Laboratory Set-up for Studies of Population and Conservation Genetics

这个项目包括为生态和进化遗传学的研究项目建立实验室。最初的研究重点将是远缘繁殖衰退：种群间杂交中适合度降低的现象。这将涉及三管齐下的方法。首先，将通过对微型甲壳动物加州虎的育种研究和分子分析来评估导致远交衰退的遗传机制，在这种物种中，种群间杂交已被证明导致适应度大幅下降。其次，将通过测量种群间杂交在其他生物中的适合性结果来评估异种繁殖抑制的普遍性，首先是对潮间带鱼类物种的研究。第三，计算机模拟将被用来确定导致近亲繁殖衰退的因素。近亲繁殖衰退是保护生物学家非常感兴趣的，因为由于意外引入和有计划地试图扩大种群规模，种群间转移的频率正在增加。与此同时，这种种群混合的健康后果在很大程度上仍不得而知。这一现象也引起了物种形成研究人员的极大兴趣，因为它标志着生殖隔离的第一阶段。对于那些对保护生物多样性感兴趣的人来说，了解物种形成的过程极其重要。

9904694EdmandsThis project involves laboratory set-up for a research program in ecological and evolutionary genetics. The initial research focus will be on outbreeding depression: the phenomenon of reduced fitness in interpopulation hybrids. This will involve a 3-pronged approach. First, genetic mechanisms underlying outbreeding depression will be assessed via breeding studies and molecular analyses using the microcrustacean Tigriopus californicus, a species in which interpopulation hybridization has been shown to result in substantially reduced fitness. Second, the generality of outbreeding depression will be assessed by measuring fitness consequences of interpopulation hybridization in other organisms, beginning with a study of an intertidal fish species. Third, computer simulations will be used to determine factors contributing to outbreeding depression.Outbreeding depression is of considerable interest to conservation biologists because the frequency of interpopulation transfers is increasing, due both to accidental introductions and planned attempts to bolster population size. Meanwhile, the fitness consequences of this population mixing remain largely unknown. The phenomenon is also of great interest to those studying speciation, because it marks the first stage of reproductive isolation. Understanding the process of speciation is extremely important to those interested in preserving biodiversity.