Santa Cruz Island Reserve

18 Mar, 03 AM - 22 Mar, 03 AM

In May 2001 I discovered a novel and possibly endemic species of Tamalia aphid on Comarostaphylis diversifolia near Prisoner's Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. This finding proved pivotal in helping to pinpoint the origins of social behavior in this gall-forming clade: it provided evidence of a previously unknown genus of host plant, so that a more robust phylogenetic tree of Tamalia and its host plants could be constructed. At least one further trip to Santa Cruz Island is necessary to gather specimens for a formal description of this novel species, as well as evidence of any social behavior. My current research indicates the novel species may have earlier origins than Tamalia coweni, a species in which I have documented elementary social behavior. By naming this species and determining whether it, too, displays social behavior, we may be able to determine more precisely when elementary social behavior first appeared in the genus Tamalia.

Visit #1031 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 880 | Research

California State University Chico - Biological Sciences

faculty - California State University (CSU), Chico

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 3 Other Mar 18 - 22, 2003 (5 days)
Donald Miller Mar 18 - 22, 2003 (5 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Private Room 4 Mar 18 - 22, 2003