Jeffrey Sosa-calvo

Biography

Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo, Research Associate, SI AntLab, Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History NMNH, United States. University of Maryland at College Park. M. Sc. Candidate in Entomology. Universidad del Quindio-Armenia-Colombia, B.S. Biology & Environmental Education

Research Interest

main interests are the systematics, behavior, and evolutionary biology of insects, especially ants (Formicidae) and parasitic wasps (Scoliidae). In particular, I am very interested in conducting the systematic revision of the primitive non-leaf-cutting fungus-growing ant genus Myrmicocrypta, and the construction of coevolutionary hypotheses including the ants and their symbionts (fungal cultivars, Escovopsis weed molds, and Pseudonocardia, antibiotic producing bacterial mutualism). To do so, I am planning to use both morphological and molecular approaches as well as data obtained from behavior and natural history to conduct this revision. Taxon sampling will include representative species from the genera that currently comprises the Attini (Formicidae: Mymicinae), and representatives from other Myrmicinae tribes, especially the tribe Blepharidattini (genera Blepharidatta and Wasmannia) which have been proposed to be the sister group of the attines. Morphological data will be recorded from all ant castes (gynes, males and workers). Molecular data will include sequences from nuclear (wingless, 28S- non-protein coding) and mitochondrial (COI) genes. Mitochondrial COI gene has proven to be at an appropriate rate of divergence for examination of species level relationships. If necessary, three more nuclear genes (EF1-alpha, EF2-alpha, and LwRh OPSIN) would be considered.