RUI: Gene Flow, Selection, and the Evolution of Premating Barriers

西华盛顿大学的梅里尔·彼得森获得了一笔拨款，用于研究两种杂交甲虫之间交配前障碍的进化。 这项研究结合了实验室和实地研究，以确定在75公里宽的杂交区进行杂交的成本。 在衡量这些成本时，研究将考虑多交配雌性优先使用同种雄性精子的程度，并衡量雌性可能从杂交交配中获得的物质利益。 这项研究还将确定选择与杂交之间的平衡，以及与杂交区外种群的遗传交换率，这一过程将倾向于抵消选择的影响。这项研究计划将解决长期存在的问题，关于物种之间的生殖障碍的演变，使用新的地理视角。 通过这样做，它将为物种形成研究中的基本问题提供答案。 该补助金还将通过夏季实习计划，少数民族进化研究机会（更多），支持代表性不足的本科生的培训和指导。 MORE的参与者将获得生物研究职业的实践经验和培训。

A grant has been awarded to Merrill Peterson, Western WashingtonUniversity, to study the evolution of premating barriers between twohybridizing beetle species. The research combines lab and field studies todetermine the costs of hybridizing across a 75km-wide zone ofhybridization. In measuring these costs, the research will take intoaccount the degree to which multiply-mating females preferentially usesperm from same-species males, and measure material benefits females maygain from hybrid matings. This study will also determine the balancebetween selection against hybridization and the rate of genetic exchangewith populations outside of the zone of hybridization, a process that willtend to counter the effects of selection. This research program will address long-standing questionsregarding the evolution of reproductive barriers between species, using anovel geographic perspective. In so doing, it will provide answers tofundamental questions in speciation research. The grant will also supportthe training and mentorship of underrepresented undergraduates through asummer internship program, Minority Opportunities for Research on Evolution(MORE). Participants in MORE will get hands-on experience and training forcareers in biological research.