PYI: Studies in Evolutionary Physiology

将在进化生理学方面进行两项互补的研究。最终目标是阐明个体和物种之间可能存在的组织表现差异的基础，并了解如何以及如何以多快的速度通过人工或自然选择(有机进化)来改变生理表现能力。首先，用小鼠进行的人工选择实验将测试哪些接近的生理和生化因素限制了运动能力增强的进化。目前，跨物种的比较数据不能用标准的统计检验进行适当的分析，因为物种是以等级方式从共同祖先那里进化而来的，因此在生物学上都不是不独立的。第二个研究重点将涉及利用计算机模拟技术开发和比较替代统计方法，以纠正系统发育的非独立性，从而为比较(种间)数据提供有效的显著性检验和参数估计。

Two complementary studies will be undertaken in evolutionary physiology. The ultimate goal is to elucidate the bases for differences in organismal performance that may exist among individuals and species, and to understand how and how rapidly capacities for physiological performance may be modified through artificial or natural selection (organic evolution). First, artificial selection experiments with mice will test what proximate physiological and biochemical factors are limiting to the evolution of increased capacities for locomotor performance. At present, cross species comparative data cannot be properly analyzed with standard statistical tests, because species are descended from common ancestors in a hierarchical fashion, and so are neither biologically not statistically independent. A second research thrust will involve using computer simulation techniques to develop and compare alternative statistical methods to correct for phylogenetic non-independence and so provide valid significance tests and parameter estimates for comparative (interspecific) data.