[SC-MorphLab] Review request for Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics

[Reza Zahiri]

Dear Dr. Dennis Slice,

I hope you are doing well. It's been a while I have not been in contact
with you!



I would like to invite you to review the following ms submitted for
publication to  Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics:


*Caste-specific quantitative genetics and phylogenetic signal analysis in
Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)*



Insect caste development and their morphological divergence are not yet
studied well, especially in Ants. However, the role of developmental and
genetic integration in evolution is contentious. In our study, we tried to
reveal the quantitative genetics selection responses, phylogenetic signal,
and evolutionary origin of weaver ant female caste (queen, major and
minor).

The widening and lengthening of the head region, as well as the
well-developed mandibular process, is the major heritable characteristic
found in the major worker ants, we hypothesized that these conserved and
heritable characteristics may help the major worker ants for defense and
foraging purposes and other nest-building function aspects. However, in the
case of minor worker ants, small heads and the reduced mandibular process
is the highly heritable characteristics. Compared to worker ants, in queen,
a highly heritable and conserved morphological character is well developed
thoracic regions and large size abdomen. Interesting to note that, there is
no detectable phylogenetic signal across the female cast of the Asian
weaver ants, which suggested that, the caste development and morphological
divergence are environmentally modulated not by evolutionary conserved.
>From this study, we concluded that caste-specific morphological shape and
size are highly conserved traits and these traits are modulated by their
niche preferences.



If you can make it, it would be very appreciated.



Please let me know if you have some spare time to go through it to send you
the files.



Many thanks for your consideration,



Best regards,

Reza Zahiri
J Insect Biodivers Syst subject editor
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