CAREER: Adaptive Basis of Host-Parasite Cospeciation

9703003克莱顿 犹他州大学的戴尔克莱顿将进行旨在阐明寄生虫对一种或多种宿主的特异性差异的因素的研究。 具体来说，克莱顿将首先重建一组新世界鸽子和两组体外寄生羽虱的分子谱系。 其中一个虱群是在翅膀上发现的，并不是特定的宿主物种。而另一组在腹部发现，并且是宿主特异性的。 系谱分析将允许识别虱子从一个宿主转换到另一个宿主的实例，并提供宿主-寄生虫关联所涉及的宏观进化事件的线索。 微进化事件将通过一系列的实验进行评估，在一个“圆顶”（特雷西鸟在湖城，UT），其中克莱顿将能够进行控制实验，以检查因素，如（一）虱子传播能力，（二）差异虱子脆弱性主机防御，和（三）不同强度的种间竞争。该项目将被纳入PI教授的课件中，并与Tracy Aviary建立了研究和教育合作。 将展示解释性标志，并将建立一个公共计算机显示器，以解释正在进行的研究。 研究生和本科生都将广泛参与该项目。

9703003 Clayton Dale Clayton of the University of Utah will carry out research designed to elucidate factors responsible for differences in the specificity of parasites to one or more kinds of hosts. Specifically, Clayton will first reconstruct molecular genealogies of a group of New World doves and of two groups of ectoparasitic feather lice. One of the louse groups is found on wings and is not specific as to host species. Whereas the other group is found on the abdomen and is host-specific. The genealogical analysis will permit identification of instances where lice have switched from one host to another and provide clues to macroevolutionary events involved in host-parasite association. Microevolutionary events will be assessed via a series of experiments in a "dove-dome" (Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City, UT) where Clayton will be able to carry out controlled experiments to examine factors such as (i) lice dispersal capability, (ii) differential lice vulnerability to host defenses, and (iii) different intensities of interspecific competition. The project will be incorporated into courseware taught by the PI, and collaboration has been established with Tracy Aviary for research and education. Interpretive signs will be displayed and a public computer display will be established to explain the research in progress. Both graduate and undergraduate students will be involved extensively in the project.