Evolution and Development of Polyphenism

非技术摘要提案编号9808641PI：Pfennig，David这项研究将解决这个问题：为什么以及如何具有相同遗传结构的个体有时会产生惊人的不同形式？这一问题将以铁锹蟾蜍蝌蚪为模型系统进行研究。铲足蝌蚪的不同寻常之处在于，任何给定的个体都可以发育成两种不同的形式。在摄取仙虾或其他蝌蚪后，典型的杂食性蝌蚪可能会改变它们的行为和发育，呈现出独特的肉食性形态，然后更快地蜕变成成年蟾蜍。这项研究的具体目标是：(1)确定是什么发育和生理过程导致这两种形式的产生，(2)确定这种变异是否有遗传基础，以及(3)确定使这两种形式保持在同一种群中的环境因素。大脚蝌蚪是研究和教授其他发育生物学和生态学的优秀模式动物。这项计划中的研究很重要，因为它将解决环境如何在发育过程中与生物体的基因相互作用，以产生替代形式。这类研究将提供对发展过程和发展在使生物体适应不断变化的环境方面的作用的重要洞察。

Non-Technical AbstractProposal No. 9808641PI: Pfennig, DavidThis research will address the question: Why and how do individuals with the same genetic constitution sometimes produce strikingly different forms? The problem will be investigated by using spadefoot toad tadpoles as a model system. Spadefoot toad tadpoles are unusual in that any given individual can develop into two different forms. Following ingestion of fairy shrimp or other tadpoles, typical omnivorous tadpoles may alter their behavior and development to assume a distinctive carnivorous form, which then metamorphoses into an adult toad more quickly. The specific goals of the research would be to: (1) determine what developmental and physiological processes cause these two forms to be produced, (2) determine if there is a genetic basis to the variation, and (3) identify the environmental factors that maintain the two forms within the same population.Spadefoot tadpoles are excellent model animals for studying and teaching others about developmental biology and ecology. The planned research is important in that it will address how the environment interacts with an organism's genes during development to produce alternative forms. Such research will provide critical insight into developmental processes and the role of development in enabling organisms to adapt to changing environments.