Speciation in Darwin's Finches

物种形成是进化过程中产生生物多样性的基本过程。对于它是如何发生的，以及责任机制是什么，存在着很大的争议。在理解方面的最新进展来自实验室中对密切相关物种的遗传分析。自然界的研究对导致物种形成的生态环境和微进化力量知之甚少。这项拟议的研究利用了加拉帕戈斯群岛上达尔文雀类提供的异常有利的条件。他们是一个完整的群体，生活在一个基本上不受干扰的环境中。30年来，人们在达芙妮小岛上对四个物种进行了深入的研究。在此基础上，将结合多种方法对物种形成过程中不同阶段的种群进行调查；直接观察单独标记的鸟类以确定繁殖模式和生存，以及对录音歌曲的实验回放做出反应以确定物种识别的行为限制。这一研究结果将有助于阐明自然环境下物种形成的机制。这有两个更广泛的影响。首先，这项研究将阐明影响和维持需要保护的小种群和潜在濒危种群的遗传变异的因素。第二，长期研究的结果将在媒体中发挥教育作用。

Speciation is the fundamental process in evolution that generates biological diversity. There is much debate on how it occurs and what the responsible mechanisms are. Most recent advances in understanding have come from genetic analyses of closely related species in the laboratory. Less is known from studies in nature about the ecological circumstances and microevolutionary forces responsible for speciation. The proposed research takes advantage of an exceptionally favorable situation provided by Darwin's Finches on the Galapagos islands. They are an intact group living in a largely undisturbed environment. Four species have been intensively studied on the small island of Daphne Major for 30 years. Building on this, populations at different stages in the speciation process will be investigated by a combination of methods; direct observations of individually marked birds to determine breeding patterns and survival, and responses to experimental playback of tape-recorded songs to determine behavioral limits to species recognition. Results of this research will help to clarify the mechanisms of speciation under natural circumstances. There are two broader impacts. First, the research will elucidate factors that influence and maintain genetic variation in small and potentially endangered populations in need of conservation. Second, results of the long-term study will serve an educational function in the media.