Ecology and evolution of obligate phytophagous mites
The host plant is the most important factor determinig the survival and development of obligate phytophagous organisms, such as eriophyoid mites. Understanding relationships between herbivores and their host plants is crucial for explaining the mechanisms of host specialization and the evolution of herbivore life-history traits. In our research, using experimental and molecular methods, we are exploring questions regarding the evolution of eriophyoid mite species complexes, especially those associated with cereals and other grasses. Currently, we are focusing on mechanisms of dispersal and their effects on the invasion potential of eriophyoid genotypes of interest.
Projects
A bidirectional selection experiment to test the evolution of specialization and dispersal in the invasive wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella
Funding: National Science Centre grant no. 2016/21/B/NZ8/00786
PI: Anna Skoracka
Co-investigators: Sara Magalhães, Lechosław Kuczyński, Mariusz Lewandowski, Jacek Radwan, Alicja Laska, Agnieszka Kiedrowicz, Kamila Karpicka-Ignatowska, Anna Radwańska, Jarek Raubic, Ewa Puchalska
Duration: 2017 – 2020
More info: project page
Dispersal strategies in eriophyoid mites
Funding: National Science Centre grant 2018/28/T/NZ8/00060
PI: Agnieszka Majer
Co-investigators: Anna Skoracka (supervisor)
Duration: 2014 – present
More info: project page
Specialization trade-offs and ecology of dispersal in phytophagous mites
PI: Alicja Laska
Co-investigators: Anna Skoracka, Mateusz Konczal (supervisors)
Duration: 2016 – present
More info: project page
Competition-dispersal trade-off in phytophagous mites
Funding: National Science Centre grant 2019/35/N/NZ8/02639
PI: Agnieszka Majer
Co-investigators: Anna Skoracka (supervisor), Lechosław Kuczyński, Anna Radwańska, Kamila Karpicka-Ignatowska
Duration: 2020 – present
More info: project page
Informed dispersal based on using chemical cues in phytophagous mites
Funding: National Science Centre grant no. 2019/35/N/NZ8/03377
PI: Kamila Karpicka-Ignatowska
Co-investigators: Anna Skoracka (supervisor), Lechosław Kuczyński, Katarzyna Markowska, Alicja Laska
Duration: 2020 – present
More info: project page
Host specialization-generalization trade-offs in an invasive wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella
Funding: National Science Centre grant no. 2017/27/N/NZ8/00305
PI: Alicja Laska
Co-investigators: Anna Skoracka (supervisor), Lechosław Kuczyński, Kamila Karpicka-Ignatowska, Anna Radwańska
Duration: 2018-2021
More info: project page
Developmental time of wheat curl mite
PI: Kamila Karpicka-Ignatowska
Co-investigators: Anna Skoracka (supervisor), Alicja Laska, Lechosław Kuczyński
Duration: 2016-2018
More info: project page
Aceria tosichella genome sequencing
Funding: National Science Centre grant no. 2017/27/N/NZ8/00305 and the Dean of Faculty of Biology AMU Grant no GDWB-07/2018
PI: Alicja Laska
Co-investigators: Mateusz Konczal & Anna Skoracka (supervisors), Mariusz Lewandowski, Lechosław Kuczyński
Duration: 2017 – ongoing
More info: project page
Spatial distribution of Aceria tosichella biotypes differing in their host specificity and invasive potential
Funding: National Science Centre grant no. 2011/03/B/NZ8/00129
PI: Anna Skoracka
Co-investigators: Lechosław Kuczyński, Mariusz Lewandowski, Wiktoria Szydło
Duration: 2012-2016
More info: project page
Genetic variation, host specialization and ability to transmit wheat streak mosaic virus of the wheat curl mite
Funding: National Science Centre, Poland, grant no.2011/01/N/NZ8/04540
PI: Wiktoria Szydło
Co-investigators: Anna Skoracka (supervision)
Duration: 2011 – 2014
More info: project page
