EXPLORING MICROBIOME DIVERSITY ANALYSIS FOR ESTIMATING THE GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN OF AN INVASIVE PEST

Objective 1: Characterize the overall microbiome diversity of the Afrat-complex. I will generate 16S sequencing data for 200 specimens from 15 countries to 1) identify the primary components of the Afrat-complex microbiome and 2) assess if distinct bacteria are associated with the geographic origin of the host.Objective 2: Investigate which strains of Wolbachia are present in the Afrat-complex.I will generate wsp and MLST sequencing data for all specimens from objective 1 to 1) generate a current Wolbachia strain database for the Afrat-complex including previously published sequences, and 2) assess if distinct Wolbachia strains are associated with the geographic origin of the host.Objective 3: Travel to Brazil to teach a workshop on laboratory and bioinformatic methods used to research microbiome diversity in Tephritidae. I will travel to visit our collaborator Dr. Reinaldo Alves de Brito of the Federal University of São Carlos in São Carlos, Brazil to run a two-part workshop on the laboratory and bioinformatic methods used to study endosymbionts in tephritid species. This engagement in the broader tephritid collaborative network will provide valuable experience and foster continued research between labs.