Schedule
of Events
Lectures
Entomology
Location:
Academic Resources Center
- ARC
NHB, Main Building, Ground Floor, Room 60A
Host:
Laura
Florez
Speaker:
Ted Schultz and Sean Brady
Ted
Schultz attended the University of California,
Berkeley, and earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University.
He is currently a curator of hymenoptera (ants,
bees, and wasps) in the Department of Entomology
at NMNH. His research focuses on the evolution
and systematics of ants, especially the fungus-growing
ants (Myrmicinae: Attini). He is interested in
historical ecology and the evolution of the fungus-growing
behavior, and also works with phylogenetic analysis
using morphological and molecular characters.
Entomologist Seán Brady earned his Ph.D
from the University of California, Davis, and
served a postdoc at Cornell before coming to NMNH
as a Smithsonian Postdoctoral fellow to study
ants with Ted Schultz. Seán is now a temporary
employee, continuing his work with Ted and ants.
Seán's research focuses on the origins,
diversification and molecular evolution of social
insects, especially ants and bees.
Topic:
The
Diversity and Evolution of Behavior in Ants.
The
diversity, relative abundance and ecological impact
of ants make them a very important group among
terrestrial ecosystems. Their social behavior
and the diversity of these habits among the different
ant species is a topic that easily attracts the
attention of anyone who comes close to these amazing
insects. From those that store honey, to slave-makers
and even the so called "bulldogs" that
jump to capture their prey, ants engage in an
extraordinary and fascinating variety of social
practices. Seán has a special interest
in army ants and has specifically focused his
research on the evolution of their behavior. Unlike
common ants, army ants have unique social habits
collectively known as "army ant syndrome."
They are nomadic, they forage prey without advance
scouts and their wingless queens produce millions
of eggs every month. After observing army ants
during his research, Seán describes the
multitude marching together as a flowing red river,
foraging voraciously as they advance.
Topic:
The
Attini: fungus-growing ants.
In
the late 19th century, scientists discovered the
remarkable skill of fungus-cultivation among certain
species of ants. This peculiar behavior is unique
to the Attini, occurring mainly in South and Central
America. The ants' agricultural system is more
elaborate in some species than others. The fungi
they grow, and on which the ants feed, are masses
of hyphae stored inside the colony. Some species,
the "leafcutters", use vegetation to
nourish the fungus crop and can consume daily
as much vegetation as a grown cow. Ted has studied
the ecology and evolution of the fungus-growing
behavior and describes the co-evolutionary links
suggested by phylogenetic analyses of both the
fungi and the ants. However, there is no specific
link between fungi and ants at a species level,
which indicates that certain colonies may have
introduced fungus from other ant colonies, outside
of their own. Ted's research has highlighted the
presence of more than simply two organisms (or
a two-part symbiosis), the ant and fungi, involved
in this amazing habit. In addition, there is a
pathogen fungus, Escavopsis, that can deteriorate
the fungi crops, and pathogen-fighting bacteria
which are carried on the ant's body. The ants,
fungi, pathogen fungus, and pathogen-fighting
bacteria create a complex four-part symbiosis.
This complex relationship constitutes a fascinating
aspect of ant behavior and ecology, and is a part
of our natural world which is still not fully
understood.
Learn more:
Army
Ants
Marching
Genes
