The Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism in Plumage: A Phylogenetic Perspective

凯文·J·伯恩斯羽毛中性别二态的进化：系统发育的观点这项研究使用了一组鸟类的进化树来研究雄性和雌性在羽毛上差异的进化。各种生物的进化树为羽毛颜色进化的经典观点提供了一个新的视角。例如，男性的装饰品可能会经常丢失，而女性往往会进化出复杂的特征。在这项研究中，三个基因的DNA序列将被用来重建坦纳鸟和雀类物种的进化树。由此产生的进化树将被用来检验羽毛性别差异的进化模式。不同类型羽毛之间的变化将被制表，男性羽毛的变化频率将与女性羽毛的变化频率进行比较。除了提供有关雄性和雌性羽毛差异进化的信息外，该项目产生的数据还将涉及各种领域的问题，包括中南美洲的生物地理、鸟类中紫外线染色的流行情况、食性特征的演变以及进化树的构建方法。除了这一建议的科学影响外，该项目还将为几名本科生和研究生提供培训和教育机会。深圳州立大学是一个多元化的校园，学生中没有种族群体占多数。预计参与该项目的学生将反映校园中所看到的多样性。研究结果将在科学期刊、大众媒体和观鸟文献中广泛传播。分子序列数据和羽毛数据都将在线访问。该项目的成果还将通过提供可纳入讲座和探究式活动的具体实例，加强首席调查员的教学努力。

Kevin J. BurnsThe Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism in Plumage: A Phylogenetic Perspective This study uses an evolutionary tree of a group of birds to investigate the evolution of differences between males and females in plumage. Evolutionary trees of a variety of organisms are providing a new perspective to classical ideas about the evolution of plumage coloration. For example, male ornaments can be lost frequently, and females often evolve elaborate traits. In this study, DNA sequences of three genes will be used to reconstruct an evolutionary tree for species of tanagers and finches. The resulting evolutionary tree will be used to examine patterns of evolution of sexual differences in plumage. Transformations between different types of plumage will be tabulated and the frequency of changes in male plumage will be compared to the frequency of changes in female plumage. In addition to providing information on the evolution of male and female plumage differences, the data resulting from this project will also address questions in a variety of areas including the biogeography of Central and South America, the prevalence of ultraviolet coloration in birds, the evolution of feeding characteristics, and evolutionary tree constructing methods. Beyond scientific impacts of this proposal, this project will also provide training and educational opportunities for several students, at both the undergraduate and graduate level. SDSU is a diverse campus, with no racial group making up a majority of the students. It is expected that the students that work on this project will reflect the diversity seen on campus. Results will be disseminated broadly within scientific journals, the popular media, and bird-watching literature. Both the molecular sequence data and the plumage data will be made accessible online. The teaching efforts of the principal investigator will also be enhanced by the results of this project by providing specific examples that can be included in lectures and inquiry-based activities.