August Aphaenophone conference call
Aphaenophone conference call
- Manuscripts
- NG and JSG submitted “Next-generation species distribution models” to Ecology
- JSG: Aphaenogaster thermal reactionome in prep for PNAS
- CP: adding all 14 species from Phytotron to comparative development paper, in prep
- BBdM: revisions of Novomessor manuscript
- LC: SDM manuscript, using thermal traits and probability of occurrence
- Update on genetic data (JSG + SCH)
- first 48 samples of ddRADseq for population genetics off Illumina machine, will start processing data soon
- DGE RNAseq protocol working for the Phytotron samples to get gene expression
- ants on hand to extract DNA for Aphaenogaster picea genome sequencing
- with both popgen and RNAseq protocols working, we can think about what other samples it would be useful to have this data for
- Update on Phytotron vouchers (CP)
- about 4 colonies missing vouchers from Phytotron. may have these at VT
- almost all samples north of PA are A. picea, but south of PA is a mix of A. picea, rudis, fulva, carolinensis
- New field collections (AN + KM)
- KM: collected 10 colonies from each of three sites: VT, PA, NC. Will use to look at shifts in stoichiometry from field to lab
- AN: collected 81 colonies from 10-13 species over summer. currently measuring knock-down temperature for each colony, and collecting ant samples at 10 time points during ramp for gene expression work
- Other topics
- SCH: need to collect samples from chambers on hot and cool days
- LN: already made cool day collection at DF, waiting for hot day
- ML: working on network analysis with AE and others
- ML: taking over pitfalls in the chambers at HF
- SCH: collect larvae from nest boxes when iButtons are removed in October.
Lacy will organize the next call on September 4th.
