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

小行星9412813 该奖项将为DNA测序提供实验室用品，以提高博士研究生的论文工作。 正在研究的生物体是Cypridnid介形虫，一种生活在加勒比沃茨的非常小的甲壳纲动物，它表现出显着的生物发光求偶表演，就像萤火虫一样，每个物种都是特定的或独特的。 以前的工作使用形态学信息有助于揭示这个有趣的群体的一些成员之间的关系，但其他成员的关系仍有待解决，该项目的分子数据（来自3个线粒体基因的DNA序列）应该为此提供新的有用信息。 一旦已经建立了关系的遗传或模式，它可以用于测试关于生物发光显示行为序列的不同组分的进化的假设。 支持对研究生进行现代系统方法的培训，对于维持一支能够解决日益受到全球关注的生物多样性问题的科学家队伍至关重要。 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独特性很重要。 ***

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. ***