S. I. Sheikh

Supergene evolution via gain of auto-regulation

The paper shows that the Papilio alphenor supergene evolved through the recruitment of six new cis-regulatory elements that enable allele-specific dsx expression.

Speciation in kleptoparasites of oak gall wasps often correlates with shifts into new tree habitats, tree organs, and gall morphospace

The paper investigates whether host shifts to new trees, organs, or gall morphologies drive diversification in oak gall wasp kleptoparasites, finding that most divergence events correlate with shifts to non-ancestral galls.

Conserved signaling pathways antagonize and synergize with co-opted doublesex to control development of novel mimetic butterfly wing patterns

This study shows how co-opted doublesex gene expression alters conserved signaling pathways to develop novel mimetic butterfly wing patterns.

The arthropod associates of 155 North American cynipid oak galls

The paper reports rearing records of arthropods from over 527,000 oak galls, identifying 151,075 animals and providing ecological and phylogenetic insights into gall-associated taxa.

Speciation in Nearctic oak gall wasps is frequently correlated with changes in host plant, host organ, or both.

This study investigates host shifts in Nearctic oak gall wasps and finds frequent shifts between host plants and organs, suggesting host shifts drive speciation in this group.

Ormyrus labotus Walker (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae): another generalist that should not be a generalist is not a generalist

The study reveals that the parasitic wasp Ormyrus labotus, considered a generalist, is actually a complex of multiple specialized species, highlighting the limitations of morphological classification.

Diversity, host ranges, and potential drivers of speciation among the inquiline enemies of oak gall wasps.

The paper examines host range and diversification in Synergus wasps using DNA barcodes, morphology, and ecology to identify species and assess host associations.