Student 10-Minute Presentation
Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity
Student
Student Competition
Reese Hunter Yeatman
University of New Hampshire
Huntingtown, Maryland
István Mikó
Collections Manager
University of New Hampshire
Strafford, New Hampshire
Thomas van de Kamp
Scientist
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Monique Raymond
University of New Hampshire
Newmarket, New Hampshire
Nasonia wasps are a genus of parasitoid wasps known to be excellent model organisms for studies regarding speciation due to being composed of multiple closely related species including N.vitripennis, N.giraulti, and N.longicornis. One area of research interest is the Nasonia brain: the command center of Nasonia's unique parasitic behaviors. In the brain are the olfactory lobes: organs that receive chemical signals from the outside world which are then processed as signals in the brain. These signals are key to the function of the mushroom bodies: organs consisting of two round objects called calices supported by a pedunculus. Mushroom bodies are associated with odorant recognition and higher learning in insects.