US-U.K. Cooperative Research: Genetics of Physiological Differentiation in the Mussel Mytilus

该奖项将支持博士之间的合作研究。 南卡罗来纳州大学的托马斯J.希尔比什和博士。 Brian Bayne，海洋环境研究所， 英国普利茅斯 研究的目的是 研究生理变异的遗传基础， 两种贻贝贻贝在一个明显的区域 英格兰西南部的杂交。 该研究代表了 一个独特的机会来分析潜在的行为， 基因复合体的特征是很重要的， 生物体在自然环境中的生存。 在 此外，这项工作应该阐明基因的动态， 在物种重叠的地区流动。 遗传和生理分化发生在 更新世贻贝的异地种群。 一个分类群主要出现在冷水中，而 另一种是温水型。 在英格兰西南部， 分类群杂交，某些种群提供了一系列 基因型组合，使研究人员能够 生理分化的遗传学分析 两个taxa。 研究人员将利用生理学 这些特征可能解释了 两个taxa。 这个项目将受益于贝恩博士的 希尔比什博士在进化生理学方面的专业知识 生理进化遗传学背景。

This award will support collaborative research between Dr. Thomas J. Hilbish, University of South Carolina, and Dr. Brian Bayne, Institute for Marine Environmental Research, Plymouth, England. The objective of the research is to investigate the genetic basis of physiological variation in two species of the mussel Mytilus in an area of apparent hybridization in southwest England. The research represents a unique opportunity to analyze the behavior of potential gene complexes in traits known to be important to the survival of an organism in its natural environment. In addition the work should shed light on the dynamics of gene flow in an area of species overlap. Genetic and physiological differentiation occurred between allopatric populations of Mytilus during the Pleistocene. One taxon occurs predominantely in cold-water, while the other is a warm-water form. In southwest England the two taxa hybridize and certain populations provide an array of genotypic combinations that will allow the investigators to analyze the genetics of physiological differentiation of the two taxa. The investigators will utilize physiological traits that may explain the differences in biogeography of the two taxa. This project will benefit from Dr. Bayne's expertise in evolutionary physiology of the Dr. Hilbish's background in physiological-evolutionary genetics.