Dissertation Research: Genetic basis of Kin Selection in Plethodon

亲缘选择理论预测，与同种的远亲动物相比，近亲动物将表现出更多的合作。这个项目将调查北美东部常见的森林居民红背火蜥蜴是否符合近亲选择理论的预测。分子遗传技术(“DNA指纹”)将被用来确定被测试个体的遗传关系。这个项目代表了分子遗传技术在生态学问题上的令人兴奋的应用。这种跨学科的方法在经验和理论上都为推动科学的发展提供了强大的希望。

Kin selection theory predicts that closely related animals will exhibit more cooperation than will more distantly related animals of the same species. This project will investigate whether red-backed salamanders, a common inhabitant of forests in eastern North America, conform to the predictions of kin selection theory. Molecular genetic technology ("DNA fingerprinting") will be used to determine the genetic relationships of individuals tested. This project represents an exciting application of molecular genetic techniques to ecological questions. The interdisciplinary approach holds strong promise for advancing science both empirically and theoretically.