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Nate Lo
Origins and evolution of Australian burrowing bush cockroaches
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Not all cockroaches were created
equal. Although some are repulsive, smelly and a nuisance, others are aesthetically
pleasing, odourless and do important work in the wild. Australian burrowing
bush cockroaches (Geoscapheinae, Panesthiinae) fit into the latter category.
Considered among the most 'highly evolved' and long-lived of all cockroaches,
they construct burrows up to a metre deep underground, to which they transport
dried eucalyptus leaves to feed upon. |
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They therefore play an important
role in the ecology of a number of arid Australian habitats. They are also
cute - so much so that they have become popular pets here and around the
globe. By sequencing their genes as well as those of their relatives in
Asia, we have shown that they evolved from wood-feeding ancestors that made
their way into Australia following the collision between the Australian
and Asian tectonic plates around 15 million years ago. |
 Geoscapheinae habitat. Photo H.A. Rose |
Australia - once covered by rainforest - started to dry up around around this time, and the wood-feeders lost their moist, green habitats. The result was a burrowing cockroach adapted to deal with drier climates. We are interested in knowing if this clever adaptation occurred only once, or multiple times 'in parallel' in different parts of Australia. Our results will aid the understanding of long-term aridification in this country, and its effects on our unique biota. |
Publications relevant to this research: 4, 10
