Dissertation Research: Evolution and Endocrinology of Accelerated Metamorphosis

PI：HAYES 9800886 PI的研究考察了适应沙漠的两栖动物快速变态及其激素控制的进化。新大陆的铲足蟾蜍生活在美国的沙漠中，在短暂的水池中繁殖，它们在不到两周的时间里极快地蜕变，这对避免干燥很重要。与新大陆铲足蟾蜍最近的亲戚是欧洲、亚洲和北非的旧大陆铲足蟾蜍和欧芹蛙，并且不知道它们有快速的变态。PI将确定铲足蟾蜍快速变态的进化起源，并阐明允许其进化的激素机制。这项研究是第一次研究两栖动物沙漠生存的关键适应生理学-快速变态。PI正在整合自然历史，系统发育分析和实验生理学到进化的角度来看。

PI: HAYES 9800886 The PIs study examines the evolution of rapid metamorphosis and its hormonal control in desert-adapted amphibians. New World spadefoot toads live in American deserts and breed in ephemeral pools where their extremely rapid metamorphosis in less than two weeks is important to avoid desiccation. The closest relatives to the New World spadefoot toads are the Old World spadefoot toads and parsley frogs of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and are not known to have rapid metamorphosis. The PIs will determine the evolutionary origin of rapid metamorphosis in spadefoot toads and elucidate the hormonal mechanism that allowed for its evolution. This research is the first to examine the physiology of a key-adaptation for amphibian desert survival -- rapid metamorphosis. The PIs are integrating natural history, phylogenetic analysis, and experimental physiology into an evolutionary perspective.