Evolution and Development of Polyphenism

这项研究将解决这样一个问题：为什么以及如何使具有相同遗传组成的个体有时产生惊人的不同形式？本研究将以铲足蟾蜍蝌蚪为模型系统，探讨此问题。铲足蟾蜍蝌蚪是不寻常的，因为任何给定的个人可以发展成两种不同的形式。在摄入仙虾或其他蝌蚪后，典型的杂食性蝌蚪可能会改变它们的行为和发育，以呈现出独特的食肉形式，然后更快地蜕变成成年蟾蜍。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）确定是否有一个遗传基础的变化，（3）确定环境因素，保持在同一种群的两种形式。spadefoot蝌蚪是很好的模式动物，研究和教导他人关于发育生物学和生态学。计划中的研究很重要，因为它将解决环境如何与生物体的基因在发育过程中相互作用，以产生替代形式。这种研究将提供关键的洞察力发展过程和发展的作用，使生物体适应不断变化的环境。

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.