Dissertation Research: Evolution of Luminescent Signals in Cypridinid Ostracodes: A Molecular Phylogenetic Approach

9412813 Morin这个奖项将为DNA测序提供实验室用品，以加强博士研究生的论文工作。正在研究的生物是鲤科介形虫，一种生活在加勒比海水域的非常小的甲壳类动物，表现出显著的生物发光求偶表现，就像萤火虫一样，对每个物种都是特定的或独特的。先前利用形态信息的工作有助于揭示这一有趣群体中一些成员之间的关系，但其他成员之间的关系仍有待解决，该项目的分子数据(来自3个线粒体基因的DNA序列)将为此目的提供新的有用信息。一旦建立了系统发展史或关系模式，就可以利用它来测试关于生物发光显示行为序列的不同组成部分的进化的假设。支持对研究生进行现代系统方法论培训，对于保持一支能够解决日益引起全球关注的生物多样性问题和问题的科学家队伍非常重要。这项研究的结果可以用来阐明求偶行为的模式，这对维持生殖隔离或物种的区别性很重要。***

9412813 MORIN This award will provide laboratory supplies for DNA sequencing to enhance the dissertation work of a PhD graduate student. The organisms being studied are cypridnid ostracodes, very small Crustacea which live in Caribbean waters and exhibit remarkable bioluminescent courtship displays that, like fireflies, are specific or distinctive for each species. Prior work using morphological information has helped to divulge relationships among some members of this interesting group but the relationships of other members remain to be resolved and the molecular data (DNA sequences from 3 mitochondrial genes) of this project should contribute new and useful information for this purpose. Once a phylogeny or pattern of relationships has been established, it can be utilized in testing hypotheses about the evolution of different components of the sequence of bioluminescent display behaviors. %%% Support for the training of graduate students in modern systematic methodologies is important for maintaining a workforce of scientists capable of addressing the questions and issues of biodiversity which are of increasing global concern. The results of this study can be used to elucidate patterns of courtship behavior that are important for maintaining reproductive isolation or the distinctness of species. ***