARIATION, REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS AND
SPECIATION IN PLANTS
Mentor: Dr. W. John Kress, Curator, Department
of Botany
Factors affecting the amount and distribution
of genetic variation in plants, such as mating
system, gene flow, and selection, are many.
Investigations of these factors provide valuable
insights into the processes of evolution which
underlie modes of diversification and speciation.
Quantification of genetic variation in populations
is one of the the first steps in studying these
processes and isozyme electrophoresis has become
a valuable tool for accomplishing this task.
In this project the intern will use the technique
of starch gel isozyme electrophoresis to quantify
the amount of genetic variation present in a
series of populations of a species of the tropical
plant genus Heliconia . Tissue samples previously
collected in South America will be electrophoresed
and the resultant allelic data analysed. The
results will then be compared with data from
on-going projects in the lab on other species
in the same genus as well as other plant familes.
Although previous experience with electrophoresis
is not required, chemical laboratory experience
is a prerequisite. Laboratory work will be conducted
at the Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland.
AN EVALUATION OF INSECT-MEDIATED HERBIVORY
IN AN EARLY PERMIAN FLORA
Mentor: Dr. Conrad Labandeira, Associate Curator,
Department of Paleobiology
Insects
and vascular plants collectively comprise the
overwhelming bulk of diversity on land.
This diversity is principally attributable to
myriad, intimate, trophic-based interactions among
insects and vascular plants. Although the body-fossil
evidence of these two groups reveal their salient
role in the structuring of terrestrial ecosystems
back to the Late Paleozoic, only recently have
paleobiologists investigated the evidence for
various types of interactions involving insect
herbivores and vascular plant hosts. One of these
interaction types that has a well-preserved, documentable
fossil record is herbivory in the form of external
foliage feeding (chewing of leaf blades). The
US National Museum holds an extensive collection
of randomly-sampled Lower Permian flora from northern
Texas. It consists dominately of fern, pteridosperm,
and gymnosperm foliage that, on casual inspection,
bears evidence of external foliage feeding by
insects. The student will compare Permian patterns
of insect herbivory to those in modern ecosystems
by conducting a comprehensive visual and low-power
microscope scan of this flora for insect damage
noting the following: 1) the intensity of herbivory
in terms of the percentage of leaf material consumed;
2) whether certain host taxa were preferently
selected for consumption; and 3) the type of external
foliage feeding present including statistical
analyses of leaf blade excision patterns, and
plant tissue and organ specificities. The student
will, with the help of the Project Advisor, examine
plant fossil specimens for insect damage, and
assist in the statistical analysis of the data
from these observations. The results of this project
will be prepared for publication in a scientific
journal.
