Collaborative Research: mtDNA and the Evolution of Fishes

Vrijenhoek和Avise将调查线粒体DNA（mtDNA） 单性Poeciliopsis鱼类的变异和生殖， 它们的两性祖先为了利用 这些非典型遗传系统提供的优势， 解决两个对进化论具有广泛意义的问题 生物学：（1）线粒体DNA的遗传是严格的母系遗传吗？ 和 (2)什么是进化的长寿和系统发育 通过无性或半无性繁殖的脊椎动物的关系， 性的手段？ 将研究杂交遗传菌株， 父系线粒体DNA的证据表明， 线粒体DNA向合子的低水平“父系泄漏”。 两 雌核发育和杂交发育的Poeciliopsis将在 线粒体DNA遗传学术语。 通过比较线粒体DNA的变异性， 在单性品系和它们的有性繁殖中 祖细胞，研究人员将估计年龄，克隆 以及鱼类的系统发育起源。 结果应有助于解决长期存在的关切， 单性分类群的进化寿命， 无性繁殖的进化结果

Vrijenhoek and Avise will survey mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation and phylogeny in unisexual Poeciliopsis fishes and their bisexual progenitors in order to capitalize upon the unique advantages afforded by these atypical genetic systems for addressing two questions of broad significance to evolutionary biology: (1) is the inheritance of mtDNA strictly maternal? and (2) what are the evolutionary longevities and phylogenetic relationships of vertebrates that reproduce by asexual or semi- sexual means? The hybridogenetic strains will be studied for evidence of paternally-derived mtDNA indicative of occasional, low-level "paternal leakage" of mtDNA into zygotes. Both gynogenetic and hybridogenetic Poeciliopsis will be studied in terms of mtDNA phylogeny. By comparing mtDNA variability within and among the unisexual strains and their sexually-reproducing progenitors, the investigators will estimate the ages, clonal diversities, and phylogenetic origins of fish in this complex. Results should help in addressing long-standing concerns about the evolutionary longevities of unisexual taxa, and hence about the evolutionary consequences of asexual reproduction.