Life-History Evolution of the Pitcher-Plant Mosquito: Genetic Constraints and Genetic Differentiation of Population

这项为期一年的研究计划使用猪笼草蚊子Wyemyia smithii来回答三个问题。1)群体中个体的平均生长率(成年大小+成年天数)如何预测适合度(RC=增长能力)？2)生长率及其成年时大小的基础是可遗传的；这些性状是独立的还是相互依赖的(遗传相关)？3)近距离和远距离群体之间的适合度差异是否可以用独立(加性)的基因来解释，或者基因内部(显性)和/或基因之间的交互(上位性)是群体遗传分化的重要组成部分？蚊子种群传播疾病的能力(它们的媒介能力)取决于它们的成虫大小和寿命，这些特征应该从生长速度及其组成部分中预测出来。对前两个问题的回答将适用于蚊子控制。如果像他们怀疑的那样，基因相互作用在种群分化中很重要，那么孤立的种群可能蕴藏着比目前所认识到的更大的遗传变异。第三个问题的答案将关系到稀有或濒危物种的复苏，这些物种只作为支离破碎的种群存在。

The research planned for this 1 year grant seeks to answer three questions using the pitcher-plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii. 1) How does the average growth rate (size at adulthood + days to reach adulthood) of individuals in a population predict fitness (rc= capacity for increase)? 2) Are growth rate and its underpinnings of size at the time to adulthood heritable traits; are these traits independent or interdependent (genetically correlated)? 3) Can variation in fitness between nearby and distant populations be explained by genes acting independently (additively) or is interaction within genes (dominance) and/or between genes (epistasis) an important component of genetic differentiation of populations? The ability of mosquito populations to transmit disease (their vectorial capacity) depends upon their adult size and longevity, traits which should be predictable from growth rate and its components. Answers to the first two questions will then have application for mosquito control. If, as they suspect, gene interactions are important in population differentiation, isolated populations may be harboring greater genetic variation than is presently appreciated. Answers to the third question will then bear on the recovery of rare or endangered species that persist only as fragmented populations.